May 3rd, 2010
5:00 AM (Nairobi)
12:00 PM (Toronto)
Waking up early isn’t a surprise anymore. Either my internal clock has permanently set to an early bird configuration, or jetlag is still cursing me. It was a blessing in disguise though, as it was a perfect time to go take some night shots of the complex.
As I was creeping around the orphanage with my photography equipment, I noticed that there was a lack of mosquitoes flying around. I guess the high elevation of where I am helps with that. Before I left, I made the mistake of researching some African diseases in case if I got sick. Some were downright terrifying, like Riverside Blindness; where one completely loses their sight, permanently in some cases, from a single bite of an infected mosquito. Other diseases were common, like malaria and influenza. But one that stood out and haunts my dreams to this day is Ebola. Apparently, if you get bitten by a mosquito infected with the Ebola bacteria, you can die within 24 hours. Medical experts aren’t sure where the victims contract the disease because it kills too quickly. Kenya happens to be east of Uganda, where most of the cases occur. Thanks Wikipedia… thanks.
At one point, I think I may have been perceived to be a burglar to a girl who was unlocking the main door. I was squatting in a dark corner, trying to get a cool shot of the contrast of street light on stone masonry, when I heard a gasp. I looked in the direction where the sound came from, and an adolescent girl started running back towards the main building. I didn’t hesitate to inform her who I am, because quite frankly, I didn’t want to spend my first day at the orphanage in a Kenyan prison.
5:55 AM
Decided to have a nice, warm shower as a way to start my first day.
5:56 AM
I now know what it’s like to shower in Arctic water. I think the hairs on my arms will never go back down.
6:21 AM
As I was eating my breakfast and drinking some tea, Winnie arrived and said to me “Haburni Asiburni” which either means good morning or put on a shirt.
10:24 AM
When I arrived yesterday, Winnie referred to Alex and I as her sons. I didn’t take it literally, figuring it’s just what Kenyans call guests in their homes. But no, Winnie actually treats us as if we were her offspring. In fact, she makes our meals, cleans the kitchen and the family room, and even wakes Kent up when 10 O’Clock comes around. Her mothering was so good that I actually considered buying her a mother’s day card.
11:00 AM
Kent and Alex finally got ready. Today’s plan was to tour the complex and help in the class room.
The complex is actually pretty big. The accommodation is split into two wings. One wing is where all the boys sleep, and the other is, as you probably assumed, where the girls sleep. Each room has about 20 beds, and each room has the same age group. In total, about 40 kids sleep overnight.
The ground floor has the grand hall, where a pile of 12 foot rusted rebar’s lay, and a kitchen. Next to the orphanage is a wood shop, the elementary school (which turns into the church on Sundays), an office, and a high school. It’s like a miniature community.
11:32 AM
The classroom had about 15 kids and 2 teachers. Although it seemed like a good ratio, there was a serious lack of resources. One boy with a scar on his cheek, named Brian, was using a pencil sharpened down to its last inch of wood. Situated around the classroom were barely legible Bristol boards which depicted shapes, colours, numbers, and letters. I picked up one science textbook that looked like it has been through a tropical hurricane, and noticed it was published in 1988. I wonder if they still think Pluto is a planet.
The children were learning how to write numbers. I sat down next to Simon (“snotty nose”) and noticed he was having some trouble writing 3’s properly. Instead of writing 3 the right way, he either wrote it as if it was a zero, upside down, or like the letter ‘m’. I helped him for a solid 20 minutes and got nowhere. Simon couldn’t grasp the concept of writing three the proper way, even if I wrote them down slowly in front of him. Teaching requires patience… too much patience.
Suddenly I remembered how I learned how to write letters and numbers properly. When I was little, my mom used to dot the shape of the letter and my mission was to connect the dots. After doing this for months, I finally could write my name without the assistance of scattered dots. Using this strategy, I dotted an entire column of 3’s for Simon to practice. New goal: get Simon to write a 3 properly before the month is over.
12:45 PM
Kent, Alex and I went back to the apartment and had lunch. The plate contained rice, cabbage, beans, and more rice. Kent told us that meat is a treat, and we probably will only get it twice a week. Great, I’m going to weigh as much as a feather by June.
1:02 PM
We went outside and played with the kids at the park. Unlike schools in Canada, the kids get three 1 hour breaks in a day. Considering they’re in class from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, they probably need those long breaks.
I spent most of the break lifting kids up in the air and pushing them on the swing (this time, I made a strict line policy to avoid any more swing-child collisions). I got tired within 15 minutes.
6:51 PM
The majority of the afternoon was spent teaching Simon how to write a proper 3, and learning how to dance properly. Kenyans love to dance and my dancing skills are something you would see on what not to do in most dancing demonstrations. It’s a bad equation that results in humiliation.
Dinner was rice, carrots, pita bread, beans, and more rice. After dinner, I asked Kent if I could borrow any throw-a-way razors he had. The scruff that was growing on my face was beginning to make me look like a pirate. Luckily, his old Canadian roommate left 2 razors and shaving cream.
List of Thing’s I Forgot
- 1. Camera Charger
- 30 days worth of Socks
- 3. Shaver
- Enough money
8:21 PM
Like a bolt from the blue, it started torrential down pouring outside. Within minutes, water started leaking through the bottom of the door, slowly submerging the entire family room. I ran into Kent’s room to warm him about the miniature tidal wave that was slowly making its way to his room, to find him laying down, watching Step Brothers. My warming proved to be ineffective. Kent just laughed and said the flooding happens every major storm, and just make sure none of your clothes are on the ground in the family room. I asked him if I should worry about my clothes on the ground in my room, but he just shrugged. ‘Nonchalantancy’ seems to be his philosophy.
8:42 PM
Power went out in the entire complex. Kent didn’t act surprised when it happened. He said it happens pretty often, and at one point, it went 2 days without power. Hakuna Matata, he yawned.
9:00 PM
If this water keeps flooding in here, I might sleep in wet sheets for the first time since kindergarten.
