Adapting

"We adapt our voice and phrase to the distance and character of the ear we speak to"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Signed conversation with my students:

Student: So you flew in a plane from America?
Me: yes
Multiple Students: Were you scared?
Me: No, it’s safe.
Student: But the hippos!
Me: Sign again, did you just sign hippo?
Multiple Students: Yes, yes, hippo!
Me: Why would I be scared of a hippo on a plane?
Student : Because when your sitting on the plane, you look out the window and you fall out and a hippo eats you.
Me: Maybe I should be scared of flying!

This conversation is ten times better in sign form, because Deaf students use so much imagination, and facial expressions, their stories are just better signed!

I was once told that as a volunteer I would experience the highest highs, and the lowest lows. I couldn’t really understand what this meant until now. Some days I feel so engulfed with happiness, I think I even sleep with a smile, other days the challenges here can be overwhelming. There is the constant loneliness, the need for acceptance, and the extreme amount of patience with people. My school is quite isolated, so I do not have a “village” to integrate into. All the teacher speak English but prefer to use “mother tongue”, which is not a written language, leaving me in silence most of the time.

It is not the easiest when people are constantly seeing you as an outsider; although this concept is not a foreign one to me it was never as outwardly spoken. Even my town visits are not without screams of “mzungu” “sister, marry me” “give me money” “buy me sweets” and my favorite “ hey white”. I can feel this constant gnaw of irritation, and when I feel it begin to bubble up, I just can’t help but laugh. I’m sorry, “hey white” that is funny to me, and ultimately I know (most) of these people do not know they are annoying me, in fact they are just amused by my presence. Who knows if my I was born in Embu, Kenya and rarely saw a person with a different skin color, I too may want to yell and try to get their attention--then again maybe not, but I can see where they come from.

I think what I am realizing about my experience is not what I experience here, but rather how I choose to experience it. I could turn inward, and think every Kenyan who talks to me wants something, or I can go out there every time having hope that people are mostly good. I have to say for every time I’ve had someone ask for money, I’ve had someone show me great kindness. I try to hold onto those moments in my head when I feel so much like an outsider that I would like to run and hide! Ultimately I have to choose the person I want to be, and I want to be a person who thinks the best of people and who can laugh (instead of hiding).

This week a girl came to school, she is around 9 –years-old, she recently contracted meningitis and became Deaf. She is far from her family and friends, adapting to a whole new and scary world. She must adjust and find her “new normal”. I know eventually she will make great friends here, they will become like family, and she will be happy. I think somewhere deep inside she knows it too. At sports time, she sat alone against a tree--I walked up slowly and tried to sign how are you, but stopped when I realized she wouldn’t understand me. She looked up at me her eyes deep pools of black, tears welled in her eyes, and for some reason mine did the same, I smiled—she reached up and held my hand. I know we will be ok.

Carry this for luck

During our life skills class, I made my ( now famous) mango salsa, I think it is an important life skill!

These two are my precious little sisters, doing there favorite Masai jump dance!

One of my class 7 students making our snare!

One of the teachers setting the bait( corn and flour) for our trap.



Closing the sides for our trap!

My home, it extends to the white line, next door is another teachers house. The big tank is for collecting rain so I can have water!

The pigs that live outside my house and the boys dorm in the background!

These are my little sisters running toward me as I return from school!

My first full week of teaching has finished, and I cannot stop smiling, I truly love my job! Nairobi is wonderful, and packages from home are even better. I have started planning a project that I am very excited about, I don't want to speak to soon in case it doesn't work out, but I am obscenely excited.

Everything is Everything

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
Helen Keller

The strike has been called off, and classes resumed this week. It has come as a huge relief to myself and all the children—being cooped up with plenty of ideas can sometimes be frustrating, so this week I am putting them into practice. I’ve been trying to use locally available resources to teach such as balloons to represent a globe, drawing maps, and creating journals. Some of these have worked other have not.

