The ride into Karen (the town we are in) was probably the most danger I have been in so far. Olivia asked a very good question of our driver, joseph.
"Are there speed limits here?"
We got an answer that didn't surprise me. "Nope."
The lines down the center of the road are optional, if they exist at all. And drivers don't have a problem passing on the shoulder and screaming at the top of their lungs. There were numerous times when matatus were headed straight toward us in our lane. Its like a game of chicken on a constant basis. And then just add in roundabouts and its disaster waiting to happen. As we were getting to camp, we were stuck in a "jam". What we saw was the end of a bumper car ralley with a matatu and a car just wrecked up and then all the other traffic beeping and yelling and trying to get to wherever they were going. People were getting out of their cars and it was pure mayhem. Joseph was part of it. In and out of the car. Yelling at this one, then that one and blah, blah, blah. All I could do was put my head down and chuckle, hoping against hope that we would get to camp wildebeest in one piece. And we did. The ride was treacherous but I kept thinking "Disney. Disney. Disney."
I don't know if I have mentioned this yet but we are having an event in June. It's the Day of the African Child. Brian has been planning this for a number of months and it promises to be a festive occassion. There is a poetry contest, a parade, food, facepainters, entertainers and it will all happen at the site of FKLA's new school. It is very exciting and I am so glad that I will be here for this. The school kids from Flying Kites are preparing a song and it will be performed that day. It's just like a school play or a lip sync contest - Africa style.
Every day I scroll through the pictures I have taken since I have been here. I have come to know fourteen kids. I am learning their stories and their histories and in spite of this I often forget how tough their lives have been. They are so well adjusted that I have a tough time comprehending that one of them was found in the forest and another had a mother that wanted to boil him and another was raped by her uncle. I just don't understand this. These kids just want to learn to speak english or grasp the concept of multiplication or play with an i-pod. So simple. And yet so difficult.
Earlier this week as I was riding into nairobi on a matatu, I experienced first hand some of the government corruption. There were policemen stationed along the road, kind of like an inspection check point. All matatus needed to stop and check in with the cops. And by the way, the passing fee was 50 shillings I think. And we must have been pulled over four or five times within a forty five minute drive. There are so many people with their hands out here - any way to make a buck. Extortion is not against the law. Reminder - the Wild West.
At the same time there is another group of people who gets it. There are a lot of teachers here working on building a foundation within the children. There are agencies involved with trying to get people tested for HIV. There are government officials trying to rid their communities of corruption. None of this changes over night. Its going to be a long road but it is very interesting to watch and be exposed to. We are so very fortunate in the USA and we must not take it for granted.
With that - toodles.
Bethany
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