Just Living…

Three weeks of Kenya already. This trip is everything I thought it would it would be: Amazing and difficult at once. I am getting into the groove of things. As of a few days ago, I finally know how to get to school on my own. Kibera is a maze. Been making new and awesome friends along the way. I’ve noticed that I don’t feel entirely happy or satisfied, unless I’ve spent a few hours there getting to know people. The regular house visits have been particularly gratifying. Been getting more attached to my little girl “Faith”, the HIV positive one year old. I spoke to her doctor, who said that Faith only has a 50% chance of survival. Now I’m trying to find Faith better all around care. Her doctor is waiting on an orphanage that specializes in HIV babies, and will get me some more organizations on Tuesday to approach. The last time I saw Faith, she seemed soooo tired and exhausted. She’s been having respiratory problems from the ARV meds. I just really hate the thought of a little baby, who can’t speak up, feeling so ill. Babies don’t ask to be born. Let alone be born into illness.

I thoroughly enjoy visiting the other people in the program as well. Some are just so warm and welcoming. One of my favorites is Peter.

He’s a really sweet man. 85 years old, which is quite the age here. He’s lived in Kibera for 36 years! He’s got nine grandchildren, and takes care of three of them as their parents are deceased. You can barely see his eyes through his insanely thick glasses, but he’s always smiling. A real character. And he loves to have his portrait taken. Can’t wait to get back to my computer station at home to process all the pictures.

In the meantime, here’s another one of my favorites. Mr. Monkey and me. That’s from last week, but I really miss the animals, when I’m working. Nature in Kenya… breathtaking to say the least.

Thus, I’ve decided to treat myself on a safari for my birthday in two weeks. Can’t wait. And after that, I’ll most likely leave the urban area of Nairobi and stay in a rural village further west, where there is no electricity or running water. One of my new friends is actually constructing a girls boarding school there, and I hopefully will be able to help her out setting up a new curriculum. My wheels are turning already.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I miss home a bit. But I’m counting my blessings. Every day.