Term 3

It is hard to believe that my third term as a teacher in my first year is now complete. Of course teaching is a new experience for me. There were definitely moments when I was not sure if I would survive. What about the 7 weeks of teaching social studies where I dreaded going into class. When maps was the only thing I covered; I knew the kids were tired of it and I was too. Finally I found something that worked, what a break through. I would summarize the material I was to cover and right it on the board. As a class we would sign and resign the text. Two students would then come up to sign up as well. Once I thought the kids had an “idea” of what was written on the board I would give them questions to answers. After nearly 3 months did their cob webs of reading comprehension skills begin to be improve and gradually relevant answers would be given; unfortunately only from 2-3 kids. This was a great feeling. When the culture and the normality of the situation is to copy from the board; to make them think and reason for themselves, even though very minimally, it is gratifying.

Or what about the first time I was asked to give a speech because I was the welcomed visitor at my school in the staff room. Public speaking is not something I relish, but I try to force myself to act strong. As I muddled through a very brief self introduction I was thinking about just getting through. Because it is culturally accepted for visitors to say a few words I knew that I would have to get used to this practice. Since then I have talked at a Boy/Girl Scout meeting outside my school, deputies church, another church I have attended, Peace Corps meetings, closing day ceremonies at school, and the vast number of other occasions. My comfort level has grown. Or what about teaching hiv/aids to class 8. Not only was the material something I was not keen on or the fact that I was teaching class 8. Transitioning from little kids to the big kids on the block. Their signing and comprehension were so advanced than from those I taught befdore.

The second and third term I taught Kenyan Sign Language. I felt somewhat comfortable but not nearly at ease. It is one thing to teach a subject that is new to both the kids and the teacher ie math, social studies, pe etc. It is entirely different if the subject is the mother tongue of the student. Teaching KSL was a definite struggle, but I am glad I endured. I do think I learned more than I taught.

Nairobi Marathon

I continually find myself doing something that i have said on numerous occasions that I don't enjoy doing, running. Yet again this time I find myself running in a 10km race in Nairobi. What I do enjoy, which i guess cancels out the running part, are a few things. For one, I like competition. Second, I like to visit different places. Third, I like the experience of the swarms of people all running/walking in one direction.

I had registered to run a month ago, which is the same time I started training for the race. Outside the gate of the school is a football pitch that every morning I would will myself out of bed to run several laps. Initially I was training with a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, who teaches at a nearby school, and a fellow teacher at the deaf school. As the weeks passed they slowly became infrequent for the morning runs and thus my motivation for longer distances became harder to convince myself to do.

Halloween eve/Reformation day eve 15,000 people have gathered in downtown Nairobi for the marathon. There were full and half marathon runners, 10km and a family run. My initial plan was doing the half marathon, but later changed to a 10km. Something new to me was the timing chip, it was no longer to be clipped onto the shoe, but it was taped behind the race number that you wear. I am not sure which way is better. The results will be published soon, so we will see. Unfortunately when i registered i neglected to look at my race number to see if I had a timing chip, so my name will not be published on the web/newspaper.

Normally when running in a race like this people dress up in costumes to be seen. This day was know different. A group of people were carrying an inflatable water raft while running and would sing. 1-2-3-4- 1-2-3-4 "We will not quit." It was amazing that they ran nearly the whole 10km caring this raft.

The race started just outside of Nyayo stadium in Nairobi. The 10km runners finished outside while the 1/2 marathon and full marathon finished inside the stadium. I got a glimpse of the marathon runners before I set off, WOW. They are fast.

Two Worlds Collide

It has been a month and more since my last entry. 31st July to 7th August was a mandated travel ban put on my Peace Corps due to the possible unrest that may have occured during the voting of the referendum on August 4th. We were informed that we could spend the time at another volunteer’s site. Along with 5 others I stayed in Lamu. We stayed at a school of a fellow volunteer. For a short time we visited Lamu Island. There was a lot of relaxing and reading books.

