From Kenya to Cali

I am the luckiest girl in the world. About six weeks after I arrived home from Africa, Africa came to me. Lucy and a handful of her kids from Hope Community Center in Kinangop, Kenya arrived in the States to sing and fundraise for their orphanage. First leg of the trip: San Diego. Then they toured the East Coast and came back to San Diego for 5 days before flying back to Kenya on Dec 23rd. It was fascinating to see American life through their eyes. I was fortunate to spend lots of quality time with the kids, especially Juliet (12) and Julia (13)...living at Felicia's, pedicures with mom, dance class, Medieval Times, meals together, the park, lots of singing and lots and lots of YouTube. They love posing for pictures and taking video of themselves and then watching it over and over. I had two camera batteries and always had to have one charged and ready to replace the other. They love playing at the park, especially the swings. They don't like pasta or red sauce. They like chicken and lemonade. Juliet is always laughing and happy as a clam. She doesn't easily get upset or hold grudges. Julia is definitely a teenager. She has many layers but struggles to express herself. And even though her teenage moodiness often reared it's ugly head, I found myself drawn to her. Felicia and I made it our personal mission to teach the girls that they have a voice. Although it doesn't flow with their culture, we wanted them to assert themselves when it came to choices even on the simple stuff like "do you want cheese or pepperoni?" In the end, after pouring my life and energy into these kids, I was exhausted. But it was worth it...even the drama. More and more I think I want to forgo traditional motherhood - you know...get married, get pregnant, have baby, live happily ever after - p.s. don't tell my mother. Instead, adopt a kid from Africa...maybe not even a baby. Anyway... goodbyes were anti-climatic. I can't take it personally. Over the years, I'm sure the kids have learned to detach from people who won't be in their lives forever. I hope it's not forever. I miss them already.

CLICK HERE to see more pics from Part 1 - October/November

CLICK HERE to see more pics from Part 2 - December

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First Love Kenya

Our visit to First Love was a last minute addition to our schedule on our last day in Kenya. I had no idea what to expect...I was worn out but hoping for an experience to redeem the one at Mama Lucy's...something to give me hope. And that's exactly what I found at First Love Girls Home. The minute we arrived, the girls greeted us and gave us hugs. One girl, Caroline (13 yrs old) immediately connected with me. She grabbed my hand and took me on a tour. The facility was beautiful with nice buildings, flowers, a vegetable garden, animals (dogs, cats, chickens) and lots of trees. I was impressed by their bedrooms, decent clothes and clean toothbrushes. The girls shower everyday. They have one "mama", two "aunties" and two "uncles" to watch over them, cook for them and take care of the facilities. These seem like simple things but simple things that every child needs and deserves. On site they have an office/dorm, guesthouse, garage, woodshop, kitchen, water tower that doubles as a security watchtower and they're currently building a dining hall and second dorm. I could tell immediately that these girls were well taken care of and are on a path to healing. Some are already thriving. During our afternoon visit, we painted lots of toes, taught them sudoku, and made bracelets. The girls sang while crafting and it seemed full of life and peace and joy. These kids were different than the ones at Mama Lucy's. All of my teammates and I could tell the difference. We had to pick our jaws up off the floor!

Caroline gravitated toward me the entire afternoon. I learned a lot about her as we played on the swings. She loves singing and wants to be a singer when she grows up. She and another girl, Freida sang on video for me (see below). They are precious and have such deep souls. I knew it would be hard to say goodbye. By that time I had decided I would become her sponsor but until details were set up, I couldn't tell her. So I said, you will always be in my heart, I love you, I will write to you and pray for you. Being her sponsor means I give a monthly contribution to First Love and continue my friendship with Caroline through writing letters. I am really looking forward to watching her mature into a beautiful young woman. She has been given an amazing gift: opportunity. Opportunity to dream and learn and grow and live the life she couldn't live before. I love the name "First Love" because it reminds me how God loves us first...even before we know him or love him back. Spending the day with Caroline and the girls at First Love was so valuable. A tangible example of how God loves and takes care of "the least of these". My trip to Kenya was worth it just to meet her..I will be back!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Hope Community Center

