Time for Goodbyes

Hard to believe I'm packing up all my belongings and heading for home.  I've so enjoyed my time in Kenya.  Who wants to join in the fun and sign up to come back next year?  I'm thinking more enjoying and less hard work...if that makes slug-infested sinks, hair-raising van rides and malaria-infested mosquitoes any more attractive!

It's been an amazing journey.  I'll miss every pair of mismatched shoes...

Every pair of paint-covered hands...

Every new friend...

Each delicious meal...

Every hard-working boy...

and subsequent load of laundry out to dry...

Every iron-pumping teenager...

My lovely sponsored child, Millecent...

and each beautiful face.

Thank you to all my friends, old and new, who followed along on my foray into social media.  If you know me well, I know you are so proud!!  It's been fun to share the love of so many lovely children.  Thank you, friends, who chose to sponsor a child, or are considering it.  (Just in case... www.mightyacornfoundation.org)  Your actions are truly life changing for a child from the slums.  Thank you all for sharing in this adventure.  :)

But let's get down to it!  So excited to get home.  I'm signing up for some love and hugs from my family and friends (and maybe a "cuddle" from my favorite Clunge Ambler Ethan, if he'll permit it).  Maria and Ethan have been at camp in Northern Minnesota, loving "the magical land of no electricity" for four weeks.  I doubt they have missed me but I imagine they will pretend so for my benefit.  

You want to see happy tears?!  Stop by International Falls on Friday night when I pick up Maria from Camp Ogichi Daa Kwe and swing by to see Ethan at Camp Kooch-i-ching for the infamous Friendship Dance (where else do boys hold hands and dance around a fire?!).  For joy!!

My best to all!

Tish

Visitor's Day!

Counting down to departure.  Ready to go home, collect my children from camp and eat a Dairy Queen Blizzard...but sad to see this wonderful experience end.  

It's Sunday...went to church this morning.  Once again, it was a rip-roaring adventure.  There was a Kenyan guest speaker with a Scottish accent...which I found comical.  Don't even really know what to say about the tent church experience because it is so over-the-top, dramatic and entertaining...oh, but obviously not entertaining enough for this weary church-goer.  

After church, I met up with my friend, Phil, from England and his friends, Damian, Lorna and Pauline.  I had met Phil at the Karibuni two weeks ago....and was sufficiently impressed because he is willing to risk life and limb and take a piki-piki into town.  (A piki-piki is an unlicensed motorbike taxi...yikes!)  His church in England recently built an orphanage in the interior of Kenya and his group had just returned from welcoming the first twenty residents.  He had expressed interest in seeing the Mighty Acorn House...so we made plans to do that today.  It was nice to share that beautiful building and the concept behind it with like-minded people.  

So, we are leaving on Tuesday...hard to believe.  I really wanted to say goodbye to some of the bigger kids who are at boarding school in Kitale...so Erick (number one ceiling painter...tall man in the photo), Irene (house mom dazzling in purple and pink) and I (frumpy in well worn and slightly stinky clothing that never seems to completely dry in the elusive Kenyan sun) went over to the Central Primary School for a visit.  

We didn't know it was "Visitor's Day" (the first Sunday of every month, in case you want to stop by) but as soon as we arrived at the school gate, we saw all the other families there visiting their children.  I'm so glad we went!  The Seeds kids saw our van and went crazy...they were so happy!  We had some sodas, toured the grounds and visited for an hour or so.  The Seeds kids were at the top of the popularity pole today because they had a mzungu visitor...so glad I could contribute!  

(Check out the two boys sharing my iPod Nano...which hasn't had power for about three days...but they look cool anyway.)

The kids had test results from last week's exams posted...so I had to visit each classroom and read off the scores for 14 children.  Oddly, the scores were posted eight feet off the ground so I had to stand on a desk to read them.  Why do I have to risk my life to read a test score?!  Anyone?   

