Bikes and bikes part 2.

Since we've been staying at KACH, we don't make the commute from Makutano to Kithoka on our bikes.  We've been enjoying the time we get to spend with the "fortunate" few who moved into KACH but in the last few days.  I've been thinking a lot about Makutano's main intersection kids, the ones who still sleep on the street every night.  A lot of people have given up on chokoras because they are "too hard to rehabilitate".  To be honest, I know I don't have what it takes to truly help them myself.. or is it courage I'm lacking?

We've heard about how a lots of them escape homes like KACH to go back to the streets... too addicted to glue or simply unable to integrate with other kids their age.  In the street, they have their own world, their own rules, I assume they find some level of comfort there.

Lisa talked to Simon (who looks after the garden at KACH) about starting gardens in Makutano, where the street kids would work and eat from.  Everyone is exited about the idea but more thinking needs to be done before it becomes reality.

Funny how our encounters with the chokoras was the part we dreaded most about our bike ride home.  By the end of the trip, it was the part we were looking forward to.  As we approached the main intersection, we'd wait to see little barefoot people running out of alleys, screaming "Mike!  ..JP!".  We'd nod and invite them to follow us if we had food, a couple would jump on our bike racks, we would  go around the corner and pull over at the next gas station's parking lot, step back while they eat, share food with each other, fight a bit, yell a bit, throw rocks at bigger kids coming to steal from them...  Watching them eat was like watching the animal channel.  But once the food was all gone, there was no more reason for them to hurry or to be on their guards.  That's when we could enjoy a bit of time with them, learn a few more swahili words, learn about where they are from, how they got there, share smiles and laughs..  (they always got a kick out of our ki-swahili and ki-meru lines, and how hairy our legs are...!)

Statistics say that by the time they are 20, most of these kids will be dangerous criminals.  Desperate to belong, kids who are left on their own are more prone to be  pulled in the wrong direction.  As I'm about to go back to Canada, I can't help wondering what will happen to Kevin, Lino, Patrick, Emmanuel, Bundy, Tony, Francis and the rest of the crew we met this year..  When will I find the courage do something about it..?

Tina.

Tina Fleishman is a psychologist from Vail.  She came in just a few days ago to spend some time with the kids.  Some of the things she will discuss with them are peace, group dynamics, the concept of family, cooperation, character education and values.  It's so great to have her around.

Smiles

We keep telling ourselves that, even though we came here to work for the children, we don't need to be able to see them or have any kind of interaction with them..  We like to think that we can be self-less enough to just do our work without meeting with the people it will affect.  But the truth is, all these thoughts go out the window the moment we get to see the kids or the people who will be working at KACH.  I can't explain how happy it makes me when I see them smile.  Today we put work aside to go play with everyone and enjoy some of these smiles.  That's our real pay off.  If I had to, I would do 10 times the amount of work I did here just to see one of these smiles.

Anyone who helped along the way, These pictures are dedicated to you,

Enjoy.

Clinic.

We took the kids to a free medical clinic set up by the Kenya Red Cross.  They are in fairly good shape, some we showing signs of malnutrition, most of them got de-warmer medication and they all handled going to the doc like champs!

When we got back home it was arts and crafts time..

First morning at KACH!

Some of the kids got up at 6:30 to do their chores (make their beds, clean the floors and bathrooms).  Before breakfast, we did a morning workout with Dolphine, our dance instructor!  Lots of laughs...

The kids are in!

Today is extremely hard to describe with words...  and I don't think pictures can do it either... 

We went and picked up the first kids who will be staying at KACH.  Some seemed extremely excited about going (mostly the ones who had no real home and/or the ones who already knew Karambu, Mikey or myself) some of them seemed scared and a little confused.  KACH is such a great concept to me that I forgot about how, no matter how gentle the transition may be, moving to a new house with new faces can be difficult and scary.  As we drove through the Meru district, stopping at different boarding schools and houses, I became progressively more anxious to see how well the kids were going to adjust to their new surroundings..

