Flying Kites
Jamia Post Office
PO Box 102315-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
declare very little value on the package as the orphanage gets taxed on everything it receives at this PO box....
Friday, April 30, 2010
What a difference a year makes.....
This is what was going on last year...
"Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:33 PM, EDT
Happy Wednesday... i have felt great the last couple of days and am now allowing for the fact that most likely i will be hitting the TV room again in the not so distant future. Chemo was Tuesday. I met a new friend so that was cool. She is just starting her process which is very similar to mine so we got to chat a lot. That whole "we" part of the world.
Some bald facts that i learned during the recent fantastic weather.
being bald means that hair doesn't whip in your face when the windows are down.
being bald means the sweat just drips out of your head.
being bald means SPF 95 for virgin skin
SPF 95 is like a slimely dirt magnet that catches everything (kinda' like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown)
being bald (stubble free bald) means that scarves tend to shift and get all goofy - no velcro action - so naked bald is easier
being bald allows for the opportunity of applying henna smiley face tattoos on a big, visible surface
i think that's all i have so far for my bald stuff.
That beautiful white flowering tree that is out RIGHT now is a dogwood. i actually looked it up on line to make sure. was guessing. they don't stay white for long.
this week is National Crime Victim's Rights Week.
Swine flu... ugh! And maybe in Albany and Schenectady county.. are you kidding me??? and those masks......
my tulips popped in my flower garden.
facebook is semi-fun for me.
work has been fun and i miss doing it full time. i just want things to be back to "normal". i can't wait to have all my energy back, full time... not part time. i guess it will happen when it happens. i can't rush it. amen...
got a great shirt sent to me today... it says "Hey Cancer..You picked the wrong broad!" cool right??? and a mug that says "Liv'n out Loud" Gotta love that. so fun! thanks Kim.
i hope everyone has some great things going on and that they are enjoying each day...everyday...
peace and happiness
B"
And now in 2010 the van is packed, the floors are cleaned, the cell phone is programmed and most things are ready to go. Flight leaves tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7:30pm. I will arrive in Nairobi on Tuesday morning. I plan on spending Sunday in London doing some wandering around Picadilly Circus or Trefalgur Square. The boxes are labelled whe ith smiley faces. I can't wait to take pictures of the little ones with long blonde or brunette wigs on. And the pink boas. And the extra fun scarves. And the soccer balls for the boys. It will all work out just great.
Whatever it is, it is better than spending days on end doing chemo and hanging out watching Law and Order. Life is grand, my friends... just perfect!
"Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:33 PM, EDT
Happy Wednesday... i have felt great the last couple of days and am now allowing for the fact that most likely i will be hitting the TV room again in the not so distant future. Chemo was Tuesday. I met a new friend so that was cool. She is just starting her process which is very similar to mine so we got to chat a lot. That whole "we" part of the world.
Some bald facts that i learned during the recent fantastic weather.
being bald means that hair doesn't whip in your face when the windows are down.
being bald means the sweat just drips out of your head.
being bald means SPF 95 for virgin skin
SPF 95 is like a slimely dirt magnet that catches everything (kinda' like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown)
being bald (stubble free bald) means that scarves tend to shift and get all goofy - no velcro action - so naked bald is easier
being bald allows for the opportunity of applying henna smiley face tattoos on a big, visible surface
i think that's all i have so far for my bald stuff.
That beautiful white flowering tree that is out RIGHT now is a dogwood. i actually looked it up on line to make sure. was guessing. they don't stay white for long.
this week is National Crime Victim's Rights Week.
Swine flu... ugh! And maybe in Albany and Schenectady county.. are you kidding me??? and those masks......
my tulips popped in my flower garden.
facebook is semi-fun for me.
work has been fun and i miss doing it full time. i just want things to be back to "normal". i can't wait to have all my energy back, full time... not part time. i guess it will happen when it happens. i can't rush it. amen...
got a great shirt sent to me today... it says "Hey Cancer..You picked the wrong broad!" cool right??? and a mug that says "Liv'n out Loud" Gotta love that. so fun! thanks Kim.
i hope everyone has some great things going on and that they are enjoying each day...everyday...
peace and happiness
B"
And now in 2010 the van is packed, the floors are cleaned, the cell phone is programmed and most things are ready to go. Flight leaves tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7:30pm. I will arrive in Nairobi on Tuesday morning. I plan on spending Sunday in London doing some wandering around Picadilly Circus or Trefalgur Square. The boxes are labelled whe ith smiley faces. I can't wait to take pictures of the little ones with long blonde or brunette wigs on. And the pink boas. And the extra fun scarves. And the soccer balls for the boys. It will all work out just great.
Whatever it is, it is better than spending days on end doing chemo and hanging out watching Law and Order. Life is grand, my friends... just perfect!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Learning
Blogging is a huge learning process. I have this feeling that it will be difficult. I am finding that i need to change some settings and update some widgets and create some groups. It's very interesting but my goal is to just communicate with people. not sure how this will go with this blog thing. i am not the techy that i thought i was.
Just changed my return flight.
Need to get the oil in my car changed.
Found out I can take 12 bags... phhewww.... I wasn't going to bring deodorant with just 11 bags.
Am eating myself out of house and home. Am hoping for African weight loss program. I will probably get over being a picky eater while I am there.
CVS - pick up ambien for resting needed...
Got chamois towel and water tablets at LLBean.
enough!!! enough!!!!!! enough!!!!!!!!! I need to go to africa to rest. right--- travelling with 600#s of stuff for 2 days to go hang out with 16 kids. should be a hoot!!!!! watch facebook for pics....
Just changed my return flight.
Need to get the oil in my car changed.
Found out I can take 12 bags... phhewww.... I wasn't going to bring deodorant with just 11 bags.
