Recently I was introduced to Ruth, an eleven year old from town. Sarah and I were walking into Njabini and at the bottom of the hill we found her standing with no shoes on in mud ankle deep staring out at the field. It was spitting rain and it was late morning on a week day. I was sad to find out that Ruth had epilepsy and had been married off at ten years old. She was later removed from that abusive relationship and put in the custody of another guardian. It appeared as though this guardian could not afford shoes for Ruth and because of that she was not allowed into school. It was heartbreaking to say the least. I toted Ruth to the market and bought her gum boots ($3.00), socks (50 cents) and bananas (15 cents). We went to the Gimwa (Njabini's version of a diner) and had Kenyan tea and mandazi (donuts). She didn't say a word the whole time. After a bit, she got up and left, most likely headed home.
I was changed by this experience. I couldn't help but think that there were numerous other children in the area that were living in close to the same circumstances. I wondered if I should go buy 100 pair of gum boots to hand out to kids but then wondered what I would do when the next hundred children came up and said "give me gum boots". These children know that much English. "Give Me". And I have learned to say "No. That's rude". Emotions start to get hardened. Almost like seeing the homeless people in the city. I see the poverty. I see how poor people are. And there are times that I wish I was reading a book instead of walking through it.
For the first two weeks I was here, I had this thought that I could change everything... do more fund raising and send books and clothes and start a new farming program and fix the HIV/AIDS issues and every other thing that I thought needed to be done. And then I realized that I really needed to keep it simple. I am still tutoring three children and I have decided that if I can help them with basic english skills, then this is enough.
Yesterday Olivia, Frannie and I were walking back to the house at about the same time as school was let out. This meant that we automatically became the Pied Pipers. We ended up with about fifty kids following us down the road. Most of them had very limited English but they just wanted to walk with us. Eventually we came up with our own language that consisted of grunts and he-haws and smiles and hand gestures and laughs. And Ruth was in the pack with her new gum boots on and a smile that went ear to ear. Even though we can't communicate, I know that we are friends.
There have been times when I have thought of cutting my trip short. And then I end up with one of "my" students stopping to chat with me about how much he enjoyed the "talking book" (leapfrog computer thing) this morning and I remember that he doesn't have parents or extended family to care for him. I remember that this is his home and this is where he is loved. I remember that I am here to be of service to him and the other children here. It seems as though I still have work to do.
Peace out.
P.S. I thought of shaving my head again but have opted for the long, scraggly hair under the hat look instead. I am SO looking forward to a cut and color at some point. AND a pedicure!!!
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