Back to the Watoto: Little House in the Bush

Tony and I continued our conversation about the children, when he picked me up early this morning. The children all looked at me last night, and said, shaking their heads in the affirmative: "You will come at 10:00, sawa??" How could I not? Forget chores - I can get these done tomorrow morning. We have had such a wonderful week bonding that I didn't want to miss a beat.

Tony was more pensive today. He started the conversation by saying he was going to drop me off at WWC and then go pick up Kinyanjui from school. Kinyanjui is a wonderful boy - bright, motivated, adorable and all around good. He is number one in his class, and has maintained this position off an on for 3 years. I was with Tony on Kinyanjui's first day of school, and have been cheering him on from the sidelines, ever since. "Today, Kinyanjui comes home from school. It's been 10 years since his mother has seen him." (Kinyanjui, Grace and Carolyn are Tony's children from his first marriage. His wife tried to have him killed when the children were very young, and were it not for his young daughter, the wife would have been successful). "You've raised wonderful children, Tony. And you did it all alone until you met Jecinta. I'm so glad you have Jecinta by your side now. She's a wonderful woman." "Jecinta is a woman and a half" he said. "She met me, we had two children together and she takes care of my children from my first wife and my granddaughter, as if they are all her own." I know this to be true. I know Jecinta and have seen her in action. "You know, Simmie...I met an old woman next to an abandoned building in Kiserian recently. This old woman told me about a cat next door who was living in this building and she began to cry. 'Why are you crying, I asked her.' She said she was crying, because she heard the cat crying and went inside to see why. She found 5 kittens, crying from hunger. Just as she turned to leave, the mother returned with a rat in her mouth. You see, an animal does not abandon her children. But a human being does. Here in Kenya, we have so many orphans and so many parents who walk away from those they give birth to. Only a human being does this. Animals do not."

I listened to Tony and openly cried. We continued to talk about the children of WWC and the personal benefits we have received from doing this work. "I could never do enough for these children, Tony. And what I learn from them is so much greater than anything I could teach them. They are a gift." Tony simply shook his head yes. I felt so sad for him, today. He is so proud of Kinyanjui, yet so deeply saddened that the person his son is growing into is not recognized by his own mother.

By the time we got to WWC, we were smiling and laughing again. I could see the fundi working on nyumba yangu (my house) and practically clapped my hands with joy. (Actually, I did clap). Tony smiled and pulled by the fence so we could have a look before going into the compound. The fundi already had the roof going. I hung around a bit while Tony took off, to discuss my deck. Well, apparently my vision of a nice wooden porch to fill the front of the container is not realistic. Cement is recommended, due to du du's. (Bugs, rodents etc.) I didn't need more discussion. Sawa sawa. Cement over du du's.

The children were anxious to show me their bead work from yesterday evening. I did have time to add to our stash on the way to WWC, so I handed the bag to Eunice, who took off with a huge grin on her face. The kids are doing some pretty complex bead work right now...it's very impressive.

After I took this pic and looked at it, it alarmed me. The children have grown so much, and appear so much more mature. I know, it's only natural...but sometimes I wish their growth spurts would slow down!

I am staying at a great little place, just outside of Kiserian. Included in my stay are 3 full meals a day. Because I am not here for lunch, the cook packs me a great lunch each day. He has also introduced me to a wonderful hot drink I have dubbed "magic tea". Armed with the ingredients this morning, I took them to WWC so that I could make this medicine for the children: water, turmeric, pepper, ginger and lemon juice and rind. Boil it all down to half the original size and add honey for sweetness and thickness. It's a bit of heaven..very healthy and it puts me out a night immediately. Penina, Grace and I stood in the kitchen talking while the tea boiled. Once done, we gave everyone a cup. Most of the children loved it, some did not, predictably

I stayed out of it when I heard Grace tell these two they had to finish their tea. 15 minutes later, when I returned from the office, these two were sulking by the water tank, complaining that they were full. I had to turn around and leave so I didn't laugh. Watching them gulp this concoction down was too much. Grace put on a serious face as they finished, looked at me and burst out laughing. Kids will be kids. If anyone wants the recipe, by the way, let me know. Magic tea!!

We all spent another wonderful day together. The chicken project is awaiting construction - all the materials are on the premises. I won't give anyone a hard time, because the fundi is prioritizing nyumba yangu!!!