September 11th - Saying Goodbye

Bottom line – it was a lot harder than I thought it would be.

In the morning I was on my own as Anna had been to Tumaini the night before. It was also Anna's birthday and so first thing I asked the kids what they sang on someones birthday ... here I was thinking there might be some local tradition we could surprise Anna with, but no, they proceeded to sing good old Happy Birthday – though they had an extra verse ... “How Old Are You Now” etc. etc. - nothing like the direct Kenyan culture! Then English – another round of the word game they enjoyed. Afterward, I observed CRE (Community Religious Education I believe) - it was a good class - the topic was friends and what are the qualities that make a good friend – it was an excellent list: kind, honest, helpful, respectful, humble, show love, joyful and patient – and made me grateful for the many good friends in my life. Late morning was Kiswahili and then phys ed – which gave Kieran, Claire and I time to go over to Precious to collect our certificates – all the kids were sitting in the hall waiting for us and Jane gave a lovely speech – which included getting all of our information and telling us in detail how we could send money and what even just a little bit of money could do to help them – one dollar bought 10 notebooks if I remember correctly. Jane has a good heart and I give her full credit for using all her powers of persuasion to get more resources for these kids.

We were back at Olives in time for lunch and some volleyball with the girls before finishing the day with math – which of course, I enjoyed – until I realized I'd asked them to do revision work for a chapter they hadn't yet covered ... they were good sports about it and so we did it together and by the end, they were kind of getting it - I think ... Then it was time to celebrate Anna's birthday – the version of Happy Birthday was even louder and more rousing than this morning once they realized she had brought them cakes. Then I brought out my camera and we got a couple of 'class photos' before total pandemonium of cakes and pictures took over.

At the end of class, I tried to tell them that I believed in them and what they could become – and that I wanted them to study and achieve their dreams. My heart was in my throat by the end. I gave them my address and who knows – I hope somehow to keep in touch. Steven, the founder, thanked us – again, emotion in my throat. As we were walking away, all I could think was that I was glad I was wearing sunglasses. One final walk back through the village and that was it, this most amazing, incredible experience was over. I was really going to miss the school and the kids.

Home to pack – of the 6 volunteers, 4 were leaving which felt odd. Kieran was the first to go and then as the rest of us weren't leaving until Saturday we headed out for dinner to celebrate Anna's birthday. Another local restaurant set in a garden with an outside bar area. The menu was once again straight forward – chicken, goat or pork for the carnivores and then a selection of potatoes (chipped, mashed, roasted) and a tomato and onion salad for the veggies – for me, veggies, 2 sprite and the taxi was 430 shillings or $6. One last sleep in the top bunk, one last quick cold shower and I was off in my 4am taxi for my 5.30am flight. Everything went smoothly – and I loved how different my experience was at the Nairobi airport changing terminals versus when I arrived - a totally different level of comfort. And then the cold air of the plane and relief from the caterpillars – mundane I know, but I can't tell you what a relief it was in the moment ... what can I say, I'm a real wimp with this stuff ...