Kenya Bound

Flying east towards my beloved piece of Africa, it feels like an eternity since I left, just 2 months ago.  Watoto World Center was in 'move in condition' but not entirely complete.  Clearly, we could have moved the children in under the current conditions, but it was not meant to be.  The battles of the last trip postponed progress; when it became apparent that moving the children was not going to happen,  we did the best thing, and removed ourselves from the bureaucratic madness and always present corruption of local, regional and county officials.  I left the fate of Watoto World Center's registration in the hands of my lawyer, Lucas.  It was and is better to let the system play out without the influence and bothersome meddling of the mzungu (me) clouding any decision making  behind the scenes.  Lucas had a grip on the situation and with great confidence, assured us  "you will get your children".  Lucas, I am counting on you.  He will be the first person I call tomorrow morning.

Tony has seen to it that every detail and stage of the construction of the home has been achieved.  The kitchen has now been expanded into a "hall" whereby the children have a place to gather for eating, playing, doing homework and watching tv.  The beds are in place.  The painting, despite my objections over color choices, has been done.  When Tony sent me a picture of the home with the trim painted pepto bismal pink,  I balked .  Tony!  Seriously! What are you thinking?  Thafadali..please....paint it white.  Asante sana.  Two days later, I received a picture of the newly painted white trim, and the pepto bismal became a forgotten nightmare.

Cary talked with our boys on Sunday, and everyone is doing well.  The kids are not in school right now, due to a teacher's strike.  These strikes are fairly common and quite honestly,  I'm happy when they coincide with my visits.  It's one more full day I get to spend with the children.  I'll find out quickly what this strike is all about, but suspect it has something to do with teachers being grossly under paid.  Additionally, none of the horrors we expected to happen upon our departure, actually happened.  Agnes continued to keep her distance.  Ruth, the militant DO went back to her position in Kajiado; all her threats to remove and separate the children evaporated.  She was covering for Vivian, out on maternity leave. Vivian is now back, which makes me take pause, particularly after I wrote up the requested report on her, for failing to act in the best interests of the children, and for choosing to collaborate with Agnes instead.  Ultimately,  I got thrown under the bus for doing just this,  because Vivian is now back at her desk.  Better the devil you know vs the devil you don't.  

I am cautiously optimistic this time.  There is no guarantee of course, but the ultimate purpose of this trip is clear: move the children to their new home.  Countless obstacles can and will crop up;  Agnes is a giant question mark, and it remains to be seen what she is up to.  As always, I am prepared for the worst, but am very hopeful for success.  My short three weeks here are a drop in the bucket against the glacial pace that time moves in Africa.  

As always, thank you for your support and for being with me through this ever evolving journey.  I am refreshed, optimistic and fully prepared to move full steam ahead.  It's past time to begin focusing on the mission: move the children to their new home so that they can begin to live their lives with the promise of the bright future they deserve.  They are ready, and so am I.  

Tafadhali kuomba kwa ajili yetu.

Kuona wewe kesho,

Simmie