I am teaching a stand alone class on HIV/AIDS to class 8(one of my favorite things to teach), the ideas I had was to have a journal where students could express their thoughts, and feelings regarding the topic. I told them they could write questions they had, write poems, or draw—by the end of the class I received all drawings of myself --teaching. So I missed the mark on that one, but I still feel like I want to stick with the idea, because the within 2 years the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among Kenyan has rises nearly 2 percentage points. I strongly believe in open communication regarding the subject, and I know the future of HIV/AIDS in Africa really lies in the hands of the youth. A journal also provides an avenue to improve upon writing skill (which is desperately needed, some students struggle just to write a complete sentence in class 8) and the journal is for my eyes only reinforcing open communication.

My other idea was to use balloons as globes to explain the revolution of the earth around the sun! I drew the different continents on the balloon and had one student hold a yellow balloon and act as if they were the sun. I explained what an axis is and demonstrated a revolution. My students eagerly looked at the world as a balloon, but one signed "so in your home( America) it is night, now?" I wanted to hug her, it worked-- they filled out all my questions on the board correctly. I smile every time I think about it!

This week I was also informed that I was to help with the running activities, equivalent to track team. Imagine the irony: myself teaching Kenyans to run—I know! Truth be told, I am excited because I can put those three years on my high school the track team to use, and at least out dole out some challenging drills. For right now “track practice” consists of running in circles around a field, but maybe I can work in some hills or relay races, and then who knows maybe I have New York marathon runner on my hands?

I am trying to explore the idea of using video as a tool for learning. The students love anything visual and video just seems like an invaluable learning tool. I only wish I had the foresight to bring a projector or printer, but I guess I’ll have to make due with what I have. I have been learning from my fellow teachers as well. Today I had the opportunity to make my first snare or animal trap. One teacher intended to make one, to trap a bird to dissect for his science class. I decided to join because I teach the same class social studies; we walked around the school ground with machetes chopping small tree branches. We bent each stick and weaved other sticks through it, then we collected a leaf from a plant scratched it until I became a rope like fiber. We finished weaving tied the structure together and put the bait inside our trap—flour and corn. We will see tomorrow what we catch; I just hope it is not a snake! I promise to try to add pictures (maybe even videos) this weekend when I go to Nairobi; my connection is too slow and inconsistent to try to support that type of upload.

I’m really starting to feel at home here at Saint Luke’s, hard to believe that it has been almost one month since I’ve arrived! Although the strike threw a wrench into many things, but it feels good to interact with the students and staff again. My counterpart helped me choose a bicycle, and another helped me get it “serviced”, so I finally took to the road this evening. Many people know I am very scared of getting hit by a car which kept me from using a bike in college, but who has time to be afraid? The feeling of riding on the dirt paths and exploring new places; that has to be bigger then any fear. I live about 10 kilometers from town and I would like to start riding to town to avoid expensive and cramped matatus (mini buses used as transport here).

Everything feels as if it is falling into place. I have made quite a few Deaf friends in town ( who insist on giving me a mango every time I see them), I enjoy signing and getting to know them better. I want so badly to succeed in teaching these children, and helping my community. With every greeting, game and signed I love you, I am overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility to my students. I believe so much in the potential they possess. My only hope is that my imagination and ambition could create something useful and sustainable here.

The Quite Moments

" I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream"- Van Gogh

The teachers in Kenya are striking for better wages, we are on week two, therefore not much has been occurring. My role as a Peace Corps volunteer is to not teach or participate in any protest, so I clean. I know some people know my extreme aversion to anything having to do with cleaning, but for some reason now I find it very rewarding. Besides cleaning, I have been reading, writing, cooking, planning lessons, and just thinking in general. I find it so interesting how when removed from television, internet, and things in general, I am able to get my best thinking done. I can literally sit, writing, thinking, revising--for hours. My mind fumbling through ideas for the school, Africa, my life. I can remember being so busy, not being able to just enjoy my mind.