From Lamu I took a motor boat to another island for a flight to Nairobi to meet Mark who arrived that morning. The airstrip felt like an open pasture with paved runway. We spent the night at Milimani Backpackers in Nairobi. It was a hostel, right near town. We took a matatu from town to Kisumu 8 hours away. Then we transfered to another one to my site in Mumias. I could tell Mark was not thrilled about the long matatu ride. Sitting in a cramped seat for a long time does not feel good.

We spent 2 days and 3 nights in Mumias. We took a walk around town and met some of my friends at the local dukas (shops). On the evening of the 9th, the vocational girls at the school assisted mark and I by slaughtering a kuku (hen) for dinner. The girls did all of the work, we just watched as they cut off the head, drain the blood, plucked the feathers, cut it into pieces and fried it in a fry pan over a jiko. Tasted wonderful.

The next day we traveled to Kakamega, (45 minutes away) to watch the National competition for cultural and dance for secondary schools. Their were schools that dressed up in cultural/village attire for dance and song. It was a good experience, though we did not stay there very long.

We spent our last night at my house before taking a comfortable bus ride to Nairobi the next morning. We arrived in the afternoon and went straight to the hostel. The next morning we were picked up by Jocky Tours to take us to Amboseli National Reserve. On our way we stopped by Kenyan Wildlife Service to pickup our entry pass into the park. We arrived a little before lunch at the lodge. We had lunch then headed out for the afternoon safari ride. We saw: elephant, giraffe, cheetah, lion, hippopotamus, wildebeest, gazelles, zebra, and buffalo. Every year between July and September is the Wildebeest migration from Tanzania and western Kenya to the southern part of Kenya. The zebras also accompany the wildebeest on their migration. We left early in the morning on Friday for a game ride before heading to Loitokitok. Mark and I felt as we were being driven around to go look for animals the second day, the excitement had gone. We had seen so many animals the first day, it was old news. The primary focus this day was getting good pictures of giraffes. When we were heading to the exit, there was a heard right in front of us. They are incredible creatures. All in all it was a good time looking for the animals. I recommend it. I think next August I want to see the wildebeest migration in August.

Elephant

Zebra

Giraffe

This sign was at our lodge at Amboseli National Reserve

Mark and I standing ontop of a lookout point at Amboseli National Reserve

Wildebeest

Dhow on Lamu island

Feeding the girafe, while being kissed at the girafe center in Nairobi.

Mark and I relaxing from our dhow trip while we wait on our food being prepared.

For several days we were staying with my host family that I lived with during my pre service training nov-dec 2009. It was rally good to see the family. On Sunday we were asked to join in their massive feast along with 50 other guest. Yes, we were having mbuzi (goat). Mark got the pleasure of seeing the slaughter and skinning.

We then took a bus ride to Mombassa to spend the night before heading to Lamu. Ramadan was occurring therefore for about 30 days most shops are closed all day and only opened at night. We stayed at a lodge directly across from a mosque where the calls to prayer were very loud all night and thus hard to sleep.

We took a 7 hour bus ride to Lamu. The last 3.5 hours were on dirt, uneven roads. This section of the bus ride felt like 7 hours. There were frequent check points by the police. Normally they are looking at the registration of the bus via a sticker on the window and various other things. By the bus driver giving the officer a newspaper, there was no inspection. I remember looking over one time and noticing that the officer already had a paper when he accepted another from our bus driver.

Lamu is an island so we had to take a jetty from the mainland to the island. Wow, there were so many people on this boat. I am thinking around 30 plus cargo and goats. We arrived without sinking. Upon arrival there were a sworm of natives wanting us to follow them to a place to stay that they had selected. There was also the other bunch of people that were trying to haggle/harass you into going on their dhow trip. I am used to the behavior of Kenyans, but it was apparent Mark was perturbed. Koreans don’t mess with you, they just leave you alone. For 2 nights and 3 days we wandered around the island doing whatever suited our fancy. We took a walking tour of the island based on the information from The Lonely Planet travel book. When we were walking around with the book in hand, a kenyan stopped us and said to look at so and so page, my business is in there. They are used to their tourist and know their tour books.

