Jamii School - Day 3 - a no-rain day?

As of 9pm tonight, we've not had our daily rainstorm though it's quite cool/cold and cloudy. We'll see...!

Sanna and Lance are practicing a song in the morning sun. I love the long shadows we're casting. Hmm... hopefully a metaphor for the work we're doing here.

Raising a cup with the students in my class as we prepare for snack time. One of the "perks" for students coming to the school is that they get a morning tea break and lunch - which for many of them is all they eat for the day. The brightly colored hats were sewn by women in Linda's church. (Linda came with the Kizimani Team last year.)

The teachers received some special hats and scarves from Linda and her crew.

When we go to the field (which is where the new school building will be located), "our" kids are the ones in the school uniforms - you've seen the burgundy outfits :-) But because our clinic is set up in the same area, other kids are around too. This young girl just wrings my heart.

The brand new and SO much nicer "chos" (restrooms) are just behind this little girl - the first step in building the new school compound...

 Sanna loves the kids and they love her. The big white tent behind her is the clinic for the week.

Me and my entourage for the day. We all have kids grabbing our hands whenever they can.

Teacher Jaqui is in the center with Teacher Carnevale on the left and Ann Gerson on the right. I help out in Jaqui's classroom.

The pharmacy.

One of my favorite people here is Basilus who, along with his wife Esther, are the directors of the Jamii School. Yes, we're posing in front of one of the new restrooms!

Several people on the team have colds so that's no fun for them. Prayers appreciated for speedy recovery for them all :-) So far I'm staying healthy.

Dr. Bob Wells is posting a blog at http://2014kenyakizimani.blogspot.com

And there's more pictures on a PhotoStream which you can view and even download photos if you wish at http://bit.ly/Kizimani2014

Jamii School - Day Two

Today's lesson was about the healing of the blind man, so the craft project was to wear a "blindfold" and try to draw a picture of a face.

Once they had done that, we cut holes in the blindfold so they could see and try drawing a face again. Teacher Jackie is sporting one too :-)

At playtime, Lance was the Pied Piper - playing and singing his tunes while the children gathered  round...

A "selfie" with a friend.

Bought new boots today. As you can see from my neighbor's boots, mine will probably not look so clean and bright in another day or so.

Ken Turney is now "Bapu Ken" (basically "Grandpa Ken") and the kids adore him. Of course, he adores them right back.

 Sandy, Ken's wife, is working in the pharmacy.

In the afternoon, I'm an assistant to Maggie and Ann as they present teacher training for all the Jamii teachers. It's very interactive and we're all learning a lot!

 And of course I've located some cats. This mama is not wanting me to come any closer to her baby.

That photo was taken on the grounds of the nice hotel where we're staying. It's like living in a tropical rainforest, rain and all.

Jamii School - Day One

As it was last year, it's beyond words to describe what it's like to be joyously welcomed by the students - now totaling almost 500.

As we arrive, they're chanting:

     Welcome Teacher!

     You are most welcome!

     Welcome to our school!

They also chant this when we come into a classroom to help. Talk about making us feel welcome!

One young girl with Down's Syndrome finally screwed up the courage to accept Michelle's invitation for a hug.

Three kids sporting the "crowns" they made as a craft today with us.

Our trip leader, Miriam, is talking with one of the workers about upcoming construction. Behind them are the start of building on the property owned by the school. The current site is being leased, so being able to build a new school from the ground up will be a huge blessing to the students and teachers.

More kids :-)

Wish I could upload a video so you could get the full effect of the way the rain pours down here. So far the pattern seems to be sunny mornings and early afternoons; then deluge!!

Group photo :-) Miriam said this morning would be the only time our team will be all together in one place.

In case you're interested, I know a couple other people are blogging about the trip as well.

Maggie Englund - www.magenglund.blogspot.com

Hans Blom - www.hansinkenya.blogspot.com

Rainy Eldoret

We were greeted by a downpour in Eldoret. Tried to upload a short video of the downpour - not sure if it's working.

1st day in Kenya

Deplaning our 747 - on the tarmac, which I happen to know that Jon Straalsund always loves to do!

Flights were without incident. We had one lost piece of luggage (which re-appeared today which means Lance is a happy camper!) and had to pay $200 duty for all our stuff (which was a "new rule" from past years but we feel pretty fortunate it wasn't more).

Sunday morning - check out these pill-packin' gals...

After counting and organizing meds all morning, most of the group walked to a nearby mall for lunch and a bit of shopping. I met up with Bill and Julisa Rowe (plus the boys!) for lunch and then to see a touring play Julisa directed. I've met several of the actors before through drama conferences here in Kenya so it was a treat to see them. Unfortunately for me, a big wave of tired hit me just before the play started so I'm sure I did not quite catch all of it.

After the play, we went to a pizza place for a good-bye party for Tony, who is coming to New York City for school in film and writing. Here he is looking "surprised" at the T-shirt he's receiving, which had been passed around the table in full view all during dinner so fellow actors could write on it.

Now he's giving a "tearful" good-bye speech (remember, these are a bunch of actors!)

And of course everyone was "sad" to see him go