I really hope the strike does end soon. I teach at a boarding school, so all the students are still here, and they are desperate to learn. Last week I walked by the classroom and saw the older students teaching the younger ones, when I approached their faces lit up, and asked if I would teach, I had to say no and I could see the sadness in their eyes.

After hours of reading textbooks and teacher's manuals I think the biggest challenge is the lack of resources. Deaf children really need a lot of visual stimulation, and it seems the main avenue for this is a chalkboard, but writing on the board means you don’t face the students, and leaves my hands full and unable to sign. I want to try to use resources available locally (therefore sustainable) and able to be used by teachers in the future. Some ideas include paper machete for globes, play dough for mountain on maps, boxes for drawing, and more.

In addition to research, I have also been doing quite a bit of traveling. This weekend I visited two friends north of Embu and enjoyed seeing Kenya. This country it is beautiful, just off the road I could see hills that dive into the ground, waterfalls, and markets. There is something special about taking to the open road, alone. It is a unique way to see the world through your own filter - uninterrupted. I have also visited three different Deaf schools, which has given me some real perspective on improvements I can make here at Saint Luke’s.

I am settling in slowly, trying to cook inventive food and keep it from going bad. It is quite a challenge trying to cook without microwave, oven, or fridge—but it makes things interesting that’s for sure. I have made some great fresh food dishes and some things I would never eat again.

On another note for those interested my new address is:

Saint Lukes special school for the Deaf
P.O. Box 1297-60100 Embu, Kenya.

Just a note that I have to pay duty on all items I receive, (meaning bargain with the mail clerk for the things you send) so when filling out paper work say it is educational materials, even if it is not! Also, I have heard if you write some sort of religious message on the package itself they will charge less or not steal things from the box. Also, ask the post office about the flat rate box, it is much cheaper, and therefore do not give this information readily.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, this strike will end soon!

The Stars Fell

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. " Barack Obama

The mystery revealed and my site is Embu, Kenya! Technically I live right outside Embu, located in the Eastern Province of Kenya. The school is Saint Luke’s School for the Deaf—my home is within the school grounds. The school is very large, about 10 acres. Many of the classrooms are new, as well as few old classrooms made of wood with missing walls. The students are very clever and hard working; the school was ranked third amongst Deaf school in Kenya. Embu town is sizeable (compared to Loitokitok standards). It boasts 3 different “supermarkets” and the open-air market runs everyday.
The land is scorched by the sun, and it intensity has only caused despair here- many people are suffering because of the international food shortages, as well as an unproductive rainy season. The school’s own farm has produced very little, but since the school is public it receives funds from the government, which seems to be enough. The hills roll over the land and are only shadowed by the great Mount Kenya, which was once Africa’s largest mountain (The culprit: global warming. Some of it’s glaciers have melted so now my old neighbor Kilimanjaro takes that prize), but now stands as second highest mountain. The Kikuyu people believe their God Ngai lives atop the remaining jagged glaciers. They call the mountain “Kirinyaga” which I understand to mean mountain of brightness.
The Kikuyu are the most populous tribe in all of Kenya, and the area by Mount Kenya is their heartland. So far I have been given a Kikuyu name (in Kikuyu if a word starts with Gi it usually has a negative connotation explaining my name is spelled G-i-n-n-i-e gets weird looks), so now my name is Mumbi, which means “ one who creates”. I like it better then my Akamba name my home stay Mama gave me, Mwendy meaning “visitor”.
My home is quite large; I have two bedrooms, a sitting room, indoor bathroom, and kitchen. I also have electricity, I have been like a child in toy store filled with excitement every time I am able to charge something! Right now the house is quite empty except for the many creatures that populate my home--among them are ants, mosquitoes, spiders (some as large as my hand) and lizards. I painstaking try to kill all of them, although I found out that the lizards eat the rest of the bugs so I have accepted them as my ally. I spent the first day afraid to step out from under my mosquito net, but now I have perfected the art of “shoe throwing”, and I have become quite precise in my aim. I have added a collage of different pictures and cards people have sent me to my kitchen, so keep them coming! (side note my address will be the same for a few months, but that address can be used throughout my two years here). I have spoken with the head teacher and she has allowed me to use some land to start my own shamba (farm), the housemother has also agreed to help me buy a chicken, so I can have eggs. Everyone seems happy that I want to try to farm and call me a “real African”.
I have not yet started teaching, this week we are waiting for more children to arrive and having meeting to discuss whom will take each class. I was asked to teach class four KSL, and a stand-alone class on HIV/AIDS. I have a huge challenge ahead of me but I am trying to sort out creative lesson plans and activities for the school. Today I meet prominent community members, including the Chief, two Sub-Chiefs, Police Commissioner, and leaders of the Ministry of Education. I was graciously greeted, and I have high hopes for my secondary projects to support the community.
The children here are so amazing, every morning they assemble for a “parade” which includes a story from a teacher, and then a series of “songs” lead by older girls. At first they approached me with caution, but now it is as if I cannot keep track of number of taps I get from different children trying to get my attention. They also gave me a new sign name; the sign letter G at my dimple that moves back and fourth. I am trying to learn 81 new sign names, but so far I have enjoyed just playing Frisbee and chatting. I have also arranged to meet with deaf adults in Embu town. I am eager to make friends and see if I can assist with any community development activities.
At times I feel this is the most exciting time of my life, but I also believe it is the loneliest as well. Adjusting to a new environment, community and lifestyle (imagine having to live where you work!) will be challenging. Despite the hardships, I feel as if I have come alive with creativity and passion. The only matter is identifying with the positive and holding on to hope—hope that I can have confidence in my ability, hope that I can make a difference in the lives of these children, and finally hope that my shoe hits the large spider!