I wrote 48 pages in my journal about my experience at Hope Community Center a.k.a. "Mama Lucy's" in Kinangop, Kenya. The good, the bad and the ugly. It feels pretty overwhelming to write about it here. Spending 4 1/2 days at Mama Lucy's was supposed to be THE highlight of our trip. I will definitely say the place changes you. But not in the way you would think. These beautiful kids were rescued from life on the streets and given a roof over their head. But they still go every day without many basic necessities. They are still scarred and in need of healing. Overall, I believe our team did a good job of showing affection, attention and love to 200 kids who needed it. We did the best we could with the resources and direction we were given.

Thank you to my friends who contributed toward the washer and dryer fund! Lucy bought the washer and dryer and they arrived the morning before we left. I had the opportunity to teach the older girls how to operate the machines. A unique experience I will not forget.

Below is a little taste of Hope Community Center on the day of our arrival. If you want to hear about the other days and my analysis of the week, call me.

Day 1 - Arrival:

Before arriving at Mama Lucy's, we stopped in the town of Naivasha at a small walmart-type store called Naivas. We bought a ton of stuff for the kids and babies: school notebooks, plastic pants for diapers, cloth diaper fasteners, underwear for the girls, plates/cups, soap, laundry detergent, bleach, a basketball, and more. I loved being able to spend the money that my friends had given me for this purpose. We drove out of town and onto the bumpiest dirt road I've ever travelled on. In the early evening we arrived at Hope Community Center and all the kids in their uniforms came out to greet us. They were shy and cute. Mama Lucy was not there. After unloading our luggage and store purchases, we joined the kids for their nightly "devotion" time of singing, prayer and a message led by Gerald a former HCC kid (now 25 years old) and on a break from college. I loved their music. Their voices were loud and their tone was beautiful. Lots of clapping and movement and yet bet I joined in! Then dinner was brought in a HUGE cauldron full of beans that took four older boys to carry. We helped dish out large portions of beans to the kids and served them. We would have been happy to eat what the kids were eating, but Jackson, the cook and a few older girls insisted they cook separate for us. They were so generous and the food tasted great! All week we ate rice, cooked greens (kale), cabbage, ugali (corn meal), chicken, hard boiled eggs and yummy fried bread called mandazi. And of course, hot tea. We stayed in a 3 story dorm-style building with running water and a toilet. Before bed we prepped for the next day's activities including health check ups (by our 3 nurses), outdoor games, and indoor learning activities and crafts.

An interesting first day but just the beginning of an interesting week...

Equator and Nakuru National Park

You would think it would be really hot standing on the equator...not so. Feels like San Diego weather. Random fact for the day: Did you know that north of the equator water spins down a drain clockwise, south of the equator it spins counterclockwise and directly on the equator it doesn't spin at all??

We went on safari at Lake Nakuru where we saw so many beautiful animals up close. It was an amazing experience. I highly recommend going on safari at least once in your life. Pictures tell a thousand words.

Yes, that's a rhino

CLICK HERE to see all my Kenya photos

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TumuTumu School for the Deaf

September 11, 2009 in Kenya: School for the Deaf Day! This was the day I'd been waiting for and one of the main reason why I joined the North Coast team going to Kenya. During the 2 hour drive to TumuTumu, I met and chatted with Kenyan Sign Language Interpreter, Judy Wanjiru. Judy is a freelance interpreter and also interprets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Nairobi where hundreds of deaf people attend. We instantly connected and talked about KSL vs ASL, her sign background and I picked her brain for KSL signs. When we arrived at TumuTumu, our team checked into the guest house then toured the 100 year old hospital on site. TumuTumu is in Karatina near Mt. Kenya which is a lush mountainous region where they grow lots of coffee and tea. The weather was cool and breezy...such a beautiful day.