As they moved in, they all seemed super happy and comfortable with each other!  Mikey, Karambu and I spent the night at KACH with them.  As I was laying in bed, I felt like I had to pinch myself to realize where I was and what was going on.  I kept telling myself: "I can't beleive I'm laying down on a bed in KACH right now!  The kids are here, they have a home, a new family and they seem happy!  Their new life starts right now!!"

I can't wait to see alice smile!!

Looking for Nora and Mercy was kind of like "where's waldo"

Faith and Patrick's father past away two weeks ago.

Their mom had been gone for a few years and they were now living

with their grand parents, who were having a hard time providing

for them.  All the kids moving in today have their stories..

most of the stories are not pretty..

Linet was picked up on the road by a lady who lived with her

110 year old mother.  She stayed with them for a few months

while KACH was being built.  As Linet was leaving them today,

the old lady grabbed her hand and gave her some advice about

boys, about being herself, making choices etc... Very powerfull..

"Welcome package"; toothbrushes, soaps, cups, towels, home made quilt

and  beanie babies!

Playing games to break the ice.

Taking a tour of the place with Karambu.

Dennis was so excited to move in that he forgot to pack half his things!

Ethically Engaged Youth

In June, right before we showed up, a group of students from the Vail Mountain School came to Meru to build a chicken/goat/rabbit pen for KACH.  Mikey and I heard lots about their trip from the Meru community and wanted to say:

Dear Ethically Engaged Youth of Vail Mountain School,

The housing structure for the goats, chickens and rabbits looks incredible! It definitely added to the shock factor of not seeing the KACH site since October, and now we are able to see something from our crayon drawn plan come to be. I have heard stories of the work that took place while you were here and I chuckle as I am sure you now know exactly what I was trying to explain to you at VMS back in April. The first six chickens just moved in the other day, and I can't wait to see the completed picture with chickens, goats, and rabbits. It has  been great to hear about how much fun it was for all the workers to have you around for 10 days. They tell us that there was an energy and excitement everyday that really impacted and motivated everyone on the site. Bernard asks my mom everytime he sees her, "Michele, What have you done with my students?" 

One thing that I have learned is the impact we have on the locals through the work we do. You all have definitely left this mark behind, as the workers are still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that a group of students came all the way from America to help remove old nails from scrap wood, and with such enthusiasm and conviction.  In their eyes you gave them dignity in their work; you gave it a meaning that it previously lacked; you inspired them to take pride in what they were doing and helped define what KACH is really about.  For this I applaud you!

We are also staying with Auntie Kathy and Juju Anna and the overall effect you had here is the same. There isn't a dinner that goes by without a mentioning of the VMS students and how fun, polite, interesting and intriguing they were. Actually we have heard the same message from just about everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with you. I feel a tinge of pride every time I hear about the Students from Vail, as I know we come from the same place and am honored to have worked on the same project as you.

I want to say Asante Sana Sana for the incredible work that you did as the impact that you left behind has rippled through to help open eyes and touch hearts. I am sure that Meru had a similar effect on you. It is the showing up and doing like you did that truly inspires those who lay witness. You provided much more than food for the beautiful children who will call KACH home. 

Amani,

Mikey Hovey

Hello Vail Mountain School crew,

Mikey pretty much summed it up but I wanted to add a few words and tip my hat to you as well!  The goat/chicken/rabbit pen looks awesome and I really enjoyed hearing all the stories about your visit in Meru as well.  One of my favorite story is about how some of the workers were rolling their eyes when they first saw the girls trying to pull nails out of the old boards, and how these 16 year old girls learned, gained confidence and were working just as well as any of the guys on the job site  ...and impressing the heck out of them!

I wish I had the guts to do something like that when I was your age (such a cliche thing to say..! but it's true).  I know you had to go out of your comfort zone to come all the way to Meru so that you can help the Kithoka community and that's no small thing..!  Bravo!  The veggies you planted are looking good too, Simon insisted I included some pics of that as well.  Bernard says hello!

JP Auclair.

PS; The pen is also one of my favorite spot to hang out at, later in the day when the work is done.