Week One

Hello all!

The first week is coming to a close. We cannot believe it. We have been visiting many schools that are supported by the Umoja project. So, we have met the principals, LINK teachers (those who connect the students with Umoja staff with information) and the children who are supported by the project. The children are vulnerable children (whose parents don't make enough money to support them) and/or orphans are supported with school lunches (sponsored by guardians and Umoja) and emergency equipment by Umoja. There is a Kenyan team on the ground here that works with the teachers and GIP in Indy. I think this is a great model for a NGO because they have many Kenyans learning and running the processes here and the guardians (those who take care of the orphans) are also responsible and are learning valuable, income flowing, sustainable trades to have money. This is great! We also saw similar things in Nairobi with beads and fabric. This is very important, especially for women, to have skills (definitely if they are single mothers or widows) and to feel valued and important- knowing they can take care of themselves.
I really love it here. I already feel comfortable here and it is very similar in ways to Latin America, where I have traveled a lot, but I feel that my experiences there have very well prepared me for this experience, especially seeing the poverty. I still have yet to internalize this and I’m not sure how I will do this but I’m currently taking it all in.
But it is so nice to be able to speak English, though many mainly speak Luo (and a lot of KiSwahili).
We have been meeting many people and trying to do some touristy stuff, as well. I am having a great time here and we will update soon! Homestays start on Monday!

p.s. Laura has been AMAZING!!!!!!!! And we’re excited to Callie and Mariah very soon!