Am eating myself out of house and home. Am hoping for African weight loss program. I will probably get over being a picky eater while I am there.
CVS - pick up ambien for resting needed...
Got chamois towel and water tablets at LLBean.
enough!!! enough!!!!!! enough!!!!!!!!! I need to go to africa to rest. right--- travelling with 600#s of stuff for 2 days to go hang out with 16 kids. should be a hoot!!!!! watch facebook for pics....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
look up
There's a full moon over saratoga tonight. I wonder what it looks like from the serengeti or afghanistan or iraq or haiti or antartica. Friends and family are getting ready to disperse around the globe over the next few weeks. My guess is that we all see the same thing when we look upward to the majestic sky.
How many boxes of girl scout cookies can I eat between now and saturday?
How many boxes of girl scout cookies can I eat between now and saturday?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Lists and packing..
The idea of a list is great. Write everything down. Get it out of my head so i can remember to do it later. I have lists in my kitchen, hanging on my walls, on my nightstand, in my office, in my car. I have lists in notebooks, on post it notes, on 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of paper, on index cards and on 24x36 pieces of paper. The paper is getting bigger and the pens are turning into big black sharpie markers.
Saturday was donation day. It started Friday night and ended on Monday night. DONE.. NO MORE. I can't take anything else with me. We have packed, weighed, unpacked, repacked, weighed again and stacked boxes. There are ten boxes full of clothes, shoes, toys, letters, games, glow sticks, crayons, school supplies, DVDs and rosaries. You name it... we've got it. The house was full of friends and family and kids and parents and way too much food. People gave generously. I am humbled to be part of such a fantastic community. The boxes will be decorated with huge yellow smiley faces. So appropriate.
There are concerns about security on the other side of the plane ride. I have been told that often times bags are opened and items are just stolen. I have hopes that this will not be part of my story but it looms over head. I suppose one way or another someone will receive donations.
Below is the address of where I will be. Please note that anything that is shipped to the PO Box will be taxed. Don't list anything of value.
Flying Kites
Jamia Post Office
PO Box 102315-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
Feel free to send letters for the kids or protein bars for me. Weight Watchers Kenya style. I am hoping to loose that weight that i gained when i thought i was doing Weight Watchers Chemo style. Speaking of which--- someone told me their daughter was in Rowanda for seven months and gained 25 pounds.
"HOW CAN THAT HAPPENED?" I sounded out in sheer terror. This was ruining my plans.
"Bananas. Lots of bananas. It's a carb diet."
I guess we will just see. My pants all have drawstrings so they are multi size options.
I can upload photos to facebook. Haven't tried to upload to the blog yet. I can blackberry messenger people and i can also skype from my phone. Look me up. We'll chat. It will all happen just like it is supposed to.
OK--- back to my lists.... Rock on!!!!!
Saturday was donation day. It started Friday night and ended on Monday night. DONE.. NO MORE. I can't take anything else with me. We have packed, weighed, unpacked, repacked, weighed again and stacked boxes. There are ten boxes full of clothes, shoes, toys, letters, games, glow sticks, crayons, school supplies, DVDs and rosaries. You name it... we've got it. The house was full of friends and family and kids and parents and way too much food. People gave generously. I am humbled to be part of such a fantastic community. The boxes will be decorated with huge yellow smiley faces. So appropriate.
There are concerns about security on the other side of the plane ride. I have been told that often times bags are opened and items are just stolen. I have hopes that this will not be part of my story but it looms over head. I suppose one way or another someone will receive donations.
Below is the address of where I will be. Please note that anything that is shipped to the PO Box will be taxed. Don't list anything of value.
Flying Kites
Jamia Post Office
PO Box 102315-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
Feel free to send letters for the kids or protein bars for me. Weight Watchers Kenya style. I am hoping to loose that weight that i gained when i thought i was doing Weight Watchers Chemo style. Speaking of which--- someone told me their daughter was in Rowanda for seven months and gained 25 pounds.
"HOW CAN THAT HAPPENED?" I sounded out in sheer terror. This was ruining my plans.
"Bananas. Lots of bananas. It's a carb diet."
I guess we will just see. My pants all have drawstrings so they are multi size options.
I can upload photos to facebook. Haven't tried to upload to the blog yet. I can blackberry messenger people and i can also skype from my phone. Look me up. We'll chat. It will all happen just like it is supposed to.
OK--- back to my lists.... Rock on!!!!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
testing 123
First post from global phone. I suppose that isn't that big of a deal but I am hugely excited that I have this technology thing working...or at least I hope so.
I just left the Flying Kites fundraiser in New York. I was extremely happy to come face to face with some of the people I have been talking to and to get a true sense of this organization. It has confirmed for me that FK is a viable charity founded and being run by young people trying to improve the world. I met another chap (lots of british people)who runs a charity that is based out of London. I am not quite sure what his group does but I will be interested to find out. FK has ambitions to open the family style learning centers/orphanages in India as well as in Brazil. There is a big picture here and something so out of my every day comfort zone. These people talk about flights around the world as ordinary happenings.
I met Toby, one of the founders - probably 30 years old, Julianna, the volunteer coordinator - maybe 26 and Sara Medway- acting director at FK in Kenya - maybe 28. Sara will be meeting me at the airport in nairobi so it was good to see her face. She is a lawyer who decided she wanted to do something more meaningful, much to her parents dismay. It sounds like Julianna and Sara found out about FK through idealist.org too. I felt so validated knowing that I wasn't the only person willing to go to kenya based on a website. Cool!!
Writing on this 2x2 screen will get old soon. Cheater glasses and carpel thumb.
It's happening..One step at a time. One breakthrough at a time. One person at a time.
Peace out!