Felicia and I were assigned to organize the day's activities although we were also told to be SUPER flexible. Africa time is different than America time...it's kinda like DST (Deaf Standard Time) :) The moment we arrived at the school's front gates which proudly read their name, mission and vision, I was so excited! When we walked onto the school property, the kids were so affectionate and I loved that I could somewhat communicate with them. Luckily the alphabet in KSL is the same as ASL. In fact, many signs are the same. Our team gathered in the teacher's lounge to meet the headmaster and spell out our plan. That's when the chaos began. To make a long story short, I wasn't able to do an effective job of leading my team through the plan. Part of that ineffectiveness was my lack of preparation and the other part involved some teammates trying to take charge when it wasn't their day to be the chief. This was a very challenging situation for me...and in the end I was proud of my non-confrontational self for setting boundaries with others. So the day proceeded but in a rough and messy fashion. Anyone who works with deaf kids knows that it can be a lot of fun but getting 200 kids' attention at one time to explain directions is nearly impossible. Once outside, the kids played soccer (we brought new balls), parachute, bubbles, and ribbon games. I tossed around the volleyball with some teenage girls and helped with the big bubbles. I also chatted with Allen, a TumuTumu teacher who is an American and a Peace Corps Volunteer...ironically he attended Cal State Northridge (CSUN) while I was working there but we never crossed paths. Later we all went inside for the organized mayhem craft project. It was definitely crazy but the kids were so creative and energetic. The day ended too soon and we were invited to "take tea" with the headmaster and teachers. I enjoyed talking to some of the teachers but I wished for more time with the kids. Overall, the day wasn't what I expected. I had hoped for more interactions, connecting and bonding with the kids. I had hoped to do something with a greater purpose. I felt crushed when we left and had a strong desire to re-do the day all over again. But later I realized that this day was not about ME...duh. It was about the kids. Looking back, I think the kids had a fun experience and felt loved by our team. The day was about building relationships and I believe we did that. The headmaster was thrilled that we came all the way from America to visit and invited us to come back again soon. I forgot to sign the guest book which is a Kenya tradition when you visit places or homes so I guess that means I'm meant to go back there :)

With Judy, the KSL Interpreter and Mr. Headmaster

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Jamii Bora

Today was so different than I thought it would be. We were told we'd be going to Jamii Bora Children's Home. However, we were blown away by what we encountered there. "Jamii Bora" in the town of Kuputiei (outside of Nairobi) is the vision come true of a Swedish women named Ingrid Munro who worked for the African Housing Fund over 20 years ago. Street beggars in her community wanted her to help them find housing and her dream was to permanantely move them from a life of poverty. She started out by asking the street beggars to save the money they earned from begging. It took a long while for the people to trust her but eventually they started pooling their money together and years later the Jamii Bora Fund was created. Jamii Bora has become the first African ECO-friendly village built with microfiancing to provide housing for the poor. Jamii Bora started employing the street beggars and people in the local community to produce the materials for construction...bricks and tiles from raw materials like dirt, gravel, and cement. Then they started building homes. These homes have toilets, running water and solar power electricity. The town has several wells and above ground tanks plus a waste water treatment plant and they use recycled water for the toilets and gardens. There is a primary school and a children's home for abandoned kids. Jamii Bora Trust continues to make loans to people who are now former beggars, prostitutes and thieves so they can purchase a home. They already have all the construction materials finished to build 8 communities with 240 houses each for about 10,000 people. They have plans underway to build a secondary school. Jamii Bora is on Masai land...Masai is one of the Kenyan tribes. Traditionally tribes are very separate and do not integrate. But these particular Masai people wanted to welcome others to their land. They said, we will all be in heaven together...why not get to know each other now? While we were at Jamii Bora, we got a tour of the factory (wood walls with a tin roof and dirt floor) where they explained the entire production process with demonstrations. We saw them working on a new water tank and heard a description of the entire community development plan. We visited a little general store where one women was selling produce, food, candies including Obama gum and beautiful Masai fabric. One women, Cecilia invited us into her home. She told us how she has been waiting 27 years to have a home of her own. She used to be a drunkard and street beggar and now her life has been transformed thanks to God and the Swedish visionary, Ingrid Munro. We met the boys from the children's home who were home from school for lunch. They introduced themselves, sang to us and then we sang all together. One boy, James the song leader in grade 8, won my heart. He had beautiful light brown eyes full of light and was so endearing to me. We received a tour of the school where we met several teachers and saw students in their classrooms. Jamii Bora was a dream of just one woman with a passion for the poor and the outcasts of society. She has changed the world for so many people. There's so much I can learn from her perseverance and determination. This is love and service in action. I am awed that I was able to experience it. The Jamii Bora model is one of the most effective and sustainable solutions to combat poverty I've ever seen. Imagine if this town was replicated in other parts of Africa and around the world...we would be so many steps closer to eliminating poverty!

