The most memorable day of my stay in Kenya!!

I can with full confidence call yesterday as the most memorable day of my stay here. It was a Parents’ Visiting/Prize giving day in Jane’s school and I decided to go. This time Julie (one of the interns at Living Positive and a very close friend of mine) also decided to come along. I was happy to see that Jane recognized me even after I had opened my braids and this time I could feel her exercising her authority over me, a pleasant change from the last time when I was finding it hard to explain to her that I am hers.. She was trying to talk to me with whatever limited English she knew showing me around, telling me how a snake entered their dorm and telling me that she has lost her plate already.

Apart from the normal Mom-Daughter bonding, there were some other aspects which made the day memorable for me:

Giving the awards

The Ceremony: African schools have a pretty fun way of singing hymns.. They all dance and they use a broken water barrel as drums and everybody sings.. Julie and I also joined and danced with the kids and the teachers. There were some plays in Swahili and poems and traditional dances. It was a good peek at the standard of the school, and the general running of the schools.


Helen, Jane and me

Prize Giving: Most of the awards were given by teachers and the manager but there were a couple of categories which were to be given by parents to appreciate their support and effort towards their child and to the school. And the Emcee called for “Shubhu” to give the awards for Best Teacher in each class. After 10 seconds, Julie and Lucy started tapping me to go. It was then that I realized that they had called me forward. Julie and I burst out laughing at “Shubhu” with every eye in the hall at us. I found it amazingly difficult to stop the fit of laughter which I was getting. And we pretty much laughed the whole day at the name..

Motorbike ride: Jane didn’t have a lot of daily use stuff so Julie, she and I went to the market to buy her stuff. Our mode of transport was a motor bike and this was the first time I quadrupled ever in my life. I was the last one on the bike and was sitting on the steel handle at the end of the bike. Every bump on the road was accompanied by a distinct squeal from me. And the entire village was running after us or making noises or jeering at the two Msungus. But all in all, it was the most memorable journey..

Goodbye: I had to tell Jane that I won’t be visiting her for a long long time now but I will call her and write to her regularly. The last image I have of her is wiping tears by the sleeves of her sweater, trying to wave bye to me and being held by her matron so that she doesn’t run after my vehicle. It took all my will-power to not go back to her – that would have made it even more difficult for her and me.

I probably didn’t do much justice to this post. Some things can just never be explained in words.

Leia Mais…

My journey to Jane!!

The decision: A week into the internship I had decided that I was going to sponsor a child. I asked for profiles of kids with only one condition – should be a girl in primary school. A girl because they are more vulnerable and primary school because younger kids have an ability to overcome trauma of the past more effectively than the older ones when they are given better conditions. The original decision was to co-sponsor the child with a friend. I was presented with 5 names and somehow, Jane clicked with me at once. I asked some basic questions about her and the decision to be her co-sponsor was made. Then on Tuesday, I went to visit her house in the slum. The condition was miserable and I said to myself, “Never again is my child coming here, not even for vacations”.

Unfortunately, the same day I was left with the choice to either sponsor the child on my own or find another co-sponsor. The latter would delay the process and I didn’t want that. Finally, I decided to sponsor the child on my own. Being jobless at the moment, I cancelled all my travelling, rugby and shopping plans in Kenya which left me with money just enough to sponsor her if I spend with a tight hand. I would have enjoyed the travelling for 2-3 days but the money can now be put into better use to sponsor a child’s education and annual expenses – my child’s education. That very same day, I met the AIESECers organizing the travel and rugby event to cancel them. Somehow, cancelling these plans seemed so right. I could wait to send the money when I am in Singapore, but I am human enough to get worried about not having a source of income and might just back out.