I just left the Flying Kites fundraiser in New York. I was extremely happy to come face to face with some of the people I have been talking to and to get a true sense of this organization. It has confirmed for me that FK is a viable charity founded and being run by young people trying to improve the world. I met another chap (lots of british people)who runs a charity that is based out of London. I am not quite sure what his group does but I will be interested to find out. FK has ambitions to open the family style learning centers/orphanages in India as well as in Brazil. There is a big picture here and something so out of my every day comfort zone. These people talk about flights around the world as ordinary happenings.
I met Toby, one of the founders - probably 30 years old, Julianna, the volunteer coordinator - maybe 26 and Sara Medway- acting director at FK in Kenya - maybe 28. Sara will be meeting me at the airport in nairobi so it was good to see her face. She is a lawyer who decided she wanted to do something more meaningful, much to her parents dismay. It sounds like Julianna and Sara found out about FK through idealist.org too. I felt so validated knowing that I wasn't the only person willing to go to kenya based on a website. Cool!!
Writing on this 2x2 screen will get old soon. Cheater glasses and carpel thumb.
It's happening..One step at a time. One breakthrough at a time. One person at a time.
Peace out!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
My head is racing… get stuff done…. Pack. Raise money. Go to the gym. Program the global phone. Find a better blog. Get ready for BBQs for friends and family. Paint the family room. Call the exterminator. Buy USA pencils. Find some Obama t-shirts. Frisbees, water balloons, pepto bismo, allergy meds, protein bars, underwear and pajamas for little ones, lab work, appointment with oncologist, review pricing for furniture, send samples of fabrics, pay taxes, empty the kitty litter, find the address of the Kenya Embassy for Tuesday’s trip to NYC, love my cats.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
I am finding myself getting lost in the internet as I start to put myself in another part of the world. I have just found a blog from another volunteer that is at FKLA now (added to side bar-twosailingships) and I am in awe. The time difference, the weather, the children. As I watch Brian’s videos and read his words, I start to get intimidated. It seems as though the people there are extremely friendly and hospitable. That should make it easier right? But what about if they don’t like me? What about if I can’t understand them? What about if I am too old to be there? All the other volunteers are high school or college kids. I’m almost ancient at 42. It's all relative.
Toby, one of the founders of FKLA, has asked me to help with some projects while I am there. The Day of the African Child. Below is information from last year’s event and the reasons for it. This year they are looking to have 2000 children participate.
“Flying Kites celebrates the Day of the African Child
On June 16th 2009, Flying Kites celebrated the Day of the African Child. The event marked the massacre of 1976 in Soweto, South Africa. On that day, hundreds of students took to the streets to protest the inferior quality of their education. Police opened fire and over 500 students lost their lives. June 16th was declared an international holiday by the Organization of African Unity in 1991. Last year, thanks to the efforts of Benson Nderitu, Njabini, Kinangop celebrated its first Day of the African Child. This year, Flying Kites Kinangop led its second parade, marching over 300 children to the local Chief ’s office to learn about their rights and meet the people whose duty it is to protect them.
Online videos of the day’s events are available here. “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6MXx37XJGo
Can you imagine? A massacre of children because they wanted education? I will be proud to be part of this event. This is just one reminder of how very different things are in other parts of the world. We have so much to be grateful for.
Toby also asked me to help with an upcoming conference of orphanages. I am not sure of the details but my answer will be yes. I will find out more at a fundraiser for FKLA on Tuesday night in NYC. Long story short, I am packing a suit to take with me to Kenya. I hadn’t planned on bringing heals to Africa but I guess I was wrong.
I thought I was going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro while in Kenya but this morning I woke up with the reality check of “How can I do everything that I want to? There is just no way.” In other words, I think that I am putting the trek on the back burner. I don’t think that I am physically ready. I have heard that the climb is not horrible but I don’t think that my body has totally recuperated. I still feel like I am in mini rest mode. Oh- you never know… As I write this, I think YES.. I can do it.. An ever present reminder that sometimes my brain and my body don’t communicate very well. Maybe next year I will go back and make that happen.
Speaking of mind/body connection, I came upon an awareness the other day. Ever since I decided to do this trip, my thoughts of cancer have subsided. They are not in the front of my brain anymore. I am not worried about Monday’s blood work or Friday’s oncologist appointment. It needed to be something big. Something that could knock out the last year of my life and put new, exciting and challenging thoughts into my brain patterns. It needed to be something that was not about me. It needed to be about others. Amazing how that works.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
I am finding myself getting lost in the internet as I start to put myself in another part of the world. I have just found a blog from another volunteer that is at FKLA now (added to side bar-twosailingships) and I am in awe. The time difference, the weather, the children. As I watch Brian’s videos and read his words, I start to get intimidated. It seems as though the people there are extremely friendly and hospitable. That should make it easier right? But what about if they don’t like me? What about if I can’t understand them? What about if I am too old to be there? All the other volunteers are high school or college kids. I’m almost ancient at 42. It's all relative.
Toby, one of the founders of FKLA, has asked me to help with some projects while I am there. The Day of the African Child. Below is information from last year’s event and the reasons for it. This year they are looking to have 2000 children participate.
“Flying Kites celebrates the Day of the African Child
On June 16th 2009, Flying Kites celebrated the Day of the African Child. The event marked the massacre of 1976 in Soweto, South Africa. On that day, hundreds of students took to the streets to protest the inferior quality of their education. Police opened fire and over 500 students lost their lives. June 16th was declared an international holiday by the Organization of African Unity in 1991. Last year, thanks to the efforts of Benson Nderitu, Njabini, Kinangop celebrated its first Day of the African Child. This year, Flying Kites Kinangop led its second parade, marching over 300 children to the local Chief ’s office to learn about their rights and meet the people whose duty it is to protect them.
Online videos of the day’s events are available here. “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6MXx37XJGo
Can you imagine? A massacre of children because they wanted education? I will be proud to be part of this event. This is just one reminder of how very different things are in other parts of the world. We have so much to be grateful for.