If you're really interested in learning more about Jamii Bora check out these videos:

• Jamii Bora on CNBC Africa
• Jamii Bora Success Story: Wilson Maina Part 1 and Part 2

"Not even the sky is the limit." Ingrid Munro

To top off a great day...three of my teammates and I took a hip hop dance class at Destiny Dance next door to our hotel. Yes, I TOOK DANCE CLASS IN KENYA!! I am in heaven now!

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Tumaini Children's Home

All day today I rode shotgun in the matatu (van) next to the driver and learned so much about Nairobi and Kenyan culture. We first went downtown to shop...mostly for items to resale at the Global Market back in the States and send the money to the kids here in Kenya. We all bought fun souvenirs too. We ate lunch at an Indian restaurant...the wait for the food was one hour (needless to say we were all cranky and delirious) but the food was amazing and some of the best Indian food I've ever had. Then we headed off to Tumaini Children's Home (tumaini means "hope" in Swahili). There are 15 kids who live there and they all have HIV/AIDS...but you would never know it by meeting them. They are so full of life and joy. They sang for us and recited poems. We got to take pictures and just snuggle with them. They loved seeing their pictures on the digital camera display. We all played with a huge parachute and it was great to see their laughter as they shook it and ran underneath back and forth. Then one of our team members read a story as all the kids sat on our laps. I had three boys sitting on my lap. One in the middle and one on each knee. They just wanted to be held and touched. Last they showed us their bedrooms...they were so proud! They sang us another song and then two kids prayed for us. They were so sweet and kind hearted. Our goodbyes lasted forever...it was difficult to break away from them. They yelled goodbye and waved furiously as we drove away. I have lots to process and will take time to write more about my thoughts and feeling in another posting. We drove to dinner at Java House and ate outside on a patio. The weather is beautiful...so much like San Diego. Alice who is the wife of Solomon, our Kenyan "partner" on this trip, sat at my table. We picked her brain about Kenyan life and I even wrote down a couple of her recipes. Lots to absorb but I'm loving it. I'm totally soaking up not being in an all-white world. I really enjoy watching the people as we drive through the city and I wonder about their worlds. Tomorrow we're going to Jamii Bora a poorer children's home. P.S. There is a dance studio next door to our hotel and I am really hoping to take a class there if I have free time. It would add a cherry on top to an incredible African experience!


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Hi From Kenya!

Jambo! (That's Swahili for "hello"!) We made it to Nairobi, Kenya on Monday morning. The weather was cool and partly cloudy and in fact has been in the 70s everyday so far. Not too hot and not too cold. We got picked up by our drivers JM and Wilfred and taken to our lodging for the week at Gracia Guest House. Probably built in the 1970s, dormitory style w a common room in the middle. My roomate and team member Felicia and I are a great match. All the Kenyan hotel staff are very friendly and welcoming which I've heard is pretty common among Kenyans. From what I've observed Nairobi seems like a mixed area with poor tin roof houses, people herding cows down the street, middle/working class people riding the van/buses or walking to work and then new condos and private schools in gated communities and a mall where the trendy "rich" people shop and hang out (that's where I am now using an internet cafe). I'm trying to soak in all my surroundings...so much to see! From the guest house we went to Nairobi National Park to see the baby elephant orphanage. I can't even describe how cute they were. Got to touch and take up close pictures. We also went to a girafe reserve where I got to feed, pet and even kiss a girafe! Pictures to come! An amazing opportunity. However, I spent most of the day in a fog from not enough sleep (two nights of sleeping upright on a plane) and my allergies were going crazy which started in London (feeling much better now). Today we made a trip to the village of N'gundu about 2 hours away. North Coast Calvary Chapel has a partnership with N'gundu Church and have helped fund their vocational school, toilets, medical clinic, trees, etc. So we visited as "representatives". While we were there we got a tour of the brand new vocational school (one tin roof building w 3 sewing machines) where they proudly showed us their very first mosquito net recently completed. Their first project will be to sew these nets and sell in the village. We planted trees and named them. Mine is named CuCu ("shoo-shoo") Virginia... which means grandmother after my grandma who helped fund my trip via my mom and aunts. Then we ate brunch that consisted of sweet potatoes (yellow), mandazi (like triangle doughnuts), small bananas, muffins and tea with milk. So good. I talked to one women about the tea and learned how they make it by boiling 1/2 milk and 1/2 water then putting in the tea leaves and then straining out the leaves. I will definitely be buying lots of tea to take home! Last we toured the clinic then gave them a suitcase full of medical supplies. On the way home we saw a few kids walking home from school. We stopped to give them lollipops and pens. Even dirty and some barefoot...these kids were so adorable.