Once again, those big boys, Abuid, Laban, Andrew and Grivin, stole my heart.  When it came time to say goodbye, I cried (of course!) and then Abuid was getting teary and Grivin started to cry.  I apologized for crying and told them this is just what mothers do...can't be helped.  Such awesome boys...I will miss them.  

Tish

Blowing Bubbles...

Prime, paint, trim.  Prime, paint, trim.  What will laundry or family meals look like when I get home when this has been my mantra for almost three weeks?  The family could be in some trouble.

Most children go to school on Saturday morning...except Lucky Mike!  (I might take him to Vegas.  Baby needs new shoes!!)  (Wait a minute, can you see one of these kids in Vegas?!  Talk about excess!!  Venetian canals, $2000 purses, the Bellagio fountain?!  I think they would go into shock.)  

Back to the blog, people.  For some reason, Mike's school is in session only Monday through Friday.  Let me define "lucky" for you...having an entire orphanage and grounds to yourself that you normally share with 88 other running, screaming, jumping children of various sizes and ages.  That's better than lucky!, especially when you are a quiet kid like Mike.  

He's quiet but he likes his jewelry...also has a very cool KENYA bracelet...might get one for Ethan.

Mike and I painted trim all morning...and I was definitely carrying the conversation.  I asked him if he was shy, and he shrugged his shoulders and looked down...which I decoded as "yes."  I told him we were a good pair because I talk ALOT!  And if we both talked ALOT, it would be chaos.  And if neither of us talked, it would be very quiet, no information would ever be exchanged, and we wouldn't get to know each other.  He thought that was clever...I could tell by his smile.  (I live for the day when 15 year old boys think I'm clever!)   

Anyway, Deanna and Denise were finishing trim that was already nailed in place at ceiling. Thankyounotverymuch, Francis the trim carpenter!  They stood on rickety tables all day priming and painting trim and correcting various other mistakes at the ceiling/wall juncture.  They can't work miracles so don't expect missing chunks of wall to magically reappear.  

Jenna painted (corrected) the bottom four inches of wall...where the cement-slinging floor trim guys left a huge mess and holes in the plaster from nails.  When I asked them to protect the beautifully painted walls before their cement slinging, I didn't expect them to nail 12 inch scrap boards to the wall.  Clearly, they didn't  think about the chunks of plaster that would fall out from the nail holes when they were done.  This is not "Do It Right The First Time" (a magnet that was on our fridge growing up...does that explain me better?!)  The rework on this job would send any US manager to the loony bin.

Jenna cut out at noon when the kids got home from school.  These kids can't get enough of her...and they love to point out that she is "mtoto" (a child).

Top row:  Irene, Jenna, and Hilda 

Bottom row:  Gordon, Phyllis and (Cute as a) Button

Early last week, (I think...time is starting to blur a bit.), three new children, Steven, Dilan and Rebekah, arrived at the orphanage.  I think I mentioned them in "Shoes for 25, Please!"  because Steven and Dilan arrived with no shoes.  I saw Dilan today blowing bubbles in the gathering area of the existing orphanage.

Such a simple thing.  Blowing bubbles.  He was all alone in the room...the other children were outside playing.  He concentrated on creating each bubble, watching its progress through the room until it burst.  And then he would look at me, the silent mzungu observer, and give me a big smile or giggle, and start the process all over again.  Joy over a simple childhood thing.  It was very sweet.  

After a rock star photo shoot, we started to talk about how he and his brother were new to the orphanage and he is doing fine.  I asked to see his bunk and he proudly showed me where he shared a bed with Pius (also known as Sanya).  When Sanya first came to the orphanage, another boy shared his bed and his clothes with him so he is paying it forward.  That's the start of an awesome young man!

I took this photo of Alice (not excited to be by her brothers), Clinton and Brian...simply because I know Denise D. refreshes my blog three times a day (I'm in Africa, Denise...couldn't post three times a day if I wanted to!!) and because I knew Brian's ever-present snazzy suit coat would make her smile.  :)

Tish

Another Day in Paradise or Smell My Shoulder

The title of this blog should be "Happy Birthday, Jenna and Deanna!" but I had so many other good choices!!  