Toby also asked me to help with an upcoming conference of orphanages. I am not sure of the details but my answer will be yes. I will find out more at a fundraiser for FKLA on Tuesday night in NYC. Long story short, I am packing a suit to take with me to Kenya. I hadn’t planned on bringing heals to Africa but I guess I was wrong.
I thought I was going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro while in Kenya but this morning I woke up with the reality check of “How can I do everything that I want to? There is just no way.” In other words, I think that I am putting the trek on the back burner. I don’t think that I am physically ready. I have heard that the climb is not horrible but I don’t think that my body has totally recuperated. I still feel like I am in mini rest mode. Oh- you never know… As I write this, I think YES.. I can do it.. An ever present reminder that sometimes my brain and my body don’t communicate very well. Maybe next year I will go back and make that happen.
Speaking of mind/body connection, I came upon an awareness the other day. Ever since I decided to do this trip, my thoughts of cancer have subsided. They are not in the front of my brain anymore. I am not worried about Monday’s blood work or Friday’s oncologist appointment. It needed to be something big. Something that could knock out the last year of my life and put new, exciting and challenging thoughts into my brain patterns. It needed to be something that was not about me. It needed to be about others. Amazing how that works.
Friday, April 16, 2010
From the founder of Flying Kites
I hope this link moves you as much as it moved me..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-YaLd2SF7c
If you can not be part of the physical item donations, please consider a financial donation at the first giving website below.
Please sign up to get automatic updates of this blog by hitting the follow button on the left side and creating a google account if you don't already have one.
www.flyingkitesglobal.com
www.firstgiving.com/bethanyparks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-YaLd2SF7c
If you can not be part of the physical item donations, please consider a financial donation at the first giving website below.
Please sign up to get automatic updates of this blog by hitting the follow button on the left side and creating a google account if you don't already have one.
www.flyingkitesglobal.com
www.firstgiving.com/bethanyparks
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wish List
Below is a note from the Flying Kites Volunteer coordinator. I was told yesterday that there are three more girls that have just arrived at the facility. I would like to get them "adopted" as well. If you have any friends or family that would be interested in participating in this event, please let Kate Gifford know... kategifford@daviesoffice.com
Flying Kites Wish List
We are so thankful to our supporters and volunteers for all of the wonderful in-kind donations that they mail or bring to the Flying Kites Leadership Academy. Please refer to the following list for guidance about the items our children particularly need.
Please note that the Kenyan government taxes all packages mailed to our Kenyan PO Box. Some people choose to make a donation to Flying Kites to offset this cost.
Clothing/Footwear: 13 children need a lot of clothes and shoes! They are in particular need of warm fleeces, sweaters, and jackets. They also need black leather (or pleather) shoes to wear to school and church. The girls would love some casual and more formal dresses. Please refer to the chart below for guidance about sizes.
****OF PARTICULAR NEED---PAJAMAS...
Name Clothing Size
Height Chest Waist Foot Length
Alex (boy) 7 48” 24” 26” 8”
Ann 7 48” 25” 27” 9”
Benson 6 44” 24” 23” 8”
Daniel 8 51” 23” 28” 7.5”
Hannah 12 57” 28” 30” 9.5”
Isaac 6 44” 24” 25” 7”
James 14 58” 27” 30” 10”
Lucy O 6 43” 24” 25” 6”
Lucy W 6 47” 23” 23” 8.5”
Mary 6 46” 22” 23” 8”
Miriam 8 52” 27” 29” 8”
Moses 8 50” 25” 29” 8”
Rahab 4 40” 22” 22” 6”
Books: We’d appreciate books to add to our library.
- Picture books
- Young adult books
- Books with a Kenyan theme are much appreciated – our kids can really relate to them.
- Books designed to help children learn to read would be very useful.
- Our children have requested Bibles to keep by their beds.
- We are still building our textbook sets – perhaps instead of bringing books, you would like to purchase some textbooks at local bookshops for our students.
Toys: We’re really low on toys. If you’d like to bring some, we suggest bringing sturdy toys that can withstand a lot of use! Some specific toy suggestions:
- Any sort of educational game
- Jump ropes
- Puzzles
- Food/cooking sets
- Clay/play dough
- Crafts
- Sports Equipment (soccer balls and air pumps!)
DVDs: During the evening, we have electricity powered by a generator. During “generator time” the kids sometimes watch movies. Our children have made a special request for people to bring and send them movies with “real people” – i.e., live action movies, as opposed to cartoons.
Requests from the Matrons: Our matrons have requested the following to help them care for our children:
- Sewing kit
- Plastic cups, plates, bowls, and utensils
- Large thermoses
- Flashlights (solar powered and/or electric flashlights preferred)
- Size D batteries
- Umbrellas
- Chewable vitamins
School Supplies: Help us build a better school.
- Phonics/letter flashcards
- Pens (blue, black, and red)
- Calculators
- Notebooks
- Construction and manila paper
- Stamp pads
- Globes
- World, African, and Kenyan maps
I am hesitant to do this but am going to anyway,... I have a "Bethany Wish List". I knew but didn't really know how much this adventure was going to cost. Surprise, surprise... I just jumped in.
Bug Spray
Pepto Bismo
Tums
One of those Safari hats with the back that drops down..LLBean has them.
Protein bars
GoreTex socks
Wet Ones -- my new shower
AAA batteries for my head lamp
Purell
It's getting close. I am getting nervous. I look up at the stars at night and know that when I am in Kenya, everyone here will be looking at the same stars. It's a much smaller world than I thought.
I lay in bed each morning surrounded by my cats and love them up minute by minute and am aware that I will be without them in the not so distant future. Punky sprawls across my chest and licks my face and tells me that he loves me back. Mazey cuddles alongside me and purrs as if life couldn't get any better. And for those three or four minutes each morning, I agree... Life can't get any better. And I cry.