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I made it to London

I'm at Heathrow Airport in London getting ready to board the flight to Nairobi. Before leaving for the airport my suitcase was 10 lbs overweight...a little stressful but I made it along with all of our bags through check-in. The flight was looooong to London...10 hours. Sleeping pills didn't help much plus a screaming baby who didn't sleep the entire flight. Our team spent all day walking around London and got to see some of the main sites. Fun but exhausting! My time is about to expire so I'll write more soon!

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50 lbs is so limiting!

I am READY! I think. Our plane leaves at 1pm tomorrow from LAX and arrives in London on Sunday morning. 10 hour flight. Then another 7 hour flight to Nairobi. I plan to pop some pills and go nite nite....zzzz

Seriously...why do they make suitcases so large? If you fill them up, guaranteed they'll go over the 50 lbs limit...which I planned to do and suck up the overage charge but just learned today that they'll charge $125! Needless to say, I had to reorganize. I have a ton of extra room but nope...heavy baby. Don't the airlines care about the poor African children?? Well, at least Roxy the cat isn't complaining...


You'd think I'd be in bed by now. My roomie Kate and I are sitting on the couch side by side in front of the only fan in the house with dueling laptops while listening to hip hop/pop music from 2004 (i.e. OutKast, Destiny's Child, Usher). I think Rylee dog knows I'm leaving. Sad panda. She climbed up on the big couch pillow behind me and perched there for a few minutes...a first for her. I know she will love two weeks of Auntie Kate time...I'm sure there will be bacon involved :)


If I can get online during my trip, I will update the blog so keeping checkin back, y'all.

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Off to bed!

Schedule in Kenya

Just in case y'all want to know what I'll be doing for the next two weeks. By the way, Kenya is 10 hours ahead of California.

September:
5 Sat: Leave LAX
6 Sun: LAX to London
7 Mon: Arrive Nairobi
8 Tues: Ng’undu church, health clinic, polytech school, plant trees
9 Wed: Tumaini Children’s Home for HIV/AIDS children
10 Thurs: Jami Bora Children’s Home
11 Fri: Presbyterian Hospital and Tumutumu School for Deaf
12 Sat: Visit equator, Nakuru Game Park
13 Sun: Nakuru Safari
14 Mon: Nakuru to North Kinengop, Hope Community Center
15 Tues: Hope Community Center
16 Wed: Hope Community Center
17 Thurs: Hope Community Center
18 Fri: Leave Hope Center to Nairobi. Visit Masai Market.
19 Sat: Kibera Slum - Health checks for Kuwinda girls, Leave Nairobi for London
20 Sun: Arrive LAX

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Africa in 3.5 Weeks!

11 Bags x 50 lbs = 550 lbs
11 suitcases are packed full of stuff for the kids! We've been collecting shoes, socks, clothes, diapers, craft/art supplies, school supplies, medical items, toothpase/toothbrushes for the last 6 months. Every bag is completely maxed out at 50 lbs. My Type A personality-self was lucky enough make an itemized list for each of the 11 bags...it was really fun and I'm not kidding :) Each team member will bring one of these suitcases along with our personal suitcase.