We live in a beautiful world

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Pericles

The time has come once again to leave the familiar and venture out unto the unknown. Tomorrow I will leave Loitokitok for Nairobi; I will then meet my supervisor and head to my site, which remains nameless. I trust the Peace Corps once again to decide my fate.

I will leave Loitokitok with a heavy heart, but with many astonishing memories. Today in the market I wanted to feel the buzz of whole town--alive. I stood in the middle hearing the hum of bargaining, the back and fourth drama, the friendly greetings. I breathe in deeply the fresh breeze from Kilimanjaro, hoping I will never forget what it was like to stand here, in the middle of it all. On my walk home I greeted all my favorite neighbors and hugged them, trying desperately to memorize the contours of their smiles as they wished me luck. I approach the small red house on top of a hill, I see three familiar faces running toward me, as I run toward them. My sisters all giggle as I chase and tickle them; I hold the smallest one in my arms and toss her up into the sky. She squeals with delight as I remember, this may be the last time for it all. The sun setting in the distance and the world is showing off—the most brilliant blues and greens dance in the sky, as the sun’s rays hit the hills and plateaus reflecting bits of orange and reds, all painted across the canvas of green rolling shambas.

Change visits once again, and only demands flexibility and courage. This time, I will begin my work as a teacher and although nervous, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be involved in work I truly believe in.

Swiftly Tilting

I am in Nairobi, unfortunately I broke my tooth on a rock in my Githeri( bean mixture) so I am going to the dentist today. I am staying in a nice part of Nairobi and it is quite beautiful. Right now I am at the Peace Corps office so I am able to load some photos. The first one is from Independence Day ( tree planting) my family along with another Trainee's family. The second one is the village where I live (the constant rain allows for spectacular rainbows!). The third is another view from my walk to and from town. The last one is my sister and I inside the gates of my shamba (farm) and that is Kilimanjaro behind me!

In other news I am very excited to be Auntie Africa in the near future! My only sadness is that I will be so far away, but I guess I'll have many things to teach my new niece or nephew ( KSL, Kiswahili, and perhaps how to purify their own water, or check to see if they have malaria?) . Jokes aside I am overwhelmed with joy!

Kawheri!