Dhow trip. A dhow is a wooden boat with a canvas mast. There is a captain and a helper. The weather was very windy and thus the waves made the boat ride an adventure. They had to constantly change the direction of the mast to keep us going. We were leaning way left, then way right. It definitely was not a relaxing float in the ocean. I was glad when we stopped to fish. Mark was the lone recipient of a fish. The captain caught a few, but I was having no luck. Once on shore the two men fixed us lunch. They grilled the fish we caught plus the “just incase we did not catch any fish ” (fish he bought in town before sailing off), stew, fruit and rice. It was very satisfying.

We flew back to Nairobi from Lamu in what looked and felt like a paper airplane. There were 12 seats crammed close together. Small airplanes I suppose are not designed for comfort, this was no different. Taking off from the runway felt the same as climbing the first part of a roller coaster. In no way did it give you the feeling that this was going to be smooth ride. There was no separation from the passengers and the pilot. We landed safe and sound. Our next day we visited the Giraffe center. It is known for giving visitors the opportunity to be kissed by the giraffe. He had a long, slimy tongue. I wanted to experience the slobber, but Mark was content taking pictures.

Saying goodbye was tough, but it was nice seeing him for a short while. Hopefully we can do it again sometime in the future.

Rafting the Nile

End of Term 2 Year One

It has been a few weeks and some things are consistent. For one, on two occasions I was assigned to go invigilate exams at neighboring schools with a few fellow teachers. My school I would consider to be “more modern” and near the city. When I mention that my school is more modern I am making reference to the fact we have running water from taps, though sometimes it runs dry, electricity most of the time and a big school campus. These past two schools that I went to invigilate were in the village. It is hard to describe; pictures will do a better job.

The image on the left is the first school i invigilated with 2 other teachers. When i first arrived i thought that the students had on dance outfits and were going to perform, but later realized that is their normal attire. We sat outside under a tree and marked papers. We were there for 2 days. The school on the right was much larger than the previous one. There were 6 teachers that went to invigilate. Each teacher was assigned a classroom and thus we were responsible for marking those students. We had desks that were outside the classroom that we sat at to mark and wait while the students took their test. We were here for 3 days.

The KCPE is very important in life of the class 8 student. This is the final exam that the class 8 students take in hopes in getting good enough marks to be accepted to secondary schools. Most if not all schools have mock exams through out the in preparation for the final in November. As you probably guessed when there is exams teaching new material is not taking place. I really don't see how they keep up the pace and the kids retain the information.

Invigilation is an all day affair; arrive at 8:30 till 4 p.m.. The hosting school provides tea and lunch. Tea consists of tea and bread with blue band butter. Lunch is the Kenya staple: Ugali, skuma wiki (kale) and beef. I realize again and again that there is Mazungu (white person) affect. All of a sudden not only myself but the entire crew of invigilators are treated like kings because I showed up. Tea and bread turns to tea,bread, eggs, and ground nuts. Lunch becomes stew potatoes, rice, skuma wiki, roasted and boiled meat. As a departing “thanks” they would give us soda and biscuits (crackers). When we all return to the school all of the teachers ask if we got the fine treatment. Apparently a big reason for the special treatment is somewhere in their brain, they equate the white man as a “walking ATM.” My teachers realize this, but they are not going to turn down good food.

I mentioned in my previous entry about my struggle with sanity and the whole nine yards about being here in Kenya. I can say that I am doing a lot better. I had a welcoming and grateful call from my parents and a lot of down time from the end of term. Although I have only been at site for almost 7 months; I am grasping why it is that Peace Corps is the hardest things you will ever love. On those occurrences that make me appreciate why I am here. For one, my class four students have wanted me to come to their class every evening and practice math with them. When students want you there it is a wonderful feeling. It also helps substantially that my brother is visiting in just a few days. Oh what a wonderful two weeks that will be! I gather from what I have learned from other PCVs that this is a hard job being a volunteer.

