Birthday in Lamu

Much to tell you about. The internet was down on Thursday and Friday, and so slow in Lamu that I had to wait until today.
I spent last Thursday at the daycare in Ngong. The kids were happy to see me again, though half of them still cry at the sight of my white skin! There are now 90 children there, they have established 2 kindergarten classes, a little nursery school class, and the rest is just day care for the 3 and under. The youngest is 4 months. The parents pay 300 Shillings, $5 per month for their children's school. That way the teachers get paid. Caroline did an amazing job keeping all the children safe during the violence, it became a refuge for the village. I brought blankets that my niece Elizabeth made, ( the link is my two grandmas) during nap time the kids sleep all huddled together on a thin piece of foam.The winter here, which is fast approaching, brings damp rainy cold weather so Caroline and the staff were so excited with the warm fleece blankets. I will post pictures when I get home. The kids had not had medical exams since I left so I spent the day listening to lungs, feeling bellies, looking at rashes. Some are healthy, some needed to see the local clinical officer, 4 I referred to the UK pediatrician who is working at Lea Toto. She graciously agreed to come and see them.
Wednesday was my meeting with the CDC and PEPFAR. It went well, which of course generated the need for more meetings. That comes tomorrow and I should leave there with a plan, and a return date. One can only hope.........
I flew to Lamu on Saturday. It felt so good to be back though it was a reflection of the fallout from the violence that there were only 4 people on the plane. It was great to be recognized (I'm turning into a regular!) and so graciously welcomed back. The owner of the guest house told me that there had been many cancellations and many lay offs. So very sad. The weather was island perfect, hot, humid sunny. Beautiful blue skies, blue water, colorful flowers, green palm trees, whitewashed buildings and clean white sand. I love sleeping listening to the sound of the Indian Ocean and feeling the sea breeze. I spent my birthday sitting in the town center, drinking coca cola baridi (cold) and watching all the activity, wandering the narrow streets,listening to the mix of swahili and arabic, replying to the kids' "jambo" (a short version of hello) and eating samosas.
Later I walked the beach and watched the sun set, a true magical birthday and one I will never forget.
Today I am back in Nairobi, saw my friend Warren last night, love traveling on public transportation with my passport, camera, credit card etc. so far so good though, still have them all. I will teach at nyumbani tonite, sleep there, have my meeting tomorrow again at the cdc, friday during the day I go to the city center for tea with my muslim friend muhammed, buy a certain little boy a very big carved giraffe then fly home on Friday night.
I will post pictures on Sunday. So strange to be here then so quickly back there.
Stay safe Officer Tim, xoxoxo Little boy