Some Final Thoughts From Wayne

Well friends, we arrived at Dulles after 19 hours of travel. Carroll greeted us with balloons and Roses!
Thank you for all the prayers and support of our trip. We greatly appreciate the encouraging and witty comments left by many on the blog. Thanks to all of you who helped in getting the trip together by donating items to take to the school, Carroll for constantly (before and during the trip) reminding me of all the things that we had to get done. Thanks to Bethany for setting up the technical aspects of the trip - furnishing the blog site, setting it up and teaching her father how to publish to it, furnishing a camera for me to use and leave with Patrick so that he can take and send pictures. Thanks to Carroll and Bethany for furnishing visual aids to be used at the Rotary presentation.
To summarize this trip: It was the fruits of many hard years of constant support and prayers of many faithful people. I hope that this is just one of many positive things to come for the school.
Kwa Heri (good bye) until Summer 2008,
Wayne

Mwallimu (teacher)

This entry is more a personal observation and one that has great meaning for me. During our dealings with the Kenya Rotary members both at their meetings and their visit to Mathare I noticed a change in their attitude toward Patrick. They were always nice and courtesty however as they got to know him and began to understand the nature of his work their respect increaseed. As they realized that he had given up one of the best teaching position in Kenya and took on one of the most underpaid and least appreciated positions in Kenya their respect increased. At the last meeting that we attended with the Rotary they referred to him as Mwalimu (teacher). This is a term of great respect especially when used by adults. The people of Tanzania referred to their first presendent as Mwalimu. As they began to understand the monumental task he has taken on and the success he has acheived both in the school and in the community their own commitment to the MCC was strengthened. I think that all of us have known and appreciated Patick's abilities, dedication and accomplishments in Mathare. It was good to see that after these years that he was receiving recognition from his peers and fellow countrymen.

Photos

The best way to view photos and read text below is to go down to the post that says Secondary School Students Form I and then go up reviewing in reverse order.

We had another very successful meeting with the Rotary this evening. We had requested on a few minutes to clear up a few details but were asked to stay for the entire meeting. We gave a short talk for the benefit of those not present last week. We then answered questions and discussed ways they could help.
No comments from Betsy as she had such a hard day teaching that she fell asleep when we got back from the meeting. However she did take the pictures and get the letters from the students which was no small task.
Wayne

Good Advice From a Young Student

Faith--Start this day with a deep breath, inhale all the love and goodness of God; exhale all the fears, worries and tears and have a fantastic day.

Trying to Make a New Future

Frances—Because of post-election violence, our house was burnt and my family of 6 –we were displaced—My mother is a single parent

Yet there is a Smile

Lydia—We have had many troubles here in Kenya and some of my friends have lost their parents.

Part of Maureen's Story

Maureen—The job that my mother does is washing clothes for those who are rich and her payment is daily is 50 schillings (75 cents US). One of my sisters was killed in the riots. We stayed for almost a week in our house without eating. I love school and the teachers at Mercy Care.

Typical Story

Josephene—My father died when I was a baby and my mother died in the year 2003. I stayed with neighbour until I finished class eight and suddenly the neighbour who looked after me died in 2007. I would be very glad if you help me to finish school. (Headmaster Patrick Lumumba found a family to take Josesphene and the school will feed her.)

Pieces of Letters

Evalyne-We have passed through many difficulties because of the riots—The people who brought the riots had already occupied our house. So we had to go to our aunt’s place to find safety.
I am talented in singing and dancing and love to make jokes with my friends.

Secondary School Students Form I (Grade 9)

What is above are some photos of Form I students along with some pieces of letters students wrote to students at E. C. Glass (sister school to Mercy Care):
The letters were about a page long but only a short portion will be written. The letters in places quite graphic references to violence and harsh conditions. Home life and personal details. The full letters will be made available when we return.
Wayne

Clever Boy

Kennedy is a very clever young man who was full of questions about the USA. He is teaching us much and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Wayne

Working Hard

Another teachers on her lunch time sweeps the area and flattens it after students finish lunch.

The broom she is using works quite well as I tried it but not for too long.

Wayne

Creative

The teachers at MCC are very creative and cease anything at hand to make a point. Here the teacher is stressing the value of teamwork and getting along with and helping one another a lesson we can all heed.

Wayne

Eager to Learn

The students are very eager to learn. They listen intently to anything you have to say and when appropriate ask lots of good questions. Many of the uniforms were made from different types of uniforms acquired by Judi Connelly. I think that Carroll furnished the white shirts. These students are so very bright and proud of their school that when they get more supplies and equipment to work with they will really shine.

They are very interested in the people in the USA and how they live, what they think, what you eat, climate, etc. They also ask questions about the the people helping them wanting to know about their lives and are very appreciative for the help they are receiving. They know that their hope of a future depends on it.

Wayne

my beautiful students

I got to teach for 3 hours today--lots of poetry and lots of questions about America. One boy wanted to know how old I was. When I told him I was going to be 66 next month, he was clearly shocked. He said, "Madam, in this country mothers that are that old walk with a stick."

I explained to him that I was born in a country where I always had plenty of food, a safe home, a free education, and good health care. All these blessings were given to me not because I deserved them but because of the place I was born and that I wanted all people to have these blessings.

Teachers

Here are two of the secondary school teachers grading papers in a pleasant atmosphere.

Wayne

Another Big Day

Pictures are not loading so here is text. We had another big day Sunday. We went a church that we enjoyed greatly, out to eat which took over 4 hours. The brought the jiko (stove used with charoal) to the banda where were sitting filled it with charcoal and lite it. After much fanning it became hot at which point the cook put on the cooking oil. After allowing time (of course) it heated nicely at which time he added chicken and herbs and other stuff to make a traditional african dish. He keep checking it for around 1 hour and after about 2&1/2 hours it was ready. After bringing water for washing our hand he served the dish with naan a soft bread. It was a delicious meal but as we ate with our fingers Betsy and Wayne used quite a pile of napkins. I am glad they did not charge by the napkin or we would have had to was up to dishes.
We then had tea and conversation and after a little over 4 hours we left to go and copy Betsy's poetry lesson for the next day.

Wayne

Guest Lecturerer in East African Poetry

This a group of form I (graded 9) students who have on the receiving end of some great teaching from Betsy in East African Poetry. When we return home Betsy's plans are to guest lecture on East African Poetry at Lynchburg College and then go on tour. PS She really is quite good.

Wayne

Off to Church

We went to church with Pamela and Patrick. They have 3 services--4000 worshippers at each service. We heard the most powerful speaker who had lost his legs to polio at age 5. The elders in the tribe came to ask his mother if they could take him into the bush to be left to die. She refused and raised him as she did his 11 sibllings with strong self-image. He had no education and started school at age 21--he now has his PHD. He was full of laughter and good humor describing his trials. The church is focusing its ministry on the handicapped. The only odd thing was that there was no mention of Palm Sunday.

Betsy

Moving Day

There is lots of movement and upheaval in the valley at this time. This man was moving his household furnishings. Betsy asked to take a photo and then we helped him get his wheels over the hump. He then turned right and went down a narrow alleyway with little clearance on each side to his his location. There is controversy as people have moved into other people's homes and refuse to move. The meeting at the school yesterday attempted to begin dealing with that situation as well as the large displaced population (there are over 6,000 people living in a camp located at a police station just on the rim of the valley). They were also attempting to decide who would be allowed to come back and build on large areas that were burned during the turmoil. We were asked to attend a meeting in 2 weeks to act as a third party. (We will be home by then). They have asked and are trying to get other impartial groups to attend. Patrick (headmaster at our school) will be fully involved.

Wayne