We are currently having a wild and crazy birthday celebration at The Coffee Shop in happening downtown Kitale.  Waiting patiently (or not) for chocolate cake!  The treats here are not nearly as sweet as at home.  Looking forward to a Dairy Queen Blizzard (Oreo Cookie, please) when I get home.

We were out in the sun all day (finally a sunny day!!) painting trim, and are all a little tired and a bit crispy.  (After so many days of rain, we forgot the sunscreen!)  Just to give you an idea of how worn out we are...when the proprietor informed Deanna she was out of Coke Zero and Diet Coke, she said, "How about a beer?"    

Back to the shenanigans at the worksite.  When I was the only mzungu in town, the work crew always wanted to take a picture with me.  As soon as Jenna came to the party, everything changed.  Today she told her mother, "Smell my shoulder." Jenna had posed for 11 consecutive photos...with 11 consecutive armpits resting on her shoulder.  And, FYI, an armpit in Africa is very different than an armpit in the US. 

Smelly shoulders aside, all girls' rooms are painted with two coats of paint!  All the trim has been painted...though workmen with dirty hands putting up the oil based painted trim is not working out so well.  Need to talk to my friend, Francis, about that.  Francis is the lead trim carpenter...using that term loosely...who asked for my contact information in America so he could get in touch with me.  I told him, "That's not necessary and that's not appropriate."  Sometimes, it's best to be direct.  :)  But I wonder how he'll respond when I ask him to ask his workers to wash their hands and be careful with the painted trim.  (Sorta wishing I had given him my number!!)  Maybe I'll just show Babu the sloppy work and let him handle it...

I've commented before on the accommodations.  The Hyatt it is not, as Deanna would say.  We've tried the Karibuni, and the Guesthouse...and now we were thinking about testing out the Paradise Hotel.  

It's conveniently located just at the juncture from the main "road" (using that term loosely as well) to the orphanage...shorter commute.  It might have better WiFi...more access to home.  And maybe even a masseuse for our sore shoulders and some chocolates on our pillow each night!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed the "Umwivali" next store is restaurant because then we wouldn't have to work about meals. :)

And this next ditty is such a common occurrence, I'm not even sure it's worth mentioning!  There is so much traffic on "the road", small three wheeled motorized taxis, motorcycles beyond belief, piki-pikis (sort of a taxi on a bike...you sit on the back), trucks, people walking everywhere, and , of course, live stock!!

I've seen enough backsides of cows and sheep on this trip to last me a life time.  Their driver (sometimes a small boy, 8 or 9 years old) usually taps them over to the side and we pass by unscathed.  And it's not like they are slowing us down.  We move at a such a slow pace due to the ruts and bumps in the road.

Like I said...just another day in paradise!

Tish

Sponsors, Sponsors, Everywhere

Just one last note...when I arrived in Kenya, exhausted and barely functioning on July 18th, the Mighty Acorn Foundation had sponsors for 17 girls at the new orphanage (also previously referred to by me as "The Big House" or "the Monstrosity").  I just checked the website, in a rare moment of WiFi at 11:37 p.m. (plug: www.mightyacornfoundation.org) and 52 girls have been sponsored.  Wow!  Thank you, thank you to all the sponsors who have opened their hearts (and let's be honest, wallets) to a child on the other side of the planet.  I haven't had a chance to check each sponsored child to see who sponsored them, but when I get home...and have fast internet...I'm going to do that.  And sponsors, if I know you,  you can expect an actual hand-written snail mail letter from me (they are so rare, you should probably frame it) of thanks and appreciation.

I am here.  I have heard their stories.  I have seen the conditions they have escaped.  And, most importantly, I have seen the benefits of a safe and loving home for these children.   Though noisy, crowded and somewhat chaotic...it's a wonderful place to be.

Tish

My Boys

Guess who crawled out of the drain today?  And you thought I was kidding!  (Reference the last bit of "Amka - Wake Up" and you'll be in on the joke.)    