Who knew cookies could bring in so much dough!
Last weekend our team did a fundraiser at 4 church services and made over $1600! We sold baked goods, snow cones and flowers. Our team is now fully funded and we are ready to go! Shallow deep thought: Why don't good-looking guys buy baked goods? Oh girl, you know I saw many and they walked right past that table...maybe they're saving their money for Carls Jr??

Washer and Dryer Update
We have raised enough money to buy TWO washers and a dryer! The Black Nurses Association donated $1,000 toward the machines. We will actually be purchasing the washers and dryer in Kenya during our trip. I'm stoked about this because one of my goals was to raise this money. Thanks to some of my friends who gave specifically for the w/d. As the self-designated team historian, you bet I'll be taking lots of pictures!


Collins
Collins is the boy I sponsor in Kenya. He just sent me a new picture. He's 12 years old now. Isn't he cute? In his most recent letter he wrote: Miss Mandy, Receive greetings from me. Thank you for your gift that you sent for me. I still have your pet picture. In our country we are peaceful. We are not fighting each other again...I thank God that you are a-live. I thank Him because he cares for you and me. My family loves you so much. We are still praying for you...your son, Collins. Sweet boy. I'm really bummed that I won't be able to meet him on my trip to Kenya.

Flip Flop (i was)
Look what my roommate, Kate got me for my birthday! It's a bracelet that's made of flip flops. Yes, flip flops :) Apparently thousands of discarded flip flops wash up on the African shoreline. Nasty trash. But now the local people collect and recycle the waste to make accessories, jewelry and sculptures. Genius! These products provide earnings that allow them to maintain their way of life and provide a better future for themselves and their families. Lots of cool stuff for sale check it out: http://www.flipflopiwas.com/

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The Man Who Loves the Cowardly Lion

I recently read something simple that impacted the way I view God. I have always struggled with God's image - I believe God is God you know what I mean? - but I often find difficulty in wraping my head around his character. I grew up learning that if you follow the rules and be a "good Christian girl" then God won't be angry at you or condemn you or strike you down with lightning. But yet God says that he is good and loving toward all he has made. So which is it? Is he good and loving? Or angry and condemning? It's taken many years but in my adulthood I've come to embrace that God loves me with without condition. Period. But let's keep it real...it's tough to reverse those negative messages you've been told your whole life. So really it's a continual journey to knowing God...like this line I read at the end of Psalm 62:

God has said, "I am strong and I am loving."

That's it. Too simple, right? Yet somehow the combination of the two words "strong and loving" struck a chord with me and this image from my childhood appeared in my head. I immediately thought of a person - someone I didn't even know that well - who embodied those two words. When I was in the 7th grade, one of my dance teachers introduced us to her then boyfriend, now husband. He was very tall, larger than life and looked strong and had very loving eyes. All of us 12 year old girls instantly loved him. He would tease us and make us laugh. He rode a motorcycle and had the ability to hurt someone if he wanted to yet he was tender and loving. He came to our dance recitals and competitions to cheer us on. He praised our dancing and told us how we cute we looked in our Wizard of Oz costumes. In my mind, he was a strong and loving man who could protect me if I was in danger and cherish me for just being me. Someone who thought I was lovely even dressed as the Cowardly Lion in hideous face makeup. That's the image of God I embraced that day...a God who thinks I'm lovely even when I act or feel unlovely.

It is not because men and women are good that God loves them, nor only good men and women that He loves. It is because He is so unutterably good that He loves all persons, good and evil...He loves the loveless, the unloving, the unlovable. (From Brenning Manning's The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus)

This is the God I want to know.

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Nail Polish

Our Kenya Team meets every three weeks so we can learn about each other and talk about the upcoming trip. Last Sunday we met and I talked to a few of my teammates about the orphan girls at Hope Community Centre and how they love to get their nails painted. Apparently they've specifically asked that we bring nail polish colors "Red" and "Glitter". They will all line up and we get to paint their nails. So cute! I also heard that some of the girls will get their nails painted then go wipe off the paint just so they can get back in line to get their nails painted again. They just want to be touched and loved on. Wow how precious.

