Those three simple words . . .

Obediah and Kefa

Today, two of the children said "I love you" to me. While you can hear these three words from your parents, your spouse, lover or a friend there is something indescribably powerful when a child says it to you. It makes it that much harder to think about leaving Faraja. Which is why I know that this experience is going to develop into a life long commitment. While I've always thought about the possibility of being a mother to biological children I now know in my heart that I am meant to take care of children that are already here. My sons and daughters are already living.

A bedroom at Faraja. One room has 13 girls, the other 13 boys

I never thought I would be able to cook for 32 children but thanks to cooking lessons with Omari, I'm able to do it and enjoy every minute of it! The kids give my bean soup great reviews. We had a chapati making party today and even got the kids involved. Chapati is similar to pita and we make it from water, wheat flour and salt. We make the dough and then slice it, roll it and fry it. Preparing, cooking and eating food together is an essential component to our Faraja family. Ester, a beautiful eight year old girl, who was responsible to roll out the dough for me, and I had a little food fight and laughed so hard we found ourselves on the floor covered in flour. We cleaned up before anyone noticed;)

Ester, Morra's youngest child

Momma is always trying to feed us but many times we make up excuses since we know food is low. Yesterday, she followed me down the hill with eggs telling me to take them and eat them so that I keep up my strength. Food pushers are universal, I used to think only Italian grandmas behaved that way.

I am teaching the kids how to make pizza next week, if Momma gives me the ok, of course. They tell me they have never had it but have heard of it and really want to taste it.

Volunteering does not equal vacation

This is obviously the first time I have volunteered abroad, possibly not the last, but I am thankful for the set up that IVHQ and Fadhili have provided us. During the week we are at our placements from about 9-4; sometimes you'll stay early and sometimes you'll stay late. But, during weekends you are provided with plenty of excursions. Fadhili has offered a 3-4 day safari, a city exploration, IDP weekend (including a visit to Hell's Gate), trips to Mombasa and other getaways. I feel it is an opportunity to unwind with friends following the work week that can also be emotionally draining. You'll be updated on these weekend excursions, as for now check out Gloria's post for what we did last weekend.

At Faraja, well there is a lot of work to be done. Six years ago the orphanage left it's location in the slums of Kibera (the largest in the world, 2nd is Soweto, South Africa). Ten months ago they've arrived at their current location. Approximately 2 months ago Fadhili Community started putting placements in Faraja. There is a lot of work to do in order to help them become sustainable. As we finished our third day Karen, Gloria, and myself have begun brainstorming ideas of how to help them become able to help themselves. I believe first on the list is creating a more cleanly environment. From building a fire pit that can divert smoke/fumes away from the children and house, to education on better hygiene, to building shelves/cubbies to keep their belongings off the floor. If they can cut down on hospital costs maybe those funds can be diverted elsewhere and improve their ability to produce and obtain income.

Water pump that delivers water
to the local farm. They provide
free water to Faraja

My daily routine is fetching about 200L of water. The boys chip in with fetching water when they get home as well. But they consume about 225L of water daily due to cooking, washing, and drinking. I just hope to offset the daily usage on my hauls. On the 1/4mi uphill route I have met "the neighbors", from a Sudanese businessman who sells houses in Kenya to Joyce, Dijomon, and Wilson who work on a nearby farm that will see its first selling season in about 2 month. All look for sustainability, not a handout. They are doing the best they can and some are doing very well.

Dominick cooking lunch

I also help cook breakfast and lunch, collect firewood and been all about town. Momma Morra's direct neighbors are actually a husband/wife doctor/nurse team. I have spoken with the wife and will hopefully get in touch with Public health to get ideas on how to help improve living conditions. They are not bad for the children's standards, but we hope to be able to improve the general health of their surrounding atmosphere.

Once we get settled on a project I will write. I may even set up a PayPal if you'd like to help over the next 4 weeks. I have also contacted Kiva and will hear back from this week with news of how to start a loan attempt. 

I will upload photos when there is time. I try not to take photos when citizens are around, it's considered rude. You must see the beauty of this land and those who I am talking about.

A goat giving birth, eating camel, feeding giraffes?!

It has been sometime since we have been able to hit up an internet cafe. I have missed writing.

