I think everyone everywhere in the world could learn a lesson from the people of Njabini. I am constantly amazed at how compassionate everyone is towards one another. On multiple occasions I have seen neighbors, friends, and strangers supporting someone else. About a month ago one of Flying Kites School teachers had a sister who needed brain surgery. A very expensive procedure would not have happened if it weren’t for the generous donations from his friends, coworkers, family and strangers. Whether is was pocket change or something larger, the money was raised, the surgery took place, and after a couple weeks of recovery his sister is doing well. However, it doesn’t take something as serious as brain surgery for people here to watch out for one another. Our Land Rover got stuck in the mud the other day and within seconds, without asking, 3 men walking alongside the road started pushing it out. Whether the task is large or small, what makes the people here in Njabini special, is that they are willing to do what they can to help. If people all over started to integrate this type of openhandedness into their day-to-day life, the world will be a better place.
As an early Christmas gift our newest volunteer fund-raised money to take the kids on a field trip. We decided to take a bus to Lake Naivasha where the kids got a chance to go on boat rides. As if the kids aren’t cute enough, seeing them in orange life jackets was the most adorable thing I had ever seen. On the ride we saw Hippos, Pelicans, and Waterbucks. After a picnic in the park the kids went on camel rides, swam and got their faces painted. They had the time of their lives and so did I. It was a magical day.
December 1st was World AIDS Day. What was a sad day for me at home became and excruciating one here in Kenya. As a way to raise HIV/AIDS awareness, Njabini held a parade and a series of skits in town. Some of the skits with in English but most were spoken in Swahili. However, when I was entirely confused by what I was hearing all I had to do was look at the faces on the people in the audience. They were awestruck, shaken, and in pain when being forced to recognize the reality of the severity of the disease. A child from Njabini got up and spoke. Around the age of 14 this boy was remarkable. In front of hundreds of people, he stood up and spoke of how AIDS ripped him from a life with his mother and father. He spoke of how he began to loose hope after they passed. He spoke of how he was scared he would die of the same fate. He spoke of how he was furious and angry with life. But then he spoke of how he was HIV Negative, that he felt as though there was a reason for him to be Negative and that there was a reason he was on this Earth; to help those who were Positive. I was blown away by this young boy’s maturity, strength and spirit.
This event in town instantly made me think of the children in our home who are positive. I couldn’t imagine where they would be if we weren’t supplying them with the medical care that are receiving. I find it hard to think about. “Children burdened by this disease at birth, how is that fair?” was my immediate reaction. However, after thinking about how great they have it here at Flying Kites, I begin to think, “They are doing just fine.”
Yesterday was easily one of my most memorable days here in Kenya. We were invited to take part in a Yoga Flash Mob in the middle of the Mathare Slum that was organized by the Africa Yoga Project.
However, prior to hopping on a Matatu to take us to the location of the Flash Mob we joined in on a very professional and experienced leveled yoga class. The class took place in a graffiti-stained studio in Nairobi. The room was packed with about 70 of the most talented people I have ever seen. What was nerve racking in the beginning became one of the most comfortable and enjoyable experiences in my life. Everyone in the room was trained through AYP and now teaches yoga to children in the slums of Africa. This wasn’t like any yoga class I had taken before. Everyone was so passionate about their work and how to constantly improve. Throughout the class the woman next to me would periodically rotate my foot one way or arch my back in another to help me improve. Many of our poses involved resting a leg or hand on our neighbor’s back. The connection between everyone in the room was so strong. There was passion, love, and peace in every single position and after about an hour of one of the most intense workouts of my life, drenched in sweat, I had never felt so at peace.
After the class, we ventured out to the slums. Once we arrived, we started walking mindlessly for about ten minutes when our leader called us in closer where we broke out into Sun Salutations. After 15 minutes or so, we all held hands in a very large circle and all shouted one positive word. It was an extraordinarily peaceful event. The irony however, was that the Flash Mob took place on a barren glass and rock filled space that once was home to many families. These houses were burnt to the ground during the Election Violence in 2007. After we had finished and were heading back to the Matatu a grandmother came up to the coordinator and praised her for doing what we had just done. This woman had been a victim of the Election Violence and lost her home right where we had just been.
In an area where so many people struggle day after day I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am and how amazing I have it. I haven’t found myself asking for anything for Christmas because I simply can think of anything else I need. The kids did an art project where they wrote to Father Christmas and asked him for what they wanted for Christmas. It left me thinking about what I want. The only thing I could think of was “more for these children”. If any of you would like to make that wish come true, a small donation to help would change the lives of the children and people of the community.
I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday! Mine will be spent with the kids followed by a very much anticipated reuniting with my family in the Nairbobi Airport. I don’t think I would be able to think of a better way to spend Christmas if I tried. I love and miss you all so much! Hugs and Kisses – Auntie Stephanie