This past Friday I went to a overnight funeral for a fellow teachers father who passed away. I was curious what this would entail so I joined about 10 others to the deceased residence. We left the school at 9pm in two vehicles. Upon arriving from the 30 minute bumpy car ride I noticed there were rows of chairs neatly arranged in front of the head table; this head table was for the “DJ.” He had a tv on top which was playing kenya music videos, most of which were spirituals. Before going I was informed that there would be lots of dancing and drinking. When I was looking around I noticed no one was dancing and all were just sitting down watching the music video. There were few people sitting around a camp fire. It was nippy. We were in the village. No power or running water. The electricity was pumped through a generator that was rented for this occasion.

We were first taken to see the recently deceased Mzee (older gentlemen). He was in his casket inside his house. All the while there were numerous spiritual songs being sung as we paid our last respects. We finished and returned back to watching the music videos.

Off to the side a few men were busy digging the grave for the Mzee in front of the house. (The head of the house is buried infront of the house while the wife is buried on one side of the house. If an adult dies without marrying they are buried behind the house). The grave was 6 feet deep with brick and mortar lining the wall of the grave.

While sitting watching the video I was enquiring about the masons who were busy digging from my fellow teachers. After they finish preparing the grave all of the workers are given a kuku (hen) with some strong drink. My first question, was only one kuku shared among the workers? The answer was yes. I did not feel like the workers would get that much to eat. I have shared 2 hens among 3 people and I was hungry afterwards. I jokingly told a teacher that the head mason should regulate the number of helpers to get the maximum amount of chicken possible per person.

Soon thereafter we were invited to a neighbor's house for tea and bread. We had our fill and returned to the music videos. Roughly 2 hours later, 12am we were invited to partake in dinner. We had the kenya staple: ugali, skuma and meat.

After returning my teachers and I started dancing to the music being played. I love how there is not judging in regards to dancing. It was getting pretty nippy and thus the campfire helped a great deal.

The whole funeral service last about a week. The pre burial service is less rowdy with few dancing and drinking. Once the person has been placed in the ground then the real party starts. We left at 5am. I only got in one hour of sleep that night.

Before I joined the Peace Corps I was working as a stone mason. This not only included putting designed and colored stone on houses but also laying brick. Since my time here in Kenya I have taken special notice of the brick making and laying process.

There is no brick factory it is all manual labor. The process has several steps and takes several weeks. First, a plot of land is chosen to dig the mud. This only works well if the ground is damp so digging and placing the mud in the brick forms would be effective and efficient. The brick makers only have two tools: hoe and a brick form that the mud goes in. The brick form can only form two at a time. There is a lot of walking back and forth between the digging pit and where the bricks are laid. Second, once all of the digging is done, rotating the bricks takes place. The bricks are placed on the ground and can lose their shape if they stay in one position for a long time. Every day the brick is rotated. All the while there is plastic on top of all of the bricks to prevent moisture/rain from damaging the bricks. Depending on how many bricks one is going to make, the amount of time may vary. Once all of the bricks have been rotated sufficiently, they are then ready to be burned. The bricks are stacked up in a mountain shape with a cavity at the base for putting logs for the burning. Later in the process the cavities are closed and the burning continues for 2-3 days. Once the time is done, slowly the bricks are removed. If any of the bricks need to be burned some more, those bricks are set aside and burned later.