On Friday I witnessed a goat giving birth on a pile of garbage just about two feet from me. No one around me seemed to notice but i was in awe of the process and a little sick to my stomach at the same time. I frequently pass live stock while walking from place to place.

Karen going a little too far
trying to get her proteins in
Carnivore

Saturday was wild. we decided to venture out to an infamous restaurant called Carnivore, in Karen, a town near Nairobi proper. The idea is to delight in exotic meats until you nearly explode...I was unable to do so and stopped after eating a small bite of the uber chewy camel. thinking about it makes me want to throw up. Marc, Karen and Claire tasted the ox balls. I hear they taste like salty eggs. Go figure.

Sunday was amazing. Marc, Claire, Karen and I decided to go to mass to watch our house momma perform in the choir and to learn more about her church. it was a wonderful experience. The pastor gave a sermon on being thankful and that just sums up the whole experience here thus far. I am so thankful that i am able to be here and I am so thankful for everything I have back home waiting for me. the pastor called us up and introduced us to the congregation and then they made us a special tea to show their appreciation. Kenyan's are so hospitable. If someone had one piece of fruit to her name, she would share it with as many people as she could.

Video 1: Dancing with Issac and his school mates

Video 2: At the giraffe park

Marc making friends at the
monkey park

After church we met up with some other volunteers and headed to an elephant orphanage, went to feed giraffes and went to a monkey park where little monkeys jump on you and try to steal food from you. Was a pretty amazing weekend.

Now back to our babies. Three of them are very sick and had to be hospitalized yesterday. While momma Mora was at the hospital with them it was discovered that she too had to be hospitalized. Marc went to be with her at the hospital and it was determined that she had been having an asthma attack. Karen and I stayed back to run the show. The kids are really opening up to us and despite the sadness of their past they are so full of love and faith and joy.

Morra was released back home today but was exhausted. Marc, Karen and I were perfectly capable of holding down the fort and told her to sleep in, something she hasn't done in years. They are very self sufficient children. The children serve themselves food, build fire to cook, hand wash their uniforms and wash their own shoes. Kefa, the youngest and only over year old, feeds himself and navigates up and down stairs. Michael,who is only about six, knows how to wash and hang clothes. It's remarkable.

Marc, Karen and I also met with Momma Morra to explore possible revenue building opportunities for the orphanage. Some ideas were to sell cards or detergent in town and to possibly start a website of the place and have a mechanism to make online donations. It's all up in the air at this moment but we are hoping to have a plan in place prior to our departure. It's our belief that in addition to our short term volunteer project we can enable them to do something great for themselves long term.

Sending you all hugs and kisses. signing off.

Our first day

Today was our first day at the faraja children's home. It is so tough both physically and emotionally but I have never loved doing anything in my life as much as I love being with the children today. There are 32 children at our location and many have health problems and learning delays. Five of our babies are HIV positive. Most of the children have lost both of their parents to disease and have known no other life outside of an orphanage.

Omari and Morra

I feel compelled to tell you about Momma Morra and her biological son, Omari. Morra started taking in children six years ago from a slum outside Nairobi called Kibera. She moved her orphanage to Ngong just ten months ago and only recently began receiving assistance for the home from the government. For many of the children she is the only mother they have known. Omari is studying civil engineering at the University of Nairobi and assists his mom with caring for the children. He tells me that he get no more than three hours of sleep a night. I don't know how they do it. They are truly angels among us.

One of the roads to Faraja

There is no running water at the children's home so we have to walk about three city blocks up a steep dirt road to collect buckets to bring back to the home. The food is scarce too but Omari knows how to stretch it to make sure the children always have three square meals a day. He is an amazing chef. there is a chicken coop where we collect eggs and eventually the chickens will be used for meat. The clothes and dishes are all washed by hand and a garden is maintained where kale and cabbage are grown.

Kefa and his brother Rojas

The children are so respectful and well behaved and many attend a nearby elementary school. My sweetheart is named Kefa. Kefa is a year old and lost both his parents to HIV related illness. He is the most beautiful child i have ever laid eyes on. today we taught him how to blow kisses:)

Our home in Faraja

We are staying about a mile and half from the children's home with our momma Naiomi. there are four of us sharing a small room and we are the fortunate few who have running water. Momma Naiomi cooks for us and has made us feel extremely welcome.

My heart is so fully of joy and love today. Remember how blessed you all are. xoxo