week so far

It has been a busy week.

On Monday, we began "classes" at our make-shift school. Each of the kids got their own notebook to put their name on. They seemed very happy to have something that was theirs.

The children also came up with a name for the school right away ; Gioto Sunrise Academy. I made them a sign the next day. We began with ABC's and some objects that began with each letter.

Tuesday, we did a shapes and colours lesson, but the kids were more interested in crawling all over us. Even so, we were able to see that a few of the kids were learning the lesson. Next, we brought some books out to read with the kids. Kyle read one about science, and I read a fairy tale. The small groups gather around us to listen to the story, but it is hard to pay attention in a classroom with no walls separating the groups, or even walls to isolate them from the distraction of the trucks at the garbage dump.

Our classroom.

Wednesday was Outreach. This is a program that Fadhili runs so that volunteers from some of the other projects in Kenya can see some of the rural area's projects. Most of the volunteers came in from Nairobi based projects. They went to an IDP camp, which is a camp of internally displaced persons. They live in a government camp because the violence that followed the 2007 elections forced them out of their homes. Many of them lost all of their possessions, and their houses were burned. Next, them came to Nakuru, where we are. They came to the garbage slum and we explained the situation here. We took them to see some of the houses that the people make out of garbage, and they had time to meet some of the kids and play. This was a good day for the families and kids because outreach brings flour, cornmeal, and biscuits for the kids.

Outreach

Thursday, was a tough day. Some of the children were fighting with each other. Sometimes we feel like we aren't doing much to help their situation here. The best way to help them is to get them out of the slum. Sending the children to boarding school gives them an education, and allows them to sleep in a bed every night and eat 3 meals a day. The guardians of the children need help too, they need to be able to make money and support themselves. There is a project underway that will hopefully achieve that. Many of the women in the slum make bags out of recycled plastics. Another volunteer is working with Pastor Antony and his wife, Ann to sell the bags in New York. During outreach they were able to sell about a dozen. We hope that this project is successful.


We are off to Nairobi this weekend, for some rest, relaxation, and hopefully to see an old friend. Not that you are old Matt. :) We also will be seeing some wildlife, so come back to check out pictures of that!

peace.