I will be having an open house on Saturday, April 24 from 11-6. Friends and family are invited and welcome. It will be a packing, organizing, send off party.
Rock on....
Flying Kites Wish List
We are so thankful to our supporters and volunteers for all of the wonderful in-kind donations that they mail or bring to the Flying Kites Leadership Academy. Please refer to the following list for guidance about the items our children particularly need.
Please note that the Kenyan government taxes all packages mailed to our Kenyan PO Box. Some people choose to make a donation to Flying Kites to offset this cost.
Clothing/Footwear: 13 children need a lot of clothes and shoes! They are in particular need of warm fleeces, sweaters, and jackets. They also need black leather (or pleather) shoes to wear to school and church. The girls would love some casual and more formal dresses. Please refer to the chart below for guidance about sizes.
****OF PARTICULAR NEED---PAJAMAS...
Name Clothing Size
Height Chest Waist Foot Length
Alex (boy) 7 48” 24” 26” 8”
Ann 7 48” 25” 27” 9”
Benson 6 44” 24” 23” 8”
Daniel 8 51” 23” 28” 7.5”
Hannah 12 57” 28” 30” 9.5”
Isaac 6 44” 24” 25” 7”
James 14 58” 27” 30” 10”
Lucy O 6 43” 24” 25” 6”
Lucy W 6 47” 23” 23” 8.5”
Mary 6 46” 22” 23” 8”
Miriam 8 52” 27” 29” 8”
Moses 8 50” 25” 29” 8”
Rahab 4 40” 22” 22” 6”
Books: We’d appreciate books to add to our library.
- Picture books
- Young adult books
- Books with a Kenyan theme are much appreciated – our kids can really relate to them.
- Books designed to help children learn to read would be very useful.
- Our children have requested Bibles to keep by their beds.
- We are still building our textbook sets – perhaps instead of bringing books, you would like to purchase some textbooks at local bookshops for our students.
Toys: We’re really low on toys. If you’d like to bring some, we suggest bringing sturdy toys that can withstand a lot of use! Some specific toy suggestions:
- Any sort of educational game
- Jump ropes
- Puzzles
- Food/cooking sets
- Clay/play dough
- Crafts
- Sports Equipment (soccer balls and air pumps!)
DVDs: During the evening, we have electricity powered by a generator. During “generator time” the kids sometimes watch movies. Our children have made a special request for people to bring and send them movies with “real people” – i.e., live action movies, as opposed to cartoons.
Requests from the Matrons: Our matrons have requested the following to help them care for our children:
- Sewing kit
- Plastic cups, plates, bowls, and utensils
- Large thermoses
- Flashlights (solar powered and/or electric flashlights preferred)
- Size D batteries
- Umbrellas
- Chewable vitamins
School Supplies: Help us build a better school.
- Phonics/letter flashcards
- Pens (blue, black, and red)
- Calculators
- Notebooks
- Construction and manila paper
- Stamp pads
- Globes
- World, African, and Kenyan maps
I am hesitant to do this but am going to anyway,... I have a "Bethany Wish List". I knew but didn't really know how much this adventure was going to cost. Surprise, surprise... I just jumped in.
Bug Spray
Pepto Bismo
Tums
One of those Safari hats with the back that drops down..LLBean has them.
Protein bars
GoreTex socks
Wet Ones -- my new shower
AAA batteries for my head lamp
Purell
It's getting close. I am getting nervous. I look up at the stars at night and know that when I am in Kenya, everyone here will be looking at the same stars. It's a much smaller world than I thought.
I lay in bed each morning surrounded by my cats and love them up minute by minute and am aware that I will be without them in the not so distant future. Punky sprawls across my chest and licks my face and tells me that he loves me back. Mazey cuddles alongside me and purrs as if life couldn't get any better. And for those three or four minutes each morning, I agree... Life can't get any better. And I cry.
I will be having an open house on Saturday, April 24 from 11-6. Friends and family are invited and welcome. It will be a packing, organizing, send off party.
Rock on....
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Selling the Corolla
Selling the Corolla
I had decided that three vehicles for one person is too many. Now that I was committed to going to Africa it was time to simplify – in a big way. And the Toyota Corolla was the first of thing to go. I still had a loan on it. The Toyota Sienna mini-van was paid for and could move furniture still if I needed to. Off to Craig’s list I went. I hadn’t really done this For Sale by Owner via the internet before but it seemed like it worked and it was free so I uploaded pictures, put the blue book value of $9,100 on it and waited for the emails to come in. And they did. One after another. I was so glad that I was a sales person and knew that I needed to pursue and follow up and call again and again. And as I was setting up appointments with various people, there was one woman who was being just as persistent a buyer, Maria. She called and let me know she was talking to her husband and they had two small kids and she offered me $7,500. I know how to sell chairs. I know where the bottom line is in my market. Cars – this is a whole different gig. But the premise is the same. No Thank You, how about $8,500 and off we went as if at a garage sale.
Speaking of garage sales, my mom has mastered the art of haggling. Her entertainment is garage sales. On Thursday she gets the paper, highlights the sales that are in good neighborhoods and heads to the bank to get singles and quarters. On Friday morning she picks up Mary at the crack of dawn in the most ratty clothes they have stuffed with crinkled bills and the car that needs to be washed the most. They get to the “best” sale first, wait for the owners to finish their coffee and start nattering away from $5 to $2 and from 50 cents to a quarter. Every time I see her, she has a bag of stuff for me, or my friend Sara or the neighbor next door or my friend Aimee or the lady at the gas station. I am so glad that she took up this form of entertainment after I graduated from high school. Needless to say, my mother never pays full price for anything.
