Today was great! It started off poorly (late getting out of Robyn's) but ended well. One of the vans had a "puncture" and was late arriving, so we had to wait for it to arrive. Eventually we were able to go to the Good Samaritan Children's Home in the Mathari slums. Usually, Robyn is able to drive to the school but since we had so much rain and our vans were so large, we had to walk from the main road to where the school was.
This home was very different than Huruma. The children sleep up to 50 in just one room with 3 per bed. They just had a small concrete room about the size of the Jr High room to play in as their playground. On the second floor of the school you had to watch out so that you didn't fall through the floorboards, because there were large holes and the boards were rotten in different places. This home was also very dirty compared to Huruma. The children were getting ready to go to the picnic at Paradise Lost (the park where we went to next). To bathe, the children would take a bucket of water and then dip a rag into it to wash off.
When we were finished at Good Samaritan, we walked back to the vans to then go to Paradise Lost park. This park would compare to Quabache, however this is not a state park. When we arrived, there were coffee plant fields along both sides of the road as you drove back to the park. As we got closer, there were signs indicating that there were camels! I guess you could ride them, but we didn't. Once we arrived at the gate, a few members of the group had to use the bathroom. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! These were squatters and they smelled worse than an outhouse. (Kristin...Now I see why you came back like you did. lol.)
We were then able to go to the camp site where we met up with Michael Johnson's group from Pennsylvania. There, we had to wait forever for the children to arrive. No one ever gave a clear reason for the late arrival, but I guess that's Kenya. After the children arrived, we started off by feeding them boiled eggs, two rolls and a carton of milk. As Michael said, "This is probably more food than they can handle." There were also bag lunches that included: two sandwiches, an apple, an orange and cookies. That they would be fed later in the afternoon.
We then did our puppet show as they finished eating. Once the children had finished eating, we went across the road to a large open field where we played games. The ladies did face painting for those that wanted it, some played soccer, some just kicked a ball around and others just stood around and visited. Michael made the comment that this was more grass than these kids will ever see. Then there were organized games. There were four groups total. We had to name the groups after prophets of the bible. Go Jonah! Once the games were over, the Good Samaritan acrobat team performed for everyone. This is a show that they travel around and do for earning money for the home. They were very good.
Finally we left for home. Everyone is very muddy, dirty and exhausted. Once home, we found out that the gas had ran out on the stove. But that was a good thing, because Robyn's househelp had put the roast on a cookie sheet in the oven instead of in a pot with water and vegetables. So, while we are waiting for supper, everyone is showering and getting ready for our Sunday school lessons tomorrow. Hope all is well.
Earl & Lesley
Rhea and Natalie handing out food to the kids.
Puppet show done for the kids.
Group games done with the kids at the picnic.
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