Part 11: We visited a couple of the homes of relatives, as it was
the school's vision to keep the children connected with their other
relatives and community. One of the homes consisted of a very small,
dark shelter seemingly built around a fire. Inside it was smoky and
dark, so the woman came out to greet us. She was a tiny woman of 90,
the grandmother of one of the students who now was in college. She
seemed so happy to meet us-- she prayed a prayer of blessing and then as
is customary, spit upon herself and on us. We felt so honored! We
visited an elementary school where the average class size was 100 (to
one teacher!). We have never seen more well behaved children. The ones
from the children's home came out to greet us. Some of the students
stepped forward and made a speech about how happy they were that we had
come. We also visited secondary schools, each time meeting the
principals and some of the students from the home. On the way back to
the home, we stopped by a nursery where Amos and Moses purchased trees
for us to plant. Much care was taken in choosing trees that would be
sustainable and provide either fruit or nuts or have some medicinal
benefit for the children. Our friends borrowed a book from the nursery's owner, describing each tree, then spent a good hour trying to find a store that would copy the pages so we could take them home. We also stopped by Amos' office and home
where we met his wife and had tea and fruit. There is no comparison
between the warm welcome we were experiencing and what we extend as
hospitality back home. People took so much time to be with us, talk
with us, eat with us, and take us around. We were sure they had much to
do, but they made us the most important part of their day. When
we arrived back at the home, the children were already home from school
and busy doing their chores. Some were in the kitchen, washing the
dishes. Some were scrubbing the floor of the dining/study hall. Some
were helping to wash clothes, feed the animals and farm. Everyone was
smiling, laughing, talking, singing. They looked so well and happy.
Most had lost their parents to AIDS, yet here at the Marifiki Aids
Center they became a new family. After a delicious dinner of
ugali (corn porridge) and sukuma wiki (chopped kale fried with pork), we
brought out the instruments and sound system. The children enjoyed
playing with the keyboard and guitar and especially with the
microphone. One of the former students who was now in college returned
for a visit and played the keyboard while the children sang.
Afterwards, Sharon showed him a few chords on the guitar. He hoped to
come back routinely and work with the children on the instruments.
What a long day, and yet the time had flown by. As we prepared for
bed, there was a knock on our door. Outside, the girls had gathered and
wanted us to write our names on pieces of paper for them. They
disappeared and reappeared a few minutes later with handmade cards and
notes of thanks. They had surely won our hearts! We hated to leave.