Deanna asked, "Are there any poisonous lizards in Kenya?"  No idea.  You are on your own, my girlfriend!  Just recently decided I'm going to avoid all sinks for the duration of my visit.  Have no fear.  He was quite small...1 1/2 inches long and sort of cute, actually.

Out at the orphanage, trim seemed to be the theme of the day.  Denise, Jenna and Deanna picked up where the CO team left off...priming all the trim in the storage room.  It was a beautiful day to be outside.  Just be prepared to move quickly at the first sight of a rain cloud...it rains every afternoon.  Kenya is sort of like Florida in that way...well, not really.  Actually, not at all.

Today was the CO group's last day helping us.  :(  They were such an amazing bunch of people...I really enjoyed my time with them.  We are going to miss them.  But the good news is I have like 10 places to stay in Colorado Springs next time I go there!!

This is a photo of the entire raucous crowd...CO team, MJC team, 60 some children and staff.  Smiles all the way around.

The kids came in to see the artwork after returning from school...

and proved once again, that kids all around the world are the same.  Goofy faces everyone!  Veronica, Beryl, Jenna, Irene, Mike and Gordon remind us that gettin' a little crazy is fun!

My man, Mike, was a big help to me this evening when it was time to clean the brushes, rollers and trays.  Might have something to do with the very large chocolate bars I slid under his pillow and under Brian's pillow after they helped me with some jobs on Sunday night...not quite sure.  Nonetheless, the boy can clean...you can tell he's done some laundry in his day.

Mike and Brian...couldn't decide which of these photos to include...so you get to see both!  Love their personalities in the first one...and just such happy, handsome boys in the second.

I love these boys...and I'll tell you why.  They are stand up, hard-working, polite young men who have a real sense of responsibility toward the younger kids.  And their stories show me that this orphanage works.  

Richard personally took Mike from the slums.  He was addicted to sniffing glue and had a one way ticket to H, E, double toothpicks (as we say at the Teel household...where you also aren't allowed to say "crap" unless you are in the treehouse with your friends).  When he first came to the orphanage, Judy (the social worker) told me he would throw plates of food at her and rant...and now he willingly helps me clean my dirty paint trays and carries my back pack.  Come on!!

And Brian, sweet Brian, was a thief!  Judy said you couldn't leave anything anywhere...it would disappear and he would look you right in the eye and, quite convincingly, claim he knew nothing.  But with love and patience and security, he has grown into an awesome boy.  I mean, I call him my Swahili "mwalimu" (pay attention, people..."teacher"). He takes the time to slowly speak each word, form each syllable, and repeat it over and over until I get it.  The instant gratification required by "the thief" has been replaced by patience.  He also has a great sense of fun.  I always catch his eye in a crowd and give him the two-fingered "I'm keeping my eye on you" look...and I'm rewarded with that beautiful smile.

And one more photo of my friend, Collins...

Remember how I told you how impressed I am with Kenyan creativity and resourcefulness?  Well, clearly, it starts at a young age.  Collins fashioned a camera (Canon Supershot maybe??) out of pipe cleaner complete with rotating zoom lens. He wields his creation like a true paparazzi!  Smile! Checka, cheka!

Tish

  

Amka - Wake Up

Our morning was so much fun.  At 4:30 a.m., the alarm went off.  At 5:00 a.m., Phillip picked us up.  At 5:30 a.m., we were tiptoeing through the big boys dorm (sort of a converted shed) getting ready to gently pat some backs and whisper "amka" (wake up).  Just like boys everywhere their heads were buried under their blankets and they resisted waking up.  But when they did, and saw us, their eyes were wide open and a bit of confusion registered on their faces...something along the lines of "what is this white woman doing in my room?"  The rest of the gang went to wake up the younger kids, but I stayed with the bigger boys (just love these boys) making sure to each one got some extra love and affection.  

