One Week

One Week 1-13-10
Our first week in Kenya has flashed by. We are stilling dealing with jet lag, and are still frequently waking between 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. The internet has been down our entire stay so far, so forgive our lack of postings.

Back to our arrival - Another driver took us on the 3-hour drive from Nairobi to the home. As I mentioned in the last entry, he was a couple hours late in arriving. The drive was relatively easy, though, with the only traffic and obstacles being in Nairobi. Neither of us really knew what to expect on our arrival at the home. What did the home look like? How are the kids going to react to us? How will our proposed programs be implemented? The kids were in school as we unloaded our things, giving us some time to look around. The Tumaini home was constructed in 2003, so it is relatively new. The house and grounds are meticulously maintained by both a small staff and the children. The day before we left, we found out that a large portion of the yearly budget was cut as donations have decreased due to the poor global economy. A number of the staff was let go prior to our arrival. Additionally, a number of older kids (between high school and college) had to find other living accommodations. You would not know it by looking at the home; sadly, this may actually work to their detriment, as people would naturally assume that the home does not need the money.

The children started to drift in from school, and we began introductions. I believe that Heather’s name must only be used in America, as we have not yet been in another country where it can be pronounced. “Heavah…..Heevah…….Heehhaah.” The kids are getting better with it. My name, on the other hand, sounds so much cooler in other countries than it does in America. “Krees.” Drag out the e’s a little. Krees.

Heather has held 2 art classes so far, and they have been a large hit. The kids are really enjoying them. I began running with the kids a couple days ago, so I don’t yet have a feel for it. I am still getting to know the two coaches – Titus and Douglas. Titus has a 2:16 marathon under his belt, and Douglas is currently trying to make the Kenyan national team. Obviously, they are a wee bit above my level, and appear to be watching how I relate to the kids first. My other intended program was to pair as many kids as possible with a pen pal in the States. I’ve got a few things working against me on this one. The internet has been down the entire week that we have been here. The budget cuts make paying for normal post impossible. Finally, very few kids are allowed on the computers, making this hard to sustain once Heather and I leave. We will see. I am discussing ideas with the manager, matron, and our extraordinarily helpful friend, Zach. Zach is a fellow American who spent 8 months here last year, working to implement an introductory business course in the high school.

I will post some pics later when the network here isn't so funky.
Kris and Heather