A couple weeks ago I went to a nearby high school to watch provincial soccer competion. For the finals, there were approx 4,000 people lined the perimeter of the football pitch 2-3 deep. It was a really neat site. Before the main event, boys final, the girls played. At the beginning of the game there was a gentlemen standing behind a group of people giving a play by play of the game. He was doing it in his mother tongue. The men then asked him to move in front so they could hear better. As the crowd grew so did this man's popularity. He was then asked to be in the center of roughly 100 people. He found his soap box. What made it even more interesting was he was able to do it in several languages: mother tongue, Swahili, English, SuperSport (a sports tv station). The men around him was trying to get the announcer's attention, but to no avail. He was quite entertaining.

Would you like an escort?

I have not done a good job of keeping my blog updated. There has been a lot that has happened. Well I guess not that much, just watching a lot of world cup soccer. The longer there is between the harder it is to include what I missed.

The sequence of things might be a little out of order since I am aiming for summation. I got a cat about 3 weeks ago. My fellow volunteer that teaches at the secondary school next door told me that a teacher at the school has a contact that wants to give away 2 cats. I was interested in a cat for several reasons.

For one, it would be nice company.

Second, several weeks back I had a visitor in my kitchen. I heard a rustling in the kitchen. Below the sink I keep a plastic bag (Kenyan’s call it a paper bag--don’t know why) for my trash. I noticed that my trash bag was moving, but I did not want to open it up and see what was inside. I had a strong suspicion it was a rat. I grabbed the bag forcefully at the top and went to my room to get my flashlight then headed to the trashpin to through out the “trash.” When the bag landed, I saw the rat scurrying along with the help of my flashlight.

Third, it would help kill/chase away rats.

Last week the house father of one of the boys dorms and the head prefect (pupil boss for the kids) came to my house at night to tell me that there was a rat problem in their dorm. They then preceded to tell me that they wanted to use my cat. I am not sure how this works but I thought the cat should be bigger than the rat. My cat (chui--sounds like chewey--means leopard in Swahili) is only 7 weeks old and 7 inches long. I let them use them use Chui overnight. Early in the morning they bring Chui back with the news that the rat was caught. I did not see the rat, but I still find it hard to believe.

Would you like an escort? My prompt response while at a restaurant having only chai was a resounding NO!! I looked at my friend who was sitting next to me with a strange look, wondering why the waitress was wanting to get me an escort. I had mixed feelings. She then asked again, I replied no thank you. I was not sure what I should have said or should have acted. My friend and I were wondering why she wanted to give us a prostitute. Several days had passed and I was talking with some fellow teachers about various topics. I mentioned about my recent trip to the local hotely for lunch. I then preceded to tell them what the waitress told me and how I was really perturbed. Both of the gentlemen laughed and then I knew something was up. They said that if you just order chai with nothing else the waitress will ask if you want something else to go with your chai. This is referred to as an escort. Only then did it all make sense.

On the teaching front; I love teaching math; ksl is getting better; social studies is quite a struggle; life skills, teaching body change to class 4 and 5 is still a challenge; Physical fitness test in P.E. is enjoyable. I am open for suggestions on teaching puberty to grade 4 and 5. They like looking at pictures, but teaching the material is hard. I am not sure which material to teach. I have a manual from Peace Corps that I am following, but so far class participation is low.

For Maths I have made a “Math :) Chart.” This is a poster I put in the back of the class with all of the kids names. Everytime a pupil does very well on their homework I will draw a smiley face on their paper. Subsequently I will give them a sticker that I have also drawn a smiley face on for them to place on the chart. Also on the chart is multiplication smiley talley for their weekly test. This Friday is x5. For the next two weeks we will be reviewing x2 and x3 then x4 and x5.

Recently I went through a spell (to some degree I am still there) where life here is very hard and wrestling with various things.

I struggle with being alone even though I am surrounded by so many people.

I get frustrated with the religion conversation in the staff room and around town. My comfort of the Bible belt is no longer present. The testing of what I truly believe is challenged every day. The banter is constant; but I feel like I have nothing to say. Is what I know really right?

Where do I fit in?

My mango and banana cobbler is outstanding!