Now I had Maria/my mother trying to get me to give away my car. Yes, she had two kids and needed someone to help her. Yes, times were tough. Yes, I understand you only have so much money. And yes, I know that my mother stacks the deck in her favor when she goes to buy anything. Maria gets me to $8,300. And the next thing you know she is on her way to my house with her husband and kids in tow. Now my dad’s voice kicks in “Don’t let anyone test drive your car. They might steal it.” “Don’t meet anyone at your house that you don’t know.” “Don’t, don’t, don’t.” Uh, huh.
Maria, her husband and the two young girls pull up to my house in an older Toyota Camry. I was thrilled to see that they were a Toyota family but in the back of my mind I thought…stack the deck, stack the deck. They pile out of the car into my front lawn. The family is definitely from the Middle East. As we shake hands and do introductions I find that Maria has great English but her husband’s is very hard to understand. He does the walk around the car, check inside, pop the hood and poke here and there. Can he take it for a test drive? I say Yes even though in my head my dad is saying “He is going to wreck the car.” I figure that he has left his wife and children behind so I have something to bargain with if anything happens to my car. As if what? I am going to take the wife and kids hostage and negotiate with this unshaven man from the Middle East? Yeah, right. My brain can get so convoluted at times.
So Maria’s husband returns with my car. It runs great. Everything is good. I ask where they are from.
“Afghanistan” he answers.
OH MY. “Whereabouts?” I ask
“Kandahar”
“Ah… my brother just came back from Afghanistan. He was in Paktya working with the AirForce Intelligence Department on their Provincial Reconstruction Teams. He speaks Arabic and was working to develop relationships with some of the tribes in the more rural areas.”
The gentleman starts to tell me that he will be leaving for Baltimore in two weeks and will be working for the US Army. He will be working as a translator for our soldiers and will be sent overseas in the not so distant future. He is buying the car for his wife so she has something safe to drive. OK. I get it. There is something bigger going on here. For some reason I don’t think he is stacking the deck with this one.
“$8,000. Won’t you please help us?” he says.
“Sorry. I have done as much as I can. I am on sabbatical and headed to do volunteer work in Africa and just got my tax bill back. I have done everything I can for you.”
We are at a stalemate.
“Wait here” he says. He walks to his car and comes back, handing me a fist full of cash. $100 and $50 bills.
“What is this?” I ask.
“The money for the car.”
“How much is here?”
“Count it.”
I have never held this amount of cash in my hand before. I do a quick fan through the stack. “No, I am not going to count it. How much is here?”
“$8,000”
I am not going to fold. NO I AM NOT. My mother would not fold. If she only wants to pay a quarter, that is all she is going to pay. I hand him back this stack of paper and tell him that the price is $8,300 and that I need to go show the car in two hours to someone who will be closer to the asking price. Sorry and I walk away. AHHHHH…
Maria has asked how many CDs the car holds. She is interested in the tinted windows. She likes the burled wood on the dash. Now she speaks up “I have another $200 in the car”
We have a deal.
From the act of selling my car I learned some much needed lessons for my upcoming trip. Cash. This is the currency that is used in other parts of the world. This is what motivates people. This is what Maria and her husband were counting on. But I didn’t totally cave and for that I am happy. I am told that in other parts of the world, no one pays the asking price for anything. Offer HALF. OK. I guess this isn’t Subaru. I will have to watch and listen.
Judgementalism exists within me. I was quick to note that these people were from the Middle East. My brain has been programmed to be skeptical and nervous about foreigners. On the other hand, my brother has demonstrated to me how to be totally open and receptive to all different types of people, as well as being cautious at the same time. As we worked through the rest of the logistics with the sale of the car, we developed a trust with each other. By the time the transaction was done, Maria and I had exchanged email addresses and we wished each other the best of luck in the future. I know that as I head to Kenya that I am being more aware of this. I will be on the receiving end of this when I arrive there. I hope that I represent the US well.
I talked about this experience with some friends and the idea that I was a woman negotiating with a man also came up. I had not really given this a second thought. However, not all cultures are like this and it will be in my best interest to pay attention to this.
So- I have lightened my load a bit, started to wrap my head around some basic ideas and in the process have gotten closer to my next adventure. Peace out!
I had decided that three vehicles for one person is too many. Now that I was committed to going to Africa it was time to simplify – in a big way. And the Toyota Corolla was the first of thing to go. I still had a loan on it. The Toyota Sienna mini-van was paid for and could move furniture still if I needed to. Off to Craig’s list I went. I hadn’t really done this For Sale by Owner via the internet before but it seemed like it worked and it was free so I uploaded pictures, put the blue book value of $9,100 on it and waited for the emails to come in. And they did. One after another. I was so glad that I was a sales person and knew that I needed to pursue and follow up and call again and again. And as I was setting up appointments with various people, there was one woman who was being just as persistent a buyer, Maria. She called and let me know she was talking to her husband and they had two small kids and she offered me $7,500. I know how to sell chairs. I know where the bottom line is in my market. Cars – this is a whole different gig. But the premise is the same. No Thank You, how about $8,500 and off we went as if at a garage sale.
Speaking of garage sales, my mom has mastered the art of haggling. Her entertainment is garage sales. On Thursday she gets the paper, highlights the sales that are in good neighborhoods and heads to the bank to get singles and quarters. On Friday morning she picks up Mary at the crack of dawn in the most ratty clothes they have stuffed with crinkled bills and the car that needs to be washed the most. They get to the “best” sale first, wait for the owners to finish their coffee and start nattering away from $5 to $2 and from 50 cents to a quarter. Every time I see her, she has a bag of stuff for me, or my friend Sara or the neighbor next door or my friend Aimee or the lady at the gas station. I am so glad that she took up this form of entertainment after I graduated from high school. Needless to say, my mother never pays full price for anything.