We brought donuts and juice for breakfast...and no, this isn't trick photography.  Brian is all smiles as he eats the biggest donut in the history of treats!  (Just for you, Denise D!)  Not very sweet...no sugar coating...but monstrously big and delicious.  (For me, make it a powdered jelly donut, same size, and it would be the perfect day.)  And then, my favorite part...we made a tunnel along with the other staff for the kids to run through as they climbed on the bus.  We hooted and hollered like we were cheering them on...they loved it.  Of course, they were trying to tickle our armpits as they ran by...rascals!

We started painting at 6:30 a.m. just after the kids left for school.  Why not?!  Becki and Jodi had finished one room last night.  Check it out...the green room is adorable.

And today they finished another room...the purple room is too cute!

Clearly, Becki and Jodi need a return trip to Kenya because there are 10 rooms of girls who are going to be extremely jealous.

We also went to the Seeds Academy school today for lunch.  As we stepped out of the bus, we were manhandled like One Direction at a shopping mall.  Gosh, it's good to be loved!

It was a quick visit but an energizing one.  You know, with all this painting at the monstrosity, we need to remember to take time to recharge our batteries (DW was right...again!!).  And who better to light us up than these smiling and appreciative faces.  :)

So, back to the orphanage for painting in the afternoon and a little time with the kids when they got home from school.  The bubbles were a big hit...thank you, Deanna!  And then, we headed home...but, you know, something always has to happen.

Yes, it's a slug...crawling on our sink.  And if you can't tell from the picture...slimy, about 4 inches long and quite ugly.  We suspect he came from the drain...which makes us all feel quite secure.  What else is going to come out of the drain?!  Yikes.

Tish

 

Odds & Ends

Just bits and pieces today...we didn't have any time with the kids so no cute photos.  Feel free to skip the blog today.  No judgement.  

We need a good night's sleep because we are headed to the orphanage early tomorrow morning to wake the kids up and get them ready for school...the big boys wake up at 5:30 a.m.  Rise and shine, people!   

There is some adorable art work going up at the big house.  Becki and Jodi are working their magic in Room #1.  Go Jodi!  Go Jodi!

Especially love the cute little chick and his bluebird friends by the entry door.

Becki and Jodi painted murals until dark;  I can't wait to see the final creation.  One room down, only 11 to go!  We had more wonderful help from the CO team this morning...we are going to miss them when they are gone (and we are going to work them to the bone until then!)  So the worksite, as I have mentioned before is a bit chaotic.  Today, for instance, you might ask "Why were you entering and exiting rooms through the window?  Because!!, of course!!, the workers decided today would be a good day to create the cement hallway outside the rooms we were attempting to finish.  Ugh.  Foiled at every turn.

I found this item at the orphanage recently...right on the front step so I'm assuming it had been used recently.

Not sure even David Beckham could do something with this one!  Buy these kids a soccer ball, wouldja?  The truth of the matter is that 89 kids can be rough on a soccer ball.  The good news is the CO team brought several sport balls so their has been no interruption in their soccer playing craziness..

After working hard all day at the orphanage, we returned home to a locked house.

It's lovely...but it's locked.  In the plus column, it certainly beats "the shack" at the Karibuni. :)  In the minus column, the WiFi is unreliable, my mosquito net was too short for my lower bunk so I had to move to the upper bunk and I can tell you, I'm too old to be climbing to the top bunk.   

We've made several trips to downtown Kitale, grocery store, hardware, bank.  Gotta say, it's a bit rough...not scary rough, just shoddy rough.  I thought this version of "the mall" was rather comical.  At first, I thought the top floor said:

Chris & Co. Church...and I thought, "Lucky!  Chris and his friends have their own church!" and how appropriate that it's on the top floor.  Wouldn't want to be shopping at this mall during an earthquake...just sayin'.  I particulary like the "Wedlock Bridal Shop" on the second floor...just not sure that would be my name of choice for a wedding shop.

And finally, most homes have a watchman who opens the gate.  The Karibuni had several off duty military men and their machine guns.  The guest house we are staying in presently has Bennet and his machete.  

And the orphanage has a guard sheep, no weapon. (But Deanna wants to shear him for his wool!!)

Goodnight!

Tish