There is only 2 weeks left of class then a week of exams. The school is closing early because we as a school are boarding some schools for the national dance festival which is happening at a nearby high school.

I have been thinking about starting two clubs: bible club and health club. A good friend gave me a bible chronological story cloth that I could easily use to teach and act out bible stories. CRE (Christian Religious Education) is an examinable subject. I feel like the students would benefit greatly by reviewing and acting.

The other idea is a health club. This would be very beneficial in discussing hiv/aids. Sex among primary school kids happens more than I think it does. Not only in my part of the country but throughout Kenya. Even though it is a good idea, explaining this to the deaf kids is such a struggle. I will try and get another teacher on board which might make it easier.

This past weekend a few volunteers including myself went to Kisumu to celebrate the 40th birthday of a fellow volunteer. Our time including taking a boat trip on Lake Victoria to see hippos, eating fresh perch from the lake and relaxing. We ate lakeside. What was interesting about the fish is that you get to pick from the fish they have displayed that you want them to cook.

Term Two and Chickens

School has started. I am excited to be back at school with my students pushing them to think beyond what they are used to. This term two teachers and the head teacher (principal) are teaching at the secondary school next door. This only means one thing, the other teachers get a heavier load. I maintained my same classes from last term: match (class 4), social studies and p.e. (class 5), life skills (class 4 and 5). In addition to those I added one more, Kenyan Sign Language (class 6). I really wanted to teach KSL for several reasons. Mainly it would help my personal signing and thus improve communicating in my other classes more effectively. So far I am enjoyed KSL, but it is similar to teaching english. One small problem, I am not good at English. The syllabus for KSL is basically the same thing for English wit a few minor changes. Teaching the material for two weeks has gone ok; I have a long way to go.

This term I wanted my P.E. Class to take part in a physical fitness test. I remember in middle school taking part in this. My memories were mixed. I liked competition, but I rarely performed very well. I am pushing my kids to perform in: push ups, sit ups, sit and reach and running sprints/shuttle runs (there is another name that could be used).

My goal for math class is by the end of the term I want them to know the multiplication tables 2 - 9. I mulling over ideas of how to best to after this. Initial thoughts were to make a multiplication chart for the wall, and flash cards. If you have other ideas please share.

Recently I hit a wall about my life here in Kenya. It finally felt like the “honeymoon” period is over. The question for me is how I will push forward and be involved and connected with the community here in Mumias. A good portion of the struggle stems from the abundance of down time. I am used to being continually entertained either by t.v., playing sports, spending time with friends or various other things while in the U.S. The kenyan mindset is so different I am reminded time and time again. There is no such thing as “time.” Sitting with friends and sharing life and stories is common and part of the fabric of life here in Kenya. Still this is so hard to get used to, but hopefully as time passes it will become more ingrained in me and not the occasional nuisance.

Well I decided to find out if raising chickens is hereditary. My grandfather and grandmother raised chickens when my mother and uncle were children. This past weekend I went to market and bought myself a hen. I found the one I wanted, I payed and went on my walk toward the house. While I was carrying the hen I realized something was wrong. I was carrying it wrong. Apparently, carrying it like a baby is not right, but rather a football is the proper way. I really don’t know what to expect or do with the hen. (oh I have named her, Midnight). It is a good thing that the kids know and are eager to teach me. For the first three days Midnight should be tied on a tether just outside my house so she knows where to go in the evenings, yep, inside my house. After the three days, I can let her run free throughout the compound. There is a one Rooster that roams around impregnating the females at a rampant pace. I hope he finds Midnight, I want some eggs and baby chickens.

Rain Forest, Rafting the Nile, and Genocide Museum

The heading is just a brief summary of what I did for a few days in April. There is so much that I could write and will fill in the gaps later. For now know that I had a wonderful time experiencing the cultures of Uganda and Rwanda. Rafting down the Nile was exhilarating. Observing the genocide museum and the church outside of town stirred up in me so many emotions. Sadness. That a people group could kill close to 1 million people. Anger. Various countries, including the US did not send aid. Heartbreak. Hearing stories of family members die in front of their eyes. Disbelief. Reading that children were mercilessly killed.