Now I had Maria/my mother trying to get me to give away my car. Yes, she had two kids and needed someone to help her. Yes, times were tough. Yes, I understand you only have so much money. And yes, I know that my mother stacks the deck in her favor when she goes to buy anything. Maria gets me to $8,300. And the next thing you know she is on her way to my house with her husband and kids in tow. Now my dad’s voice kicks in “Don’t let anyone test drive your car. They might steal it.” “Don’t meet anyone at your house that you don’t know.” “Don’t, don’t, don’t.” Uh, huh.
Maria, her husband and the two young girls pull up to my house in an older Toyota Camry. I was thrilled to see that they were a Toyota family but in the back of my mind I thought…stack the deck, stack the deck. They pile out of the car into my front lawn. The family is definitely from the Middle East. As we shake hands and do introductions I find that Maria has great English but her husband’s is very hard to understand. He does the walk around the car, check inside, pop the hood and poke here and there. Can he take it for a test drive? I say Yes even though in my head my dad is saying “He is going to wreck the car.” I figure that he has left his wife and children behind so I have something to bargain with if anything happens to my car. As if what? I am going to take the wife and kids hostage and negotiate with this unshaven man from the Middle East? Yeah, right. My brain can get so convoluted at times.
So Maria’s husband returns with my car. It runs great. Everything is good. I ask where they are from.
“Afghanistan” he answers.
OH MY. “Whereabouts?” I ask
“Kandahar”
“Ah… my brother just came back from Afghanistan. He was in Paktya working with the AirForce Intelligence Department on their Provincial Reconstruction Teams. He speaks Arabic and was working to develop relationships with some of the tribes in the more rural areas.”
The gentleman starts to tell me that he will be leaving for Baltimore in two weeks and will be working for the US Army. He will be working as a translator for our soldiers and will be sent overseas in the not so distant future. He is buying the car for his wife so she has something safe to drive. OK. I get it. There is something bigger going on here. For some reason I don’t think he is stacking the deck with this one.
“$8,000. Won’t you please help us?” he says.
“Sorry. I have done as much as I can. I am on sabbatical and headed to do volunteer work in Africa and just got my tax bill back. I have done everything I can for you.”
We are at a stalemate.
“Wait here” he says. He walks to his car and comes back, handing me a fist full of cash. $100 and $50 bills.
“What is this?” I ask.
“The money for the car.”
“How much is here?”
“Count it.”
I have never held this amount of cash in my hand before. I do a quick fan through the stack. “No, I am not going to count it. How much is here?”
“$8,000”
I am not going to fold. NO I AM NOT. My mother would not fold. If she only wants to pay a quarter, that is all she is going to pay. I hand him back this stack of paper and tell him that the price is $8,300 and that I need to go show the car in two hours to someone who will be closer to the asking price. Sorry and I walk away. AHHHHH…
Maria has asked how many CDs the car holds. She is interested in the tinted windows. She likes the burled wood on the dash. Now she speaks up “I have another $200 in the car”
We have a deal.
From the act of selling my car I learned some much needed lessons for my upcoming trip. Cash. This is the currency that is used in other parts of the world. This is what motivates people. This is what Maria and her husband were counting on. But I didn’t totally cave and for that I am happy. I am told that in other parts of the world, no one pays the asking price for anything. Offer HALF. OK. I guess this isn’t Subaru. I will have to watch and listen.
Judgementalism exists within me. I was quick to note that these people were from the Middle East. My brain has been programmed to be skeptical and nervous about foreigners. On the other hand, my brother has demonstrated to me how to be totally open and receptive to all different types of people, as well as being cautious at the same time. As we worked through the rest of the logistics with the sale of the car, we developed a trust with each other. By the time the transaction was done, Maria and I had exchanged email addresses and we wished each other the best of luck in the future. I know that as I head to Kenya that I am being more aware of this. I will be on the receiving end of this when I arrive there. I hope that I represent the US well.
I talked about this experience with some friends and the idea that I was a woman negotiating with a man also came up. I had not really given this a second thought. However, not all cultures are like this and it will be in my best interest to pay attention to this.
So- I have lightened my load a bit, started to wrap my head around some basic ideas and in the process have gotten closer to my next adventure. Peace out!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
I'm in....
Really... I am doing this. I am really, really, REALLY going to Africa. Kenya. Nairobi. Njibini. To live/volunteer at an orphanage. Where there is electricity for two hours. Where there isn't really any hot water. Where it is a vegetarian menu. Where there are 13 African children with no parents. Where there are another 55 children that come in for an education. WHO DO I THINK I AM??? I am NOT the Red Cross. I don't have to save the world. So what is the deal??? What am i really getting out of this? Change. New. Life. And maybe I need to make sure to ask myself, do i want to get something or do i want to GIVE something? I actually want both. I want to give. I want to make a difference. I want to share the love and caring and generosity of spirit that has been so freely given to me. I want to pass that on. I want to get hugs. I want to learn the meaning of my ignorance and learn how little i know about the world. I want to live by what Helen Keller says "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." I want it all. Is that so much to ask? I think not.
I ordered a Global Phone. I am hoping that I can update this blog from Kenya with the new Verizon Tour. We will see. If not, I am told that emails and the internet will be available on my plan so i will be able to post on Facebook I think. Texting costs millions of dollars but Blackberry Messenger is free with my plan. SO - if you are a blackberry user, please send "friend" me or whatever that is called and we can chat while i am hanging out with the zebras and watching the migration of the wildebeest.
The flight is booked. Departure date Saturday, May 1 out of JFK. Return date, July 10. It takes two days to get to Narobi with a layover in London. I have always wanted to go hang out with my friend, Teri Moore, in London so it looks like this will be the plan..... having some fish and chips on the other side of the pond while waiting for the transfer. I hope TM will be in town. We haven't really confirmed this yet, but whatever.. I am sure they have fish and chips in Terminal C if that doesn't pan out.