For her 6th birthday next month, my niece will be spending the night at "Auntie Mandy's" house for the first time. I think we'll be painting our nails...

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GO, FIGHT, WIN, Kenyan Deafies!

One of my Google Alerts is set to "kenya deaf" which means every time there's a news article or blog posting anywhere on the internet with those two keywords, I get an email about it. Because of these notifications, I've learned some fascinating things and I'm even following the blogs of complete strangers. It's amazing how information gets around these days! Below are a few cool things I've found:

1) FEED 2 Kenya Bag

Too bad it's $195 and only available at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC or I would buy one! Handcrafted in Kenya by a coop of women and deaf Kenyans, each FEED 2 Kenya bag includes a $100 donation to the UN World Food Program's School Feeding operations in Kenya. Not only does this purchase support women and deaf Kenyan artisans, but the donation provides meals to 2 Kenyan children for one year. Each bag is hand-beaded and made with burlap and the iconic Kenyan Masai tribal fabric. The WFP school feeding program in Kenya is a needed support for a nation that is now dealing with a food crisis leaving 10 million Kenyans at risk of hunger. Click here to see video of FEED Founder showing the bag and interviewing with Good Day New York.

2) Peace Corps Volunteers Teaching the Deaf

I've read a TON about "Deaf Education" Peace Corps Volunteers working in Kenya. I'm very impressed because it seems a) these volunteers really don't know any Kenyan Sign Language going into their assignment and b) they don't have any formal training on how to teach...period. My degree is in Deaf Education and I know first hand how difficult it is to teach...let alone teach deaf kids. I can't imagine trying to teach when you don't even know the language. Kudos to these young volunteers for having the courage to try! Click here to see a short video clip from a school for the deaf in Mombasa. They are so cute and it warms my heart to see little deaf kids signing and to hear their deaf "voices". Love it. [Picture credit: http://www.hearkenya.com/]

3) Deaf Team in the Nairobi Basketball Association

The "Deaf Queens" made history by recently joining the Nairobi league. The article I read said they lost their first game but put up a spirited fight. Apparently they will be playing in the upcoming Deaflympics, THE olympic games for the Deaf. GO, FIGHT, WIN, Kenyan Deafies! Click here to read the full article published in the Daily Nation, Kenya's Daily Newspaper.

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"In my dreams, I'm a Kenyan."

On Sunday, my roomate Kate and I took the trolley to the Rock N Roll Marathon in Downtown San Diego to cheer for our runner friend Janelle (we're so proud of her!). On the way back, we saw a man at the Old Town stop who was wearing a green shirt that said, "In my dreams, I'm a Kenyan." I assume it's referring to Kenyans who are famously known for running?? Kinda awkward to sneak a picture of a total stranger but I'm glad Kate made me do it! Part of me feels like when I get to Kenya and meet all the people, I too will dream about being a Kenyan :)

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Dinner for Kenya

On Saturday night, May 30, 2009, Julie and Ed Dunn hosted a fundraiser dinner for my Kenya trip. They went above and beyond to create an amazing night! Every detail was covered from the Kenyan meal and coffee to the flag decorations and colored balloons that matched. I am so thankful for how they love me like one of their own. Big shout out to Mom and Dad for helping prepare for the event and embracing my international endeavor. I greatly appreciate the support of my friends, family and even new friends I met that night. Everyone brought items for me to take to the kids: toothbrushes, school supplies, shoes, socks, etc. We filled up a huge suitcase. And thanks to all, I raised an incredible amount toward my trip!