Jane: Jane is 8 years old and one of 4 siblings. Her older brother Kennedy is in secondary school and stays at the slums with his grandmother and a lot of other children in a cloth house of 1 room. She has younger twin sisters. Their mother abandoned them when she discovered that she is HIV positive. Fortunately, Jane is negative (and it wouldn’t have mattered to me even if she was). Jane was molested by one of the guys staying in their house and had started sleeping in the garbage dump so that she is safe. It was urgent to send her to a primary boarding school which was far from her slums and that was done the day I showed interest in sponsoring her.

The journey: I decided to take a look at the school and meet her once before I sponsor her. So, I started my journey 6 am yesterday with Lucy Mwihaki (One of the women working at Living Positive whose 2 daughters study in the same school). After 5 hours of bus, matatu and motor bike travel, I finally reached the Maragua Summit School. Maragua is a small village and it was a big pain to be there being a Msungu. None of my vehicles were allowed to move for a long time because people were trying to touch or talk to me or just stare at me (Something which I can imagine happening to foreigners in a village in India). But I liked the location of the school – in the country side and one can see Mt. Kenya from the place. It was beautiful beyond words

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The meet-up: I met the Principal to tell her that I will be sponsoring Jane’s education. Jane was called along with other children from the slums in Ngong. The moment the Principal told Jane that I am her mummy (to make her understand that I will be her guardian), Jane went crazy. She wouldn’t leave my leg, or let go of my hand or get off my lap. She took me to her class, introduced me to her friends and posed with me in millions of pictures. As the exams were going on, I was allowed to be with her for only 10-15 mins. But those were some of the most precious minutes of my life. I left the school with a happiness which knew no bound and (I will be a bit vain) I was proud of myself. I have found a beautiful connection to this country – It is the country of my daughter.

Leia Mais…

See you soon!!

Today Flora is leaving for Sweden.. She had been a friend, a confidante, a partner-in-crime and an excellent care-taker.. The times when I had felt home-sick, she had been there for me to just sit and talk and laugh and take out all the frustration.. She made my stay here bearable for the first few days and fun for the rest.. All the times we had sneaked from work to go to Karen town on lame excuses and enjoying ourselves in a slightly developed society made me look forward to work everyday..

Somehow, the friendships which I have formed at the times of need have been the strongest.. May be because they have already passed the test of the age-old saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed".. And the other group of close friends I have are the ones with whom I have traveled around.. Flora is a combination of both and therefore, even more special..

We already have made plans of coming back to East Africa on a vacation and traveling around in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.. Thats why when she was leaving, I didn't say Good Bye.. I said, "See you soon"

Leia Mais…

Acceptance!!

"mostly I wish you to learn the lesson of Acceptance.. as only through Acceptance you will find the secret of existence and you will be happy in a crowd or sitting alone, and you will use all that happens in your life, your joys and your sorrows, to become a better person, so that even death at the end will be good, because it is part of the game"

- Kuki Gallmann

It is funny that the day I accepted the solitude in which I had found refuge and serenity turned out to be the turning point of my stay in Kenya. May be that is how our mind works - the moment we accept what life throws at us, we gain the power of choosing our attitude towards it. When there was nothing much to do in my world, becoming a part of the world of the people here was the most logical solution, something which I should have done from the very first day in Kenya.. But it is never too late.

I was told by most foreigners here that one week is what it takes to like the country and it took me 1 week to fall in love with Kenya. I am sure to return here sometime with friends and family for a vacation.. And to meet all the people who have now become a part of my world and who have so graciously accepted me into theirs.

Leia Mais…

The serenity of solitude!!

It is inevitable that you will find yourself alone at some point in life. It is therefore, very important to love to be in your own company because once you learn to do that, you might be alone but you will never be lonely - a thought which crossed my mind while reading yesterday.

It is very rarely that life is kind (read as cruel) enough to give you the space, time and loneliness needed to understand what you want from it, to get things into perspective, to be able to step back from the speed and intensity in which you had indulged yourself and to get to know yourself better. Enjoy the serenity which this experience brings - you might never get this opportunity for a very long time (this is first time that you have got it)

I have started enjoying my own company finally, something which used to make me very uncomfortable before. Solitude is known to be the most effective way to let someone lose his/her mind but if one can enjoy the quiet company of one's own self, is one really lonely? I am slowly mastering the art of going for days without having a conversation which lasts for more than the use of minimal words.