My friend, Kate Gifford, has taken the charge of organizing donations for all the children. Each of the 13 children now have "adoptive families" here. We are on track to make something really wonderful happen. I spoke to the volunteer coordinator today and she will be sending me the email that has recently been set up for the children so that they get their own mail... (during the two hours that the generator is on at night.)
If i can figure this blog thing out some more, I will post some links to You Tube videos, the sizes of the children, wish list items, the whole gig. I am hoping that this technology thing will work for me.
With that, i just need to say again--- YIKES!!!!!! What am I thinking??? I am leaving my job, my house, my friends, my family, spending money that i should really save for retirement or something more practical than this, and just heading across the globe. But it is really the strangest, strangest, strangest thing... Every day that i was going through cancer treatments i said this prayer "God, I offer myself to thee... to do with me as thy will. Remove me from the bondage of self." Now listen, I KNOW how hokey this sounds. YES... It's bizarre. It's over the top. I sound like a Bible thumper. Believe me, I KNOW... But anyway, that's the prayer that i said day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute sometimes. And it carried me. It helped me to keep things in perspective. This is not my life. It's not. For some strange reason, I found out I had cancer. Yea, ok... that's a scary thing. What would have been more scary - not finding it.... and then what??? So with that, I know I have been given a second chance at this thing called life and I REFUSE... ADAMANTLY REFUSE to just meander through it. No matter what is in front of me, I will do whatever it takes to live life to the fullest.
And now--- to whoever is reading this..I hate to sound all preachy but here goes... This can happen to you too. Your life can change in a heartbeat. I was sitting checking emails in an exam room and was told that i have cancer. I had plans for lunch that day. I had things to do. I was busy. I was just like everyone else. And then it changed. And again - it CAN happen to any of us. I don't say this to make people worry or scared or to live life in a bubble wondering if they are going to get cancer or MS or get hit by a bus. I say this for the exact opposite reason. I say this to suggest that people really look at their dreams. Really spend time thinking about what they want. Watch the Bucket List. This is the real deal. There is no time like the present. Just do it. If nothing else, i want to pass on the idea or the thought or the belief that everything is possible. Look at your fears. and then just walk over them. Get past them. But the first thing is - WHAT DO YOU WANT??? For me, hanging out on the other side of the world with not a soul that i know, doing something that makes a difference has me totally at peace. And that is what I want... Peace and Serenity... and to Laugh Out Loud....
I ordered a Global Phone. I am hoping that I can update this blog from Kenya with the new Verizon Tour. We will see. If not, I am told that emails and the internet will be available on my plan so i will be able to post on Facebook I think. Texting costs millions of dollars but Blackberry Messenger is free with my plan. SO - if you are a blackberry user, please send "friend" me or whatever that is called and we can chat while i am hanging out with the zebras and watching the migration of the wildebeest.
The flight is booked. Departure date Saturday, May 1 out of JFK. Return date, July 10. It takes two days to get to Narobi with a layover in London. I have always wanted to go hang out with my friend, Teri Moore, in London so it looks like this will be the plan..... having some fish and chips on the other side of the pond while waiting for the transfer. I hope TM will be in town. We haven't really confirmed this yet, but whatever.. I am sure they have fish and chips in Terminal C if that doesn't pan out.
My friend, Kate Gifford, has taken the charge of organizing donations for all the children. Each of the 13 children now have "adoptive families" here. We are on track to make something really wonderful happen. I spoke to the volunteer coordinator today and she will be sending me the email that has recently been set up for the children so that they get their own mail... (during the two hours that the generator is on at night.)
If i can figure this blog thing out some more, I will post some links to You Tube videos, the sizes of the children, wish list items, the whole gig. I am hoping that this technology thing will work for me.
With that, i just need to say again--- YIKES!!!!!! What am I thinking??? I am leaving my job, my house, my friends, my family, spending money that i should really save for retirement or something more practical than this, and just heading across the globe. But it is really the strangest, strangest, strangest thing... Every day that i was going through cancer treatments i said this prayer "God, I offer myself to thee... to do with me as thy will. Remove me from the bondage of self." Now listen, I KNOW how hokey this sounds. YES... It's bizarre. It's over the top. I sound like a Bible thumper. Believe me, I KNOW... But anyway, that's the prayer that i said day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute sometimes. And it carried me. It helped me to keep things in perspective. This is not my life. It's not. For some strange reason, I found out I had cancer. Yea, ok... that's a scary thing. What would have been more scary - not finding it.... and then what??? So with that, I know I have been given a second chance at this thing called life and I REFUSE... ADAMANTLY REFUSE to just meander through it. No matter what is in front of me, I will do whatever it takes to live life to the fullest.
And now--- to whoever is reading this..I hate to sound all preachy but here goes... This can happen to you too. Your life can change in a heartbeat. I was sitting checking emails in an exam room and was told that i have cancer. I had plans for lunch that day. I had things to do. I was busy. I was just like everyone else. And then it changed. And again - it CAN happen to any of us. I don't say this to make people worry or scared or to live life in a bubble wondering if they are going to get cancer or MS or get hit by a bus. I say this for the exact opposite reason. I say this to suggest that people really look at their dreams. Really spend time thinking about what they want. Watch the Bucket List. This is the real deal. There is no time like the present. Just do it. If nothing else, i want to pass on the idea or the thought or the belief that everything is possible. Look at your fears. and then just walk over them. Get past them. But the first thing is - WHAT DO YOU WANT??? For me, hanging out on the other side of the world with not a soul that i know, doing something that makes a difference has me totally at peace. And that is what I want... Peace and Serenity... and to Laugh Out Loud....
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