Nashapae

Hujambo! Habari? (Today we're going to Nairobi, so I can use Kiswahili now!)

So, here's an update on where I am in my placement now:

Im working at a primary school in a town called Saikari now. We have to teach older kids, because the younger ones dont understand much english. They are so excited for us to be there. During breaks at school all the kids come up and rub my arms and touch my hair. (They say 'nzuri', which means good, so thats nice!). They want affection so badly. Students in the classes can be between ages 9-25, depending on how old they were when they started school. And then they just move up grade levels each year. Secondary school starts at age 18 normally, but most people cant afford to go. Its so sad at the school during class though. On my first day, I was copying something on the board and told everyone to get out their paper and write it down. Most of the just stared at me. So, I gestured, "write it down!". There was some rummaging about then they started working. But, as I was walking around the class, I realized that about 2/3 of the kids were simply pretending to write with their hands!! They had no writing utensils! I knew that the school would be low on materials, but I had no idea that they didnt have anything to write with. So, part of our trip to Nairobi today will be to get pencils, pens, and erasers for every kid in the entire school. (about 350 students.) The thing that made me the most upset though, is that the head master apparently has loads of materials in his office (including books, which the kids have none!). So, we're just taking this into our own hands. Also, on the school front- Monday is strike day. We talked to the head master about it, he says "You can teach here, you are our friends. But not the government people!" So, all the teachers will be gone on Monday, and the 4 of us will have to do as much as we can. When I came to the school, the first day I had a class that was just sitting in a room alone. I said "where's the teacher?" They had none. So they just came to school and sat in a classroom. So, even though there are a lot of barriers to break down (and it can be quite frustrating), I am so glad I am here- for the kids! (1 Corinthians 15:58) They are just so excited when you call on them to answer, or write on the board. They say "teacher, teacher!!" (we taught them hangman yesterday, they loved it!) So that's school so far.

Now, on the manyatta- (thats my homestay)-
I live with a small family by the school. All 4 of us teachers are there, but its so nice. We cook dinner every night with the family. First, we 'take chai'. Its a milk/sugar tea that you have before dinner. Then we eat around 8, by firelight. Then dishes, and to bed. On my first day at the manyatta, I got my Maasai name- it's Nashapae (Nah-shah-pie), which means 'one filled with joy'- I love it!! I dont think I could have gotten a better name. So this is what everyone calls me now. I get to take a shower tomorrow (yay! first one so far...). What happens is, there's a water barrel that you get water from, then you take it in a basin to the shower room. And you stand in the basin and wash. Pretty simple. Its actually weird, but its quite nice to not worry about being clean. The baby wipes were a good investment though.

Water here is a huge problem. And its weird, because I knew that, but its just different here to see it. There have been very few crops the last 2 years because of drought, and the land is sooo dry (I am filthy from the wind blowing the red dirt all over me, but its really not a big deal at all, everyone is dirty). Also, water to drink is scarce. Most people cant afford bottled water, so they have to walk miles with buckets to the nearest water pipe to get it for the families. This is normally the kid's job. So you see them walking with jugs often. And its not even clean water, but their bodies are used to it, so it's fine for them. So, Ive been praying for water- and guess what happened this morning!! In the middle of the dry season- rain! And then the sun came out and there was a huge, full arc rainbow. Beautiful.

One of my favorite things so far is the Maasai women. They are so beautiful. In the town where we live everyone is Maasai, and everyone dresses traditionally. The colors of the clothes and jewelry are wonderful. They do everything- wash, clean, cook, take care of the kids, and livestock. I love seeing them with their big sticks walking the cows around! But, you cant take pictures of them unless you know them really well, as pictures are quite taboo in their culture. The worst thing though, is that women are still taken advantage of here (not us, the Maasai women). Female mutilation still takes place, and if you choose not to, you are never respected in the community. I thought, maybe only some do this, but I asked one of the women at our homestay and she says "No! All girls! They have to!" Quite sad.

A few things that I think are interesting/ Ive learned here so far:
Africa really might be addicted to aid. (Probably more on this in a later post)
Time: Its a relative thing. Ive only been here a few days, but it feels like forever. Things are slow here, and I knew that, but being immersed in it is quite different. It really made me think about the difference in how we view time and how God understands time. God, the designer of time and space has an eternal mindset, which we cannot grasp. It makes me think about waiting on God, and His timing- really quite different from ours! Just seeing the difference in the way my time was in the US and how it is here, makes me understand a bit more how much I really havent comprehended God's view of time. But He has entrusted us with time, so no matter what it feels like (slow or fast!) we must use it to glorify Him.
Its really nice to be: Dirty/Disconnected/Not rushed

I think thats it for now. I miss everyone, and please keep praying for me.

penda-
Brittany

Can you kill 2 lions with 1 spear?

