Catching Up

It's been a quiet week here. Can't download pictures because the signal is so weak. The weather has been "cold" in the high 50's and gray.Not a lot of sun around, doesn't seem like Africa. The kids pretty much stay inside when the weather is like this, they wrap in their blankets. They're all so thin, they chill so easily. I'm already hearing more coughs, more wheezes, wiping more runny noses. I'll be glad when the warm days and nights are back, they say sometime in August. Still, for a winter it's not bad! I went up to Kericho for 2 days, one night and one hot shower. I trained the staff of a group called Live With Hope,they can now teach the curriculum. Again, it's so gratifying to see how much they embrace it. People of all ages just want to know. I have an appointment on July 16th with African Flying Doctors. They are interested in the program and want to discuss training etc. We have a new baby, Anthony. He's 6 months old, has been lost in the shuffle in kenyatta hospital for 3 months, since his mom abandoned him. He's pretty scrawny, but big alert eyes. He's in Cottage G, all of us in Cottage D are campaigning for the next baby.
Ali arrives Friday night, the rest of them on Tuesday. Can't wait.
Stay safe Officer Tim, xoxoxo little boy, I'll take good care of your mom and dad

Good news and a few corrections.

Ken's cd4 count is now 34!! It's gone from 1 to 16 to 34. Of course normal for his age would be around 500, but he's heading in the right direction.At least now if he gets sick he has a little something to fight with. If only we could get him to gain some weight...
I do these blogs so quickly because of the intermittent power, can't always take the time to proofread. and then it bugs me. Anyway,it's Kenyatta International Airport (not national), Heather is another Fulbrighter here in Nairobi, not at Nyumbani.And it should say I "may" not "make"like her for her baby! Which really isn't true, she is truly awesome. I think everything else was okay! or in Swahili "sowa sowa."

Midterm Report

As you might have noticed by the ticker at the top I'm officially halfway done. Actually that was yesterday, but the power was out here so I couldn't write. I really can't believe it's on the second half now. I can remember in the beginning, before I settled in, thinking I would never last. Now I wonder how I will go home. (But, don't worry I will!). My project has gone well, we're setting up now to teach the classes in the slums in August. I'm so grateful for how enthusiastically it's been embraced at sites all over. I'm humbled by how much people/kids want to know and how as a nurse I have the information they want. I really feel like I will leave behind something that will make a difference. Most beautiful: the incredible Kenyan scenery, different wherever you go in Kenya, hilly green flat arid urban rural. So many "postcard" images. Most frustrating: the roads and the bureaucracy. (though today I got my research permit changed in less than 20 minutes at no cost!!). Most haunting: the sight of Margaret's tattered shoes under the bed for days after she died. No one had the heart to remove them. Funniest moment: I was walking back to Nyumbani from Karin when all of a sudden I heard lots and lots of children yelling "susan gold, susan gold" the nyumbani school bus was going by and they were all hanging out the window, they did stop and give me a ride. Most fulfilling moment: anytime they come and curl up on my lap or sit next to me, and just want to be loved. Best friend besides mum ann: the other Fulbrighter here, Heather. But, I make just like her for her baby Augustus too! Biggest convenience: wireless and Pascal who makes it work, my mobile. Doesn't matter where you are in the world, it's good to be connected. Most peaceful moments, here or in Kitui: early mornings, late at night. Most powerful moment:first, the kids here do not talk about their families, their previous lives before Nyumbani, though many were horrific, 70% have been molested. One Sunday at church our favorite priest, Fr.Ludwig talked in his sermon how he has just been to sudan and how sad it was. It was also the week of the Kenyan air crash and he talked about how sad for the people on the plane and their families. Then he asked what was a time they felt very sad. Suddenly it was like a dam broke, voice after voice: 'when my mother died" "my father...." "my grandfather... " "my brothers..." "when my parents ran away and left me" we all sat there stunned as it went on and on. Finally,they were silent, but you could see the grief on their faces. Fr. Ludwig looked at all of them and said "at the moment you were the saddest and the most alone, God loved you." and you could see the comfort it brought them. And I thought to myself that I will never again doubt the power of faith. What I couldn't live without: your emails and your support. What I can't wait for: the sight of my family coming through those doors at Kenyatta National Airport! Love you all, I'm on the downhill now!!!