Toward the end of the night, I had the opportunity to speak to the group. I am an introvert who is really good at faking extrovertedness :) So I stood up explained how the opportunity to go to Africa came about and outlined my tenative plans and volunteer work (see blog #1). The most authentic part of the evening came when I opened it up for Q&A. Sidenote: I'm a bit of a people-pleaser by nature however, I consider myself an out-of-the-box Christian (which hasn't always been the case) and sometimes that can rub other Christians the wrong way. Needless to say I'm learning to get over it very quickly! So the new and improved who-gives-a-rip-what-other-people-think-about-me Mandy took the opportunity to be transparent: My trip isn't about evangelism. I'm not going to start a new church or convert the jungle tribes to Christianity. Through my relationships and connections, whether I'm helping in a classroom, doing crafts with the kids, holding abandoned babies, or planting trees, I am bringing God's love and hope. I was asked why I want to go to Africa and what I hope to get out of it. Good question...kinda deep to be answered on the spot. But luckily I had been thinking about it this week. This may seems strange, but I trace my love of the poor and oppressed to my dog, Rylee. She honestly changed my life. I sound like a crazy dog lady, I know. But for real...my compassion for animals was birthed from witnessing Rylee being treated unfairly (that's putting it nicely). Then I started volunteering at the humane society and loving on other dogs who's well-being had been compromised. From protecting animals against cruelty, my passion has grown to all who have been treated unjustly by this world: the poor, the victims of domestic violence, the abused and neglected, the enslaved. My heart breaks for the African people who are stuck in the cycle of poverty living on $1 a day, for women and children who have to prostitute themselves to put food on the table, and for kids who run away from home because they are being severly beaten only to be abused on the streets. At this point I'm not really sure what I can do about it or how I can help...except by meeting some of the people face to face and loving on them. I have a lot of questions and random deep thoughts that I will write more about in future postings.

More than the money donated, I felt emotionally supported which is super valuable to me. And it wasn't like, "Oh, that's good for you" or "That's nice you're helping the poor African children." But I sensed they were saying "Since we can't go, we're sending you to represent us." I really appreciated that.

I have a feeling this won't be my last trip to Africa.

Click here to see more pictures of the Dinner.

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Ashes Into Beauty

I came across this picture today when reading the Winter 2009 installment of Compassion Magazine. Its sadness and beauty struck me deeply. How can these kids who are standing in the middle of a slum be laughing and happy? How can they muster a smile on their face surrounded in filth and stench of trash, disease and feces?

The chasm between poverty-abuse-death and life-peace-hope is so wide. I struggle to understand how a child who has experienced this world’s deep injustices and foulness of life can rise above and be hopeful, healthy and alive inside. I do believe that God can heal a person holistically: physically, mentally, and spiritually. I do not discount that but the answer isn’t so “pat”. Here’s where I get stuck: An American child identified as being neglected and/or abused has a plethora of mental health resources available to them. Our system is not perfect and vastly needs improvement but there are tools in place to help a child move from brokenness to healthiness. We are fortunate to live in a country that supports mental health yet many of these American kids who get “help” remain damaged and continue the destructive cycle into adulthood. Even my own life experience (which cannot even come close to the suffering I mentioned above) has led me to seek counseling for healing of my whole self…which has taken years. In a third world country where poverty often leads to violence against children, and mental health is the lowest of priorities, how can complete healing take place?

"Poverty and abuse speak the same message into the heart of a child: Nobody cares. You don’t matter. Nobody is coming to your rescue. Give up" (Compassion Magazine, Winter 2009). The kids at Hope Community Centre in Kenya used to receive messages like this everyday…for years and years. Their lives have seen hunger, disease, violence, rape, and murder. These kids were traumatized. Nobody cared…until they were rescued. But they don’t just “get over it” overnight. There are no quick fixes to healing a physically or sexually abused child’s spirit. It seems that some Christians think, “Show them Jesus and everything will be fine.” Yes, show them the hope and love of Jesus but it doesn’t mean that they are instantly healed from years of pain. The road to recovery is long. For the last couple of weeks the question on my mind has been: In the Kenyan orphanages I'll be visiting, what are they doing to help these kids rise from the ashes physically, mentally and spiritually? I don't know the answer yet.

Even though I can’t wrap my head around all this, something inside me feels called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. I am one person but one more is better than no more. I am driven by my hope that someday God will turn their ashes into beauty.

“God has sent me to comfort those who mourn…He sent me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called ‘Trees of Justice’ planted by God to honor his name.” (Isaiah 61:2-3)

http://fromcalitokenya.blogspot.com/