Below are pictures of rafting down the Nile in Jinja, Uganda.

The boat crew. We are hitting the rapids head on.


Our raft being flipped by the class 5 rapids (left). Our guide has his foot caught in the raft. Allen (raft mate) came to his rescue and pulled him aboard. (right)

Provincial and National Games

March seemed like an extremely long month. The last three weeks of the month went really slow. The week of the 14th was review for the exams that followed the next week. The week of the 28th was provincial games in Webuye. What was really good was the meeting with the parents of Deaf parents on the 20th. For one, there were more parents that came and we were able to cover more material. My colleague has been a great help. I am very appreciative of him letting me lead the lessons. I will miss the meeting in April because I will be at the national games in Thika, but will continue in May. The objective in the future is to teach them stories and grammar. Thus in the process they will learn vocabulary.

Provincial Games in Webuye was an exciting time. It was really good to see other hard of hearing/deaf schools come together and compete in games. The games were: athletics, handball, netball, volleyball, and soccer. The games started on the 31st with a parade. There was a 10 person horn and drum band that lead the students from the school to the field where the activities would be held. We walked through the middle of Webuye town for 20 minutes. Webuye is 3 hours north of Mumias. Mumias did outstanding. It feels good to win.

Walking through town reminded me of running the Cooper River Bridge Run. After exiting the bridge the residents of Charleston are standing on their porch or their front lawn cheering on the runners as they pass. Though the people of Webuye did not cheer as we processed through the streets; they did line the streets gazing at the masses of primary school kids walking.

Marching band that lead procession to signify start of the games (far left) Obstacle Course for the young kids (middle) 800 meters race for girls (far right)

National Games was a whole nother animal. The games were originally set for Nyeri, but a few days before the games started it was moved to Thika. My impression was that the fields would be “top notch.” After attending the provincial games where the athletes competed on grass and dirt fields I was hoping things would be different. I was mistaken. Though there was no paved area for handball or netball, I suppose the dirt was sufficient for the kids. I am obviously an outsider, because the kids are so used to playing on dirt and some grass that it was no big deal. I have mentioned before that shoes is a luxury and not a requirement. I am still baffled by how well the kids move on the dirt and rough ground. And did I mention kicking a soccer ball with their bare feet. Ouch!! I can barely walk barefoot on the same terrain, much less kick a hard round ball.

Their are 8 teams for each discipline. The 8 teams comprise the 8 provinces in Kenya. The best players from the provincial teams are assembled to form one team. For example, Mumias primary did very well at the provincials therefore most of the players on the Western team were from Mumias.

I attended the opening ceremony with the masses of others from the provinces. We flooded the city of Thika with buses and hoards of people. All of the buses arrived at the Ministries of Thika government offices. Just as was the case at the provincials we walked around the town centre holding banners displaying our provincial pride. The walk was long and walk in a circle with in the town. We finished at the City stadium. I was so impressed. The field had thick and healthy grass with a nice track. I was really disappointed to later learn that none of our activities would be held there. We all arrived and we walked around the field displaying our pride. It felt like the opening olympic ceremony. I got a few goose bumps.

I stayed and supported Western until Thursday afternoon. Another volunteer came to Thika to visit her students briefly before heading back to Nairobi. I joined her on her trip back to Nairobi. I was joining her and 2 others for our journey through Uganda and Rwanda. I watched as Western was winning event after event. It is good to see your school and province perform well.

Opening Ceremony (far left) Western boy playing soccer-in blue (middle) Western girls playing netball in yellow (far right)

Basketball, Drama and Funeral

Basketball, Drama, Pupil dying, Muslim funeral, teaching/coaching basketball next term, pupils exams and getting a haircut; a very busy week. I really don’t know where or how I am going to start.

