Working bee
Hello everyone from polluted Nairobi!!
Well... what a weekend. It is Sunday evening here and Im about to go and have dinner (you need to be punctual- 6.45 otherwise you miss out!!)
My back is still sore, my hands have blisters but it was all worth it!!
As you would all know from my previous posting, Saturday we had our working bee at the new school. We took the matutu (mini bus taxi) from the hostel to Kabira where we were met by the guys from Oasis Africa. We walked through Kabira, which is an eye-opening experience and besides being hassled by one particular gentleman we safely made it to the new school. I was keenf for work after a big breakfast, so pick in hand I went to work as we tried to dig into the ground to flatten it out. It seemed like the whole community were there to assist, I just couldnt believe when I got there all the mothers were doing the digging and they have some stamina. They were laughing at me and my technique or lack thereof... and it didnt take long for my mzungu hands to get the better of me ie. I develop a few blisters.. It didnt stop me and we spent all morning digging dirt and then bagging it and apparently the African women were impressed by my energy.. (they mustnt have very high standards) Through all the hard work it was a great opportunity to get closer to the community and to show them that even though we are here for a relatively short time we are here to work. The people are just tremendous, the parents, teachers, community leaders and the guys from Oasis Africa. What kept me going throughout the day, were the continue smiles of the kids. Like most African kids they always come up to you and want you to play with them. They are just gorgeous, there are so many I want to adopt.. ( but I dont think there parents would be too happy about that!!) It was a hard days work in the hot African sun, so it was so good to sit down after it was all finished and enjoy a hearty African meal admiring our work. Throughout the day, I did wonder at times the value of what we were doing but I just put my head down and shovelled dirt into bags. I met a few guys from a local youth church group who were always volunteering their time and invited us to their church group on Sunday morning. The headmaster asked me to make a quick speech and I just got up and thanked them for letting us be part of their lives and we both look forward to working with OA and St.Johns Primary school over the next two weeks. There is just so much work this new school needs, I cant believe they are moving in there tomorrow. I plan to make the absolute most out of it over the next 2 weeks.
We arrived home later in the afternoon and after a quick nap a few of us went out in Nairobi with a couple of guys from OA. They took us to a few bars and a club and I must admit it could have been any city in the world. (Though there were a few less white people than most clubs in Australia) It was the end of an exhausting day and I was looking forward to a big sleep.
This morning, we went to the local youth church service in a suburb not far from our hostel. Im not a huge church goer but today was fantastic, the singing and overall energy was just uplifting! I never thought Church could be so much fun and the young guys that invited us are really cool and I feel like we have made a few new friends. Over lunch, I met some young guys and girls from USA who are here on a missionary trip and were going to the market so I tagged along with them for the afternoon. They are all really cool people, and know I will have to say goodbye so I can get back for dinner.
Tomorrow we start our first 'official' day at the school and I cant wait, though a little nervous.
I hope you enjoy the pics and let me know if you want to help out in someway.
Signing off.
Troy 'I have blisters on my hands for the first time' Aitken
Well... what a weekend. It is Sunday evening here and Im about to go and have dinner (you need to be punctual- 6.45 otherwise you miss out!!)
My back is still sore, my hands have blisters but it was all worth it!!
As you would all know from my previous posting, Saturday we had our working bee at the new school. We took the matutu (mini bus taxi) from the hostel to Kabira where we were met by the guys from Oasis Africa. We walked through Kabira, which is an eye-opening experience and besides being hassled by one particular gentleman we safely made it to the new school. I was keenf for work after a big breakfast, so pick in hand I went to work as we tried to dig into the ground to flatten it out. It seemed like the whole community were there to assist, I just couldnt believe when I got there all the mothers were doing the digging and they have some stamina. They were laughing at me and my technique or lack thereof... and it didnt take long for my mzungu hands to get the better of me ie. I develop a few blisters.. It didnt stop me and we spent all morning digging dirt and then bagging it and apparently the African women were impressed by my energy.. (they mustnt have very high standards) Through all the hard work it was a great opportunity to get closer to the community and to show them that even though we are here for a relatively short time we are here to work. The people are just tremendous, the parents, teachers, community leaders and the guys from Oasis Africa. What kept me going throughout the day, were the continue smiles of the kids. Like most African kids they always come up to you and want you to play with them. They are just gorgeous, there are so many I want to adopt.. ( but I dont think there parents would be too happy about that!!) It was a hard days work in the hot African sun, so it was so good to sit down after it was all finished and enjoy a hearty African meal admiring our work. Throughout the day, I did wonder at times the value of what we were doing but I just put my head down and shovelled dirt into bags. I met a few guys from a local youth church group who were always volunteering their time and invited us to their church group on Sunday morning. The headmaster asked me to make a quick speech and I just got up and thanked them for letting us be part of their lives and we both look forward to working with OA and St.Johns Primary school over the next two weeks. There is just so much work this new school needs, I cant believe they are moving in there tomorrow. I plan to make the absolute most out of it over the next 2 weeks.
We arrived home later in the afternoon and after a quick nap a few of us went out in Nairobi with a couple of guys from OA. They took us to a few bars and a club and I must admit it could have been any city in the world. (Though there were a few less white people than most clubs in Australia) It was the end of an exhausting day and I was looking forward to a big sleep.
This morning, we went to the local youth church service in a suburb not far from our hostel. Im not a huge church goer but today was fantastic, the singing and overall energy was just uplifting! I never thought Church could be so much fun and the young guys that invited us are really cool and I feel like we have made a few new friends. Over lunch, I met some young guys and girls from USA who are here on a missionary trip and were going to the market so I tagged along with them for the afternoon. They are all really cool people, and know I will have to say goodbye so I can get back for dinner.
Tomorrow we start our first 'official' day at the school and I cant wait, though a little nervous.
I hope you enjoy the pics and let me know if you want to help out in someway.
Signing off.
Troy 'I have blisters on my hands for the first time' Aitken
posted by Troy Aitken | 8:22 AM
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