Known as the "Quiet Wasungu" here, I enjoy listening to other people without speaking a word - a part of me which I had not discovered before - A part which is only for Africa and I think which I will happily leave behind in Africa. Till then, for a month of serenity - Cheers!

Leia Mais…

Life's Lessons from Kenya!!

#1. Small things often make big things bearable.
Whether it is the stupid rooster with no sense of timing who starts waking you up at 2 am, the warm greetings from the Aunty at the Cyber cafe, the fire lit every evening or the pregnant cat who takes refuge at the house - small things can give you pleasure in an inexplicable way.

#2. There is nothing you cannot do.
Till last week I thought that I was incapable of sitting quietly. I needed to talk and talk and talk. In the past week, I have hardly spoken - just speaking the minimal required words to survive and I am managing quite well :) And for those who thought I can never sit calm and quiet - come and see me here.

#3. It is more important to be friends with the house keepers than the house owner for a comfortable stay.
Because they stay in the house all the time and know everything you need to know. Specially after the Canadians left today, I discovered that I am surviving well because I made friends with Grace and Elizabeth.

#4. Doing nothing is more painful than working from dawn to midnight.
One week of a laid back life and I am finding it almost impossible to contain my energy. The workaholic that I am known to be is dying to find some work. The fact that we have to be inside by 5 pm as it is dangerous after that and there is no internet at home is making it difficult to be productive.

#5. Books are true friends in a strange land.
After suffering a bit through #4, I have taken up on reading African Literature. Currently reading I dreamed of Africa y Kuki Gallmann gifted to me by Siddharth Bhaiya, I welcome all suggestions for rich African Literature.

#6. Home Sickness is a great way for self discovery.
Something which Wan Xin said to me really touched me and I found it so true - "Be in deep experience with your homesickness Shub. It itself is a wonderful self-discovery. =) And Shub, you are strong enough to take this experience, and at times you feel you don't, let yourself break. We are here to catch you! Love, Wan Xin "
But remember that #5 doesn't help in home sickness. You might end up reading the same line for over 5 hrs and still not understand it. Then resort to #7.

#7. Find a child to laugh with.
Whether it is a 2 months old or someone who has just entered his/her teen, children have a beautiful gift of taking you into their world, totally immerse you in their life till you forget about your own. Make stupid faces with a baby, talk about issues with a 10 year old or watch a dumb teenage movie with them, you will soon find a sense of happiness which adults unfortunately can't give.

#8. Be open to break your own rules.
Do you remember me saying that I don't even drink tea, coffee and soft drinks.,I am a healthy girl and drink Milk and juices only? Well, I stayed stubborn on that for 2 days till the damp and cold weather slapped me hard. Now I drink hot tea (called Chai here) atleast 2 times a day. I still don't enjoy it and will go back to my old self when I leave Kenya.

#9. No matter how hard you try, you will always be different from them - Just accept it.
I am known as the "Wasungu" here - "the different one usually used to refer a white person". When I walk on the streets, children point at me and shout Wasungu. Everybody shouts "How are you" at me without even understanding its meaning. Weeping children stop crying if I smile at them. Matatu drivers want me in their Matatus so that they can attract more passengers. At first I used to find it very annoying but now I have realized that it is better to accept it. After all, being the different one does give a power of its own.

#10. Be in touch with your Mum.
Mothers have a gift to making you feel comfortable with all the discomforts even when she is miles away. I look forward to her next call as soon as she hangs up. Her voice is a constant source of strength in everything I am undertaking.

Leia Mais…

This time for Africa!!

I am totally in love with the official song for World Cup 2010. I think it applies to Africa and life in general.. It is also going to be my theme song for my stay in Kenya ;)

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Enjoy!

Leia Mais…