Trying to figure out what to write after being here a whole month! So much has happened that I’ll have to start writing a book. Our house in Gilgil is coming along very nicely. Our boy, Samuwel, has graduated from Motorcycle training and now runs the shop while the owner is gone. His brother is a carpenter and has been making our furniture. So far – four sets of bunk-beds, one full size bed, coffee table, stools, two daybeds (to act as couches), bookshelf, kitchen table & shelves for the kitchen. All for under $800! Susan and I haunt the matumba (flea) street markets and have collected bedding and curtains for almost nothing along with clothes for the kids.
The children started coming the first day of arrival and there haven’t been many days that at least one doesn’t pop in. We’ve had three of the kids stay the night already and they love having Susan and me to themselves. One of our boys (David 17) had to go to the hospital with cracked ribs-he came to stay with us for three days. He was such a good patient! Then Grace had a three day break in her hairdressing course and wanted to stay. Again it was a good chance to visit and find out more about them. Grace is excelling in her course and a couple weeks ago proudly showed us around the school and met her teachers who were raving about her performance in class. She has blossomed before our eyes. Then Titus (17) called and wanted to come for the night. We were a bit surprised as he has been getting in trouble and we couldn’t figure out why he wanted to stay with to Mommas. He just wanted to be with us! Imaging that. Both of his parents are dead and he lives with Grannie and assorted other family. He loved being special for a night… chicken stew instead of ugali (corn porridge) and beans, good light to study by, a hot shower and a clean bunk to crawl into. The next morning – eggs, toast and fruit instead of chai. He was a delight.
The kids are all doing so well…. Happy, talking and thriving. We often meet some of the kids for lunch either at our house or a small place close to their school just to spend time with them and make sure they have gotten fed that day. The last two weeks we have been checking on the Grannies. We’ve visited 15 so far and bring food. Most are doing amazingly well because of the extra food. A lot of the Grannies make beautiful woven baskets that I bought and plan to bring home. These Grannies really need our support. One is the Mother of 15 children. She lost seven children to AIDS and was left with 21 Grandchildren to raise by herself! Her other eight children are too stressed with their own lives to come help or even check on her. She has nine grandchildren still living at home and one is in our program named Joyce Njeri. She is a good Cucu (Grannie-pronounced Sho-sho). A good strong character and has a great sense of humor… but then I guess you’d need one to survive.
Life is good… Thank you for all your support in helping these beautiful children and their amazing Cucus!
Susanne