Supa!! (All my Kiswahili studies are for not right now, as Im having to speak kimaasai!)
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am here. Its so amazing!! We went to the schools today to visit and the kids are excited to see new faces and full of energy. None of them could pronounce my name, which I thought was cute. So Im told I need a Maasai name, which CoCo will give me soon.
Tomorrow I start my orientation, and then will know where I will be and what I will be doing. Right now Im in Ngong Hills, southwest of Nairobi. Its very very dry. One of the girls who has been here for a few months is working on a project to get a water tank installed in one of the villages, and should be done by the end of the month. Then they'll be a big party!
I already feel sooo blessed to be here. Its nothing and everything like I thought it would be- all at the same time. God is good.
Ok, Ill let you guys know more about whats going on..... when it happens.

Love
B

PS- Last night, Daniel, our coordinator, picked us up from the airport. One of the guy volunteers was talking about going on a walking safari and walking to a mountain (we might do this next week!) and Daniel said, No! The lions will get you if you sleep outside! Kevin said, I have a spear! Dan says, Can you kill 2 lions with 1 spear?
So epic.....

Still not real

You know how when something great is coming up, and its right around the corner, but you have so many things before that, you cant really get excited yet? Yeah, thats how I feel tonight. Tomorrow I leave, but it will take me a full day to get to Kenya. So, I think it still doesnt feel real. I think the last flight, from Zurich to Nairobi, will be the one where I start feeling it all.
I get into Nairobi at 7pm on tuesday night, *sigh* and start a brand new chapter in my oh-so-blessed life. I wish I had more to share... just dont yet! Actually, a few quick notes on the current state of Kenya:

WFP currently feeds about 1.5 mil people in Kenya, but the country is going through serious drought, and the number is thought to go up to 10mil this year because the last 2 harvests have been disapointing. (AP)

Kenya's Harambee Stars play away at Uganda in the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge (Cecafa) Cup finals! Go Kenya!!

Kenya teachers are of the lowest paid civil workers in Kenya, and would like to be given a pay increase. Since they have been told no, they are planning on going on strike starting January 19th. (KBC)

I dont know what that last story means for me, but that will be something to look out for.
Thanks to you all for your support (special thanks to Believers Church in chesapeake for their super support and prayers today!!), and especially prayers, and Ill see you soon!

B

1 week to go

Hujambo!!

So.... as most people who know me are aware, Im going to Kenya in a week (eeeee!!!!). I really cant believe its almost here already. Im truly blessed to have so many friends who are excited for me, and for them, I am going to try to blog the whole time Im in country. I should be able to access the internet once a week, and will try to keep you guys updated.

Heres a little rundown of what my trip will be like:

Im flying out on Monday, Jan 12, and Ill arrive in Nairobi on Jan 13th at 7pm. 

Honestly, I really dont have a good idea of what Im going to be doing. I know Ill be teaching, but besides that, no idea. The 15th really begins everything; thats orientation day. Then after the organization gets to know us, they'll give us our actual placement. Ill be living with a Maasai family somewhere outside of Nairobi, and teach in a primary school in that community. We work Mon-Fri, and then the weekends are free!! 

So, getting started I got in touch with a New Zealand based organization called International Volunteer HeadQuarters. They work with a ton of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) all over the world, and help you get in contact with them and set your trip up. I totally recommend them if you ever want to do something like this. They were so great to work with. So, they set me up with my whole trip to Kenya.

Here's some info about the organizations Im working with (yes, there are 2, we'll get to that in a minute):

First, MEAC: They are an organization that help Maasai tribes to better educate their youth, bring social equality to women, and improve living conditions of community members. There, Ill be teaching at a local primary school.  http://meackenya.org

Second, Fadhili Helpers: This is a wonderful group who work a lot with street orphans in Kenya. Part of their vision is to get these kids off the streets and into schools, feed the hungry, and help teach the boys trade skills so that they can get jobs. www.fadhili.org

Why am I working for 2 organizations? Well..... I was originally only going to work with MEAC, but I just got an email saying that starting Feb 1st all MEAC volunteers will be going over to FH. I have to admit at first I was a little upset. Part of me going for the 5 weeks was because I wanted to have time to create real relationships, but now that time was being cut in half, and split over 2 groups. (I should have learned by now that this stuff is out of my control, but God has it on lock!) However, when I looked into FH, a large part of their program is to tell people about God (word.)! So, in addition to teaching, Im now going to be part of an evangelism program. I should also mention that the original program nor my booking group are Christian organizations. But, *sigh* it always works out just right! So cool...

Ive been wanting to go on a trip like this for about 2 years, and its finally here! God put everything right in order for me too- it was just too easy! (Not that Im complaining.... at all!) I cant wait. 

Last, I would love if you would all pray for me everyday!  Asante sana! (Ive also been working on my kiswahili!) 

Brittany