As is custom that the third Saturday of every month a colleague and I go to Kakamega to teach KSL to parents of deaf pupils. I went to Kakamega on Friday to visit another volunteer who lives near town. I crashed there Friday and Saturday night. At the meeting this time there were more parents that attended, that was a good thing to see. For roughly 30 minutes I taught all of the parents vocabulary. We covered food and things in a house. I am thoroughly impressed that they pick up the material so fast. I feel very comfortable teaching, especially signing. The pressure and anxiety of speaking is not an issue; therefore focusing on signing and interacting with the people become the priority. In May I am going to teach them sentences and stories. They will learn vocab and stories at the same time. On Sunday Margaret and I went to go look for the drama competition at the near by high school. The day before my colleague told me about this competition. While we were walking down the tarmac (paved road) I noticed to the left some people playing basketball. Of course my eyes were instantly attracted to the round ball. I wanted to cross the street and get in on a pick up game. I did not know how much I miss playing, but I do miss playing. Upon arriving at the high school we notice that there is field hockey and rugby going on. I stood there for several minutes taking it all in. I enjoy competition whether playing or watching. I asked a gentlemen who was near what was going on, he said that this was the semi finals qualifications for nationals for high school sports. He also said that the basketball that we saw on the walk toward the school was a part of the qualifications. Of course at the moment my mind started to think about whether the deaf primary have basketball teams. I enquired with a few people and they said only the hearing and more specifically the private schools have basketball teams. My next thought was that I was going to start teaching the kids at school next term. That is my goal. Before I come back to site in May I am going to buy a basketball to bring with me. A nearby high school to Mumias has a nice court of which I plan on playing on often.

Field Hockey.

The main reason we were at the school in the first place was the drama competition. We walked to the auditorium and realized that it had started and people were waiting outside for their opportunity to get a seat inside. Margaret and I made a friend outside while we were waiting for the first act to end so we could see if we could get a seat. Not only did the gentlemen help us get in the building, but the hostess escorted us to the front row. He made two gentlemen get up that were seated. We were given water, bread, and soda. Again it is evident, visitors are treated like royalty. Kenyans are very hospitable. I still think that a big reason for the above and beyond treatment was that we are wazungus (white people). Part of me wants to be treated like everybody else, but at the same time it does feel nice to be given the fatted calf. The dramas, chorals, soloist, and dances were outstanding.

On Saturday I received a text message that a pupil at school had just died that morning. Certainly not what I wanted to read and experience while I am here. I arrived back at the school and learned all the details, malaria. On Monday, a large portion of the teachers and some of the students traveled by bus to the funeral service at the boys home. The next day was the burial. That was my first muslim funeral that I have attended. Interesting tid bits about a muslim funeral: only men are allowed to dig the grave, men bury the person, women are not allowed to be see the burial process, the body is placed in a white cloth and not in a casket, body is laid on its right side-facing meca-holy city for Muslims, while body is moved from carrying stretcher a white cloth with the muslim symbols on top is waved on top of the grave so people can not see the body being placed underground, sticks are placed horizontal along length of body with leaves/branches on top of that, dirt is then placed back on grave.

Muslim Prayer before burial

Exam week has gone by pretty well, but the days seem long. There is a lot of sitting around.

April plans.

Provincial games with school will be in Wbeye 30-2. If the pupils do well we will go to national’s in nyeri (hour north of nairobi). I will be there the 4-9. On the 9th I will be meeting my friends in nairobi for our vacation. We are going to the kakamega forest, white water raft down the nile in Uganda, then to Kigali, Rwanda to see the Genocide Museum. My plane leaves Kigali at 4 pm on the 18th for Nairobi. From the 19-28 I will be in Nairobi for In service training for Peace Corps. It will definitely be nice to see my other PC friends.

Oh yeah--I got a hair cut. It is short and my beard has grown in.