Emmanuel and Ann

We found Simon and Moses yesterday.  This morning, Tony and I headed for the Ngong Hills to collect Emmanuel and Ann, and bring them back to Nagolie.  Emmanuel has been texting and calling me since I got here.  "Please, Mum, you must convince my Sho-Sho (grandmother) to agree to let us go with you. Agnes called my Sho-Sho last night when she heard you brought Simon and Moses back.  She told her that if Simmie comes to collect us, that she is to refuse you".  I told Emmanuel not to worry about a thing, that we would be there before 11:00am.  I have met Emmanuel and Anne's grandmother on multiple occasions.  She is a lovely woman, about 83 years old, and clearly adores her grandchildren.  She does not speak a word of English, and I understand Kikuyu only sparingly.  We are two women who like one another, and  communicate without language.  Today was no exception.

As Tony and I drove out of Whistling Thorns in yet another 'new car', I said to him:  "Tony, what is that smell?"  "What? What smell?" he said.  I replied "The one that smells like the car is about to blow up?".  Sure enough, we pulled over and after a few seconds, he announced that the car needed a new fan.  GAI.  Now what!  We need to get to Ngong.  It turns out the car is not really his.  He has 'hired' it while I am here, because he sold his own car last month for a shamba, or piece of land.  Tony made a few phone calls and said we'd get another car when we got to Kiserian.  Sometimes I just shake my head at Kenyans.  Breakdowns, break ins, and broken bridges just don't phase them.  Sure enough, we coasted 1/2 the way to Kiserian, and climbed into the car he had arranged to be there for us.  I love this kind of resourcefulness, and told Tony so.  We spent the rest of the ride talking about his escapades with cars.  I shuddered even contemplating most of them!

We arrived at the spot Tony had arranged with Emmanuel, who was waiting for us on the corner of the road, high up in the Ngong Hills.  I saw Emmanuel and jumped out of the car, hugging him with excitement and then telling him it was all going to be okay.  Emmanuel was crying.

Emmanuel is a funny kid - he's 17 and the self proclaimed 'boss' of the home.  He's very hyper, in a way that just makes me laugh.  He just tells it like it is, and when excited?  It's pure entertainment.

We arrived at their home, warmly welcomed by the children, their Grandmother and Uncle, who lives next door.  

After the usual pleasantries, the children's grandmother began to speak to me, with her son intermittently translating for us both.  She was frustrated with what had been happening at the home, and confused:  Agnes speaks rudely to me, and I wonder if there will be justice for these children.  She doesn't care about them, and I am concerned that she will continue to hurt my grandchildren, and the others, when you are not here.  What measures will you take to ensure that the actions of the past month will not happen again?  How will Anne be enrolled back at Ereteti?  Will you see to it that she has no problem?  What about Emmanuel?  He needs to have an education.  His test scores come out next week?

I explained to this lovely lady what I would be doing during the next few weeks.  I did my best to answer her questions and assure her that I would take care of each and every concern she had.  I spoke of Agnes, how she had broken the law repeatedly, and that we would have this situation resolved (hopefully) by Wednesday.  Anne had already been enrolled in another school.  Would I help with relocation papers?  Of course, I said.  

This grandmother then went on to explain how the children came to Nagolie after her two daughters passed, and her husband left her for another woman.  She was left destitute, with 5 grandchildren to care for, and could no longer continue the struggle to provide for her family.  It was a sad story, one I have heard many times before.  This one, however, ended with her asking me to give her money.  GAI.

Pushing this request aside, we continued on to other topics.  I asked her to show me pictures of her family, specifically the children's mother. 10 minutes later, there were piles of pictures spread across the table, each with a wonderful story attached.  It was a lovely way to get a first hand glimpse of Emmanuel and Ann's background.  The history of this family as well as that of Simon and Moses, is really the silver lining of this ordeal.  I love knowing more about the children and where they come from.  Once again, it was a privilege to be in this particular family's home.  The grandmother agreed to send Emmanuel and Ann with me, and I promised to come visit her in April.  We will keep in touch through her son.  "You have our support."

Checking the maize crop on their property

 ...with a tour of the Uncle's house

Uncle, Emmanuel, Cousin Sylivia, Anne, Sho-Sho and cousin

Once again, the children were overjoyed to be back together. 

"Our family is almost complete" said Emmanuel.  Yes, I agreed.  We should be in place by Tuesday.  

Papa

Lameck

Kanai

Alex

Patrick and Alex

Sweet Mturi

Simon and Kanai

Jer, testing the waters

SUCCESS!!

Our boys

Tony and I are headed south tomorrow morning to pick up Lucy and Richard.  Lucy is desperate to return to the home.  She is in Standard 8 and wants to finish school at Ereteti, where she has been since 'baby class'.  She misses the children.  I am anxious to see her, the home is definitely not the same without her smiling face.

Tuonane kesho ~

With love, 

Simmie and Alex