Village life

I arrived back at Nyumbani last night after 3 days in the village. It's become a Nyumbani joke that Nicholas, the director of the village and Lea Toto has been trying to get me to come to the village and stay a long time. Each time I go I stay a little longer. This time I told him if he wants me to stay a long time he needs to buy me the internet and flush toilets! (think pit toilet in your house.) Actually the more I go there the more I love it. Though I did come home absolutely filthy, even the lukewarm shower felt so good. They are making progress by leaps and bounds there, now have over 150 children and 25 grandparents. The goal is 1000 children, 250 granparents. It's a reminder about the immensity of the problem and the impact on Kenyan life. I don't know how Nicholas keeps on top of everything, he also runs Lea Toto back here, his wife and 3 kids are here, the drvie between here and the village is absolutley tortuous. Yesterday I gave him my IPOD to listen to, it was nice to see him relax for a little while. He does a super human job. My time there was really wonderful. You can really feel yourself slow down and adapt to the rhythm of village life. When Nicholas came to get me, an hour and a half late, to take me back here, he found me asleep in the sun on a bench. A few months ago I would have been so frustrated at the delay, stalking him to get going! I like the "hakuna matata" lifestyle! My favorite times there are early morning and late evening. In the morning I sit with my coffee on the steps of the guesthouse and watch the village come to life. The kids run off to school, someone feeds the chickens, the volunteers gather for breakfast. The grandmothers make beautiful woven baskets, they all walk around with them in their hands, weaving and talking as they go.It did not remind me of my knitting yellow blankie! I love listening to the women in the kitchen chatter in Kamba, the local dialect. People walk for 2 1/2 hours to work in the village, and feel blessed to have a job. It really feels like a village now. At night all the volunteers and some of the staff would gather at the guest house for dinner and after meal conversation. There are 4 Catholic priests in training there, 2 are Kenyan 2 are Indian. They were hilarious.We had great talks about the role of religion in culture, all sorts of things by the light of the solar lantern. Then I would sit outside and look at the stars and enjoy the cool breeze. It really is a magical place. They use a 12 hour clock, that's based on sunrise/sunset. If they say they will meet you at 5, they mean after 5 hours of sunlight! How cool is that? Since there's no electricity and it's out in the middle of nowhere I have never seen such darkness, you literally cannot see the hand in front of your face in the middle of the night. The nurse, Joseph, and I started the classes for the kids. Word got out and over 80 kids came! They wouldn't leave, I'll never forget sitting there as the light faded answering question after question. Kids all over the world truly just want to know.
I have met so many different and interesting people here, all who have taught me so much. Nicholas took me to the village of Kitui, about 25k from Nyumbani Village. Takes 20 minutes of off road driving just to get to the road to go there! I met some nuns who run a very successful program for street kids. They were so impressive in their dedication to their mission. Their bathroom was awesome too.
There is still so much to learn, and all of a sudden it doesn't seem like there's much time.
I will post pictures tomorrow. hopefully.
Stay safe Officer Tim, xoxoxo little boy.

Happy Anniversary to Tim

Sr. Julie and all the staff helped me celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. There were flowers, prayers at the morning meeting, applause and dinner at the Rusty Nail. Hopefully Tim we'll celebrate #33 on the same continent!

Catching Avocados!

There are avocado trees on the orphanage grounds. Friday afternoon the kids gathered and with Uncle Joseph's help collected them as he knocked them down. They are actually a head injury hazard if they just fall on unsuspecting pedestrians! I was walking around one night talking to my sister Mary Lee and one fell on the driveway in front of me! They taste great too. That's Faith with the harvest.

Keeping us warm

My niece Elizabeth sent 3 new blankets for kids who didn't have them. We had sent some in 2004, the ones that took 14 months to get here! The kids were so excited to have their own. Tucking them in at night is one of my favorite things to do, they feel surrounded by love from America. The cold weather is coming here now, so they came just in time! Ken especially loves his big boy stripes!

Telling Time

The watches Susanne sent made 3 kids feel very special. They take very good care of them. It's Sheila, Ken and Brian.

Thank You Susanne

the plates are a big hit, the kids love the colors and how big they are. Last night they had their first dinner on them. Mum loves them because they clean up so well, the plastic is of much better quality. thank you!!

Lost....and found

all the prayers to the luggage gods worked. KLM delivered my 2 bags to Nyumbani Wednesday afternoon, everything present and accounted for. That was a huge relief, I am obviously still very attached to my stuff! The first 24 hours of re-entry were hard, exacerbated by the thought of no clothes, gifts etc. Now I just have to get my sleep times back on Kenya time. the kids loved all their gifts, I will put pictures on tomorrow. elizabeth ann they loved their blankets, it was so wonderful last night to tuck them all in under homemade blankets. They all told me this morning how warm they were all night, thank you so much. Susanne when I gave Ken his watch he had the biggest smile and said "for me?" he's worn it very proudly ever since, shows it to me everytime I see him. I gave one watch to Sheila, she's the oldest girl in the cottage and has worked so hard with the younger kids. She's very quiet and often overlooked in the hubbub, you could tell how special it made her feel. The 3rd watch I gave to Brian, because he scored the highest score on the standardized tests at school. He too was so surprised and touched. they all oohed and aahed over the plates, thought they were so colorful and would be great fun to eat off of. They never complain about setting the table or washing the dishes but now they said it would be fun. I can't thank either of you enough for your generosity and for the time you put in to the kids gifts - they truly appreciated them. Sarah, the pencil sharpener caused all sorts of consternation in security on all 3 continents, I don't think anyone new what it was. Each time I had to dig it out of my backpack and explain! The kids now are frequent sharpeners!
So, I'm settled in. It's hard seeing the sad things again, but this does feel a little bit like home. I know this time will fly by, I"m trying to make the most out of everyday. Thank you all for your time when I was home, to those I didn't get to see it was only because the time was so short, I look forward to seeing you in November.
Stay safe Officer Tim, xoxoxo Little boy, Happy Birthday to my sister Rita and a very Happy Anniversary to Tim 32 years! I love you.

Grammy and Jack

Back home in Kenya

I'm here, light headed dizzy from the altitude and jet lag. NO luggage! First time in all my travels that has happened. They didn't make me pay even thought it was over the weight limit but I guess they still got their revenge. Hopefully it arrives tomorrow. On the flight to Amsterdam I sat next to a woman from Nigeria who is a judge on their High Court. Had a great conversation about women' rights in Africa. More tomorrow when I'm more awake, and hopefully with clothes. Pray to the luggage Gods!! Miss you all, went way too fast.
Stay safe Officer Tim, xoxoxo little boy