Yesterday, Everline and I were invited by the Chief to speak at a ceremony at a children's school about 7km behind WWC. This school is in bush country...so far out, the enrollment of 760 students shocked me. (Fred, Everline's brother, has been here since Wednesday, so he was able to drive us). The school is participating in a nationwide effort to fight poverty by providing mental and hygiene awareness and education to both girls and boys. In our county alone, 10% of school aged girls miss school once a month, due to a lack of sanitary pads and "period shaming." There is a huge stigma and lack of understanding around menstruation and the culture of silence that surrounds it. Further, the the lack of water for sanitation in schools makes it very difficult for teachers to properly support girls. Nationwide, over 1 million girls miss school each month because they cannot afford sanitary pads. We were asked to speak about the importance of staying in school, briefly, before presenting T-Shirts to the best performing and most improved students.
Chief Issac, addressing the community
It was a quick event, no more than an hour. After the mandatory tea and bread, we made our donation of two cases of sanitary pads for the girls, and quickly left to make visits with three of our guardians, the three I have known for over seven years, and have special relationships with. I had given Everline funds to pick up supplies for each of them the day before, to avoid the markets, and save time. Everline picked up the basic essentials: maize flour, porridge, chapati flour, fat, rice, beans, soap and toilet paper, for each family.
It was and is important for me to visit these and all families, to touch base and let them know that despite the pandemic, I am back. What I received from each of these guardians, was humbling, magnificent and worth the trip alone. As mentioned earlier, WWC has been supporting these families (and all) since July.
Philip, recently widowed, is the guardian of Erick, one of the original children we rescued in 2013 upon opening WWC. We are very fond of each other, he is a delightful, sweet and humble man. Overwhelmed to see us, Philip ushered us in to express his gratitude to me for traveling half way around the world during a pandemic, to be with the children. I cried at his gracious words, and so did he. Everline has formed a beautiful and genuine relationship with Philip. To put it simply, it was a very emotional meeting, one with shared respect and mutual admiration. Philip asked us if we could take Erick's younger sister at WWC, something I have been fighting to do for 5 years. Everline shares my sentiments on this move, and I know she will pursue it.
Mama Grace is another gracious woman, left with 5 grandchildren after the death of her daughters. We have two of her grandchildren, who have been with us since 2014. Mama Grace looked at me, covered her eyes and burst into tears. I did the same.
I showed her the most recent pics of Mundia and Grace, looking sharp and proud, with their new school uniforms on. Mama Grace looked up at me with tears in her eyes and expressed such heartfelt sentiment and gratitude, that I choked. She then asked for a pic of the two of us, so I took this selfie. Just as I was going to snap the pic, she cracked a joke about not having any teeth.
Here, Everline was describing to the family how they could better utilize their shamba land, despite the lack of rain. In this case, the family can work towards self sustainability by utilizing more modern and simple farming techniques. WWC will work with this family towards this effort.
Below, Everline, Jonathan and I are with Granny Karanja, Peter's grandmother. I have always loved this sassy woman. She doesn't take no for an answer, and adores all her grandchildren. She has lost her husband and all her children. When I showed her a pic of Peter, in Class 7, she took my phone and held it to her heart. We laughed and cried with Granny. She adores Everline; it is a special sight to see, and I felt privileged to be in her company. All of us left feeling on top of the world, after connecting so closely with the very people who have entrusted us with the safety and well being of their children.
Here comes the real tragedy: Tony and Grace threatened, intimidated and harassed each of these guardians (and the remainder) when it came time to returning their children back to WWC after Christmas. More on this as we move further into this situation in another blog, because I don't want to get ahead of myself. However, it goes without saying that this was one of the primary reasons for my visits to the guardians. All were very vocal and disgusted with Tony's behavior; each have expressed they do not want to hear from Tony or Grace again. I have no doubt the two women will be on top of the Children's Department, if they do.
Today, we celebrated at WWC with all our staff and their children. Wilson donated a goat for dinner, and showed up early with two tribal elders, to prepare the goat on the premises. I knew they would be here around 8:00, and kept to myself, because I don't need or want to see the slaughter. It didn't work. Jonathan came to Nyumba Yangu to tell me that Wilson, Emmanuel and John were waiting for me. I stayed and chatted for a moment, told them I didn't desire to watch this process and headed to the safety of the office with Everline.
Kanini and Mueni were very hesitant about his process. Kids are kids, however. They'll watch between their fingers, so that they don't have to miss out.
This is how lunch was served: potatoes, nyama choma (roasted goat), soup of intestines and ugali, an East African staple made from maize flour.
After all these years, I was not aware that a child's birthday celebration includes being doused with water, which signifies washing away the old and bringing in the new. Poor Tiff really got nailed, but she seemed to really enjoy it!
The look in Njeri's eyes can tell you who started pouring water first :)
Thank you Mama Wambui!
Tiff and Faith
All the children invited Teacher Francis from their new school, to the celebration. This just spoke volumes to me. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Clearly, they have all bonded. I got great updates from Francis, who possesses clear insight into the children's abilities and is passionate about his work. During the children's next holiday, he is offering to do additional work with those who need to catch up. As in the US, the school system here is covid-confused. Our children will be getting their next holiday at the beginning of March, and for only 2 weeks, instead of 5. The objective is to normalize by the end of 2021, so we shall see.
We have hired an experienced social worker, who is not affiliated with the DCS. She and Everline will attend the first CCI meeting Everline has been invited to since October 2019, tomorrow morning. For her part, Everline, accompanied by the Chief and our security, visited DCO Karera right before I got here. With the Chief and Jonathan in attendance, Karera could not pull as fast one. He does, after all, sit on the Area Advisory Committee as the Secretary, along with Chief, various stakeholders and the Chairman of the Board. In this room, Karera knew his limitations. Everline grilled Karera on his collusion with Tony, which Karera acknowledged: "Yes, we are friends". She pointed out much of Tony's conduct of the past 4 months, as did Chief and especially Jonathan, which Karera claimed not to be aware of, but took notes. Everline demanded proper documentation from the DCS regarding the removal of children from WWC, their return, and their subsequent removal again at Christmas. This information is required by law, and he had (deliberately) failed to follow through. However, the meeting went very well, I am told. Otherwise, Everline would have been left off the invitation list.
I have told Everline that the DCS, CCI and The Department of Social Services are her departments, and I will not be involved in any capacity. All I require are the monthly reports.
As soon as all our guests left, we capped off the day by giving the children all their Christmas gifts. It was the best!
Lots of love from East Africa tonight.
Love from,
Simmie
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