Kochia and a new life

I can't even begin to describe the past few days of my life. I have met more incredible, and loving people than I have experienced in my past 21 years of life. I arrived at the Kisumu airport and was picked up by Tim, director of the service learning center at Western, and Emmanuel, who I would be living with. In Kenya, you greet people by shaking their hands and touching either side of their cheek with your cheek.

We headed to a large, Fred Meyer-like grocery store to collect water for me and some other supplies. Tim had brought the bus that was taking the Western students around, and we rode on this to the village of Kochia where I am staying. The ride was bumpy - the roads are mostly dirt with large potholes. Out my window I was seeing people whizzing by on piki-pikis (motorcycles) and many people pointing at the bus and yelling Mzungu - white person.

The ride to Kochia was about an hour or so, and when we turned into our final destination there was a group of singing students that were there to greet us. There are 130 students in grades 1-5 in this school, which Emmanuel and Sylvia started. Sylvia greeted me and told me Welcome Home, as I was introduced to many other people. They took me to my new home, which is beautiful and very comfortable. They had the walls re-painted with animals and I have my own room with a bunk bed and shelves for my things. I was told by Tim and Liz (sociology professor at Western) that they had done many things to the house to get it ready for me - like build a very solid outdoor latrine and shower
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The people in this village are absolutely incredible. I am greeted everywhere I go, and it is not uncommon to have many small children grab my hands and play with my jewelry as I walk by. They all are fascinated with my tattoo, and people have attempted to rub it off my arm. I have never felt more welcomed, or loved anywhere in the world.

There was a going away/welcoming party at the ABBA school the day that I arrived.  I headed there after a short nap.  Live music and the yells from small children greeted me.  I instantly had two kids grab my hands.  We danced and laughed, and when I was tired I sat on a small bench with a tiny girl sitting on my lap. I met the Western students who had been here for a month, and they all told me how jealous they were that I got to stay here. The dancing and partying lasted until it was dark, and I headed up to where the Western students were staying for dinner. 

The first night in Kenya was magical.  Sylvia tucked the mosquito netting around me while I craweld into the bottom bunk.  Chickens, dogs, and cricket sounds filled the night air, as I sweated under my blankets.  I was a bit restless, but finally was able to fall into a deep and dream filled sleep.

On Thursday I got to meet the girls at the Ombogo school.  This is a different, private school than ABBA and the Western students have spent a lot of time here.  It's equivalent to our high school, and is a boarding school.  I was introduced and instantly had many new friends.  The girls all played with my hair and we sat arm in arm as I asked them what they were studying and what they would like to be.  They had an assembly to say goodbye to the Western students, and there were many tears.  I hope to spend a lot of time here, because the girls are absolutely incredible and close to my age.

Yesterday I rode my first piki piki out with Sylvia to another CBO that they are partnering with. It is a much easier way to travel because you can avoid the pot holes better than cars can.  It felt amazing to have the wind blowing past me, because it is significantly hotter over here! There is a Dutch man who has started an NGO and is helping them with organic farming. They're growing pineapple, pomegranites, and many other fruits. I took many pictures here, but my internet connection is a bit slow and I'm afraid I will be unable to upload them. I will keep trying, because I cannot put into words what this place looks like.  They are all very interested in meeting my parents and hearing about the organic farming they do. It is truly the most beautiful place I have ever been, and riding on the back of a piki piki is so fun!

There is too much for me to tell all of you, and I'm sure slowly by slowly it will be told. If you ever, ever have the chance to visit this place, you must.