When We Last Left Our World Traveler…

I was begging for a quick and painless death. Now I feel much better, and the real fun has started! Turns out I had altitude sickness, pretty much feels like your body is going to explode.

Anyway, after I stopped feeling sorry for myself I started going to study hall with the girls at night. They are SO smart, it is hard to find ways to help them! Most of them asked for help in math to which I had to say “Sorry, I’m totally useless.” I was able to help them a little with physics, and let them teach me math.
Friday night the girls put on a play called “Hope” I would love to post the video, but I’m not sure if this terrible internet connection will allow that! The play was about a girl who went off to secondary school (high school) and became pregnant after spending the night with a “sugar daddy” hahaha. The girls were great – so much energy!
Saturday Jason and Jenny’s friends from home arrived (Kelly and Anthony). They are both teachers in Brooklyn, and the girls were happy to learn that Kelly is a math teacher! Saturday I had my first two CPR classes. I was really nervous, so I went armed with my Swahili dictionary (thanks SJ) and a prayer that they wouldn’t hate me!
THEY WERE AMAZING! When I asked who wanted to be a nurse or a doctor, 23 of the 26 girls raised their hands. I talked for a little while about my experience, and then started in on the good stuff. They know all about the human body from Biology, but I needed to explain so of the English terminology (Cardio, Pulmonary, Belly Button!) During the first class we went through Adult CPR and Choking and they TOTALLY got it.
Saturday night was Carr’s last night here (another volunteer who is a theater major from USD) so we had a little party at Jason and Jenny’s. Before the party started we needed to go into Naibo (a SMALL “town” just 5 minutes from the school) and we picked up some soda for me ☺ On the drive in we were lucky enough to see some Baboon, they are so cute! When we got there, it was pretty obvious that they weren’t used to having many white people randomly stopping by. But this is where I had my first real AFRICA experience. There was a little boy, maybe 2, standing next to our car while I waited for Jason. I knelt down to his level and stuck out my hand. “High five?” but he looked scared. His sister, however, came running up and slapped my hand. Within minutes I had at least 15 children slapping my hand and giggling when I pulled it back saying “TOO SLOW!” they were amazing. The girls grabbed my hands and stared at my blue nail polish screaming “CUTEX!!!” which is apparently what they call it. Let me tell you, I could leave Africa after that and be totally content!
Sunday I had two more CPR classes. But first, Jason suggested I sit in on the girls “Spiritual Readings”. This is pretty much a student lead church service. WOW! These girls are pretty fired up about God! They sang and danced and read from the Bible, I was blown away. After, I prepared for my CPR class and brought along a little surprise that my mom had sent me with. CUTEX! I finished up Child and Infant CPR and choking, then told them I had a surprise. I explained that my mom had sent this with me, and hoped that they would use it to relax and enjoy themselves. They were so excited! Each girl picked her own bottle, and they were painting their nails within minutes!
Other news: Saturday I went for a hike and found a newborn baby lamb! He is all black and Jason and I named him Doc after our grandfather. Later that day I was walking up to Jason and Jenny’s when I saw their dog eating a baby lamb. No worries, it wasn’t Doc! I walk home in the dark (with a flashlight) by myself most nights. It is about a five-ten minute walk through the woods, which would normally terrify me. But here in Kenya, I am totally aware and humbled by this fact. If there was an animal lurking in the trees, there is really not much I could do if it wanted to attack me. This might seem morbid, but to me it is reassuring! I am totally at the mercy of Mother Africa.
This morning I woke up early to try to make it in time for flag. Monday mornings the “rangers” (like girl scouts) put up the flag and sing the national anthem. It was really nice. Today we are in Nanyuki, enjoying chocolate croissants and bottles of Coke, and obviously internet! The girls have finals this week and next, and I will be continuing CPR classes as well as first aid for those who want it. Later in the week I should be holding a class for the staff, though some don’t speak English so that should be interesting…