Contrarily? I have extraordinary patience when driving now. For years I have gritted my teeth when being cut off in traffic - worse, particularly if I am not at the wheel. Why did you let him in, Tony? Speed up! Haraka sana! Hurry up! Ngai fafa!! Don't let the matatu cut you off! What are you doing? The insides of my mouth were nearly chewed up. I'd go into long winded stories about consequences of driving like this in Boston. Tony loves road rage stories. Now? Backseat driver extraordinaire, I wave people in. I don't even scream KARIBU at them (you're WELCOME) when they don't bother to thank Tony. I just mumble under my breath.
Eunice and Ann
I have cracked the whip at WWC these days, when it comes to reminding the children not to leave their (sparse) belongings all over the compound. Shoes here; school papers, crayons, empty bubble containers etc. over there. Yes, it can be very challenging to police and consequently teach the kids about respecting their personal belongings, but it is very important to do so. Hence, I have a new rule: if I find any of your belongings on the ground without you present? I will pick them up and they will become mine. Just today, Tony and the staff and I were watching two of the little girls playing quietly, coloring and drawing. They both got up and took off at one point, because something better was happening inside. We all chatted and drank our tea, and I could tell they were all waiting for me to act. I gave it 15 minutes and stuffed everything in my backpack, much to everyone's delight. We were all laughing, so I opened my bag and showed them what was in the bottom of it: junk I have collected. But I guarantee you it will be missed, and I am holding it hostage until the rightful owners come to me :-) Probably tomorrow.
When Tony and I were driving home tonight, I started chatting about my observations of our children. Increasingly, I find it a privilege to be a part of these children's lives. To watch them interact with one another, the matrons, Bernard and Vestas is one thing; to witness their happiness and joy due to the loving and nurturing environment we are giving them is truly a wonder to behold. I love sitting back and observing their personal progress, struggles and advances. It is the struggles, however, that we are focusing on. When meeting with our entire team, I am delighted that we are all on the same page when it comes to handling their problems and differences. As I often write in this blog, it even makes me smile to see the children argue. This is an unusual activity in most rescue centers due to discomfort and fear. At WWC, their behaviors and gratitude speak to the children's level of comfort. WWC is home. The children act, play and fight like siblings. It's a good thing, and tells me we are doing everything right.
It's not often that I have time to actually sit down for an entire day and spend private moments with each child. This time around, it is what I am doing. I am very fortunate that the children feel safe enough to tell me what is happening in school or even in their families of origin. On the flip side, I have been able to give them much love and encouragement, and importantly, have voiced my expectations of them. We have all had many conversations this week regarding personal responsibility and respect of property. If anyone cuts their shoes, for example (to make them more comfortable) I have directed the matrons not to use a spare pair in storage. The younger ones see someone else wearing a new pair of shoes, or getting a replacement pair of trousers, and they are likely to cut their own so that they, too, can receive something new. In my experience, this is a Kenyan maneuver, particularly amongst rescues.
I spent most of the day supervising (off and on) my new home!
As you can see, the windows are in!
This is the view from the container, as it sits above. There will be a deck placed on this side, just enough for a couple of chairs. I will be overlooking the compound, below:
My view, of the Ngong Hills:
The backside:
Before the workmen left tonight, I had to laugh. They placed all their equipment inside and then sealed the place shut by welding it and placing live electrical current at the back and side doors. I was trying not to laugh because three of the older children were standing there with me, but even they knew what was going on. If anyone tries to tamper with anything on the container tonight, they will be in for the shock of their lives.
Grace and Tiffy
It's been a wonderful few days here in Kenya, as always. The chicken project will be started (not today, as promised) tomorrow or once the roof has been installed on my home. I'm really excited to get the chickens going: we have 200 chicks on hold and should be able to turn this into an income stream for WWC, in very short order.
Much, much love from East Africa tonight. Hopefully, internet continues to cooperate for the rest of my stay.
Everything is going beautifully here. I am so very optimistic about the future. The progress we have made over the past nine months has been extraordinary.
Asante sana kwa wote,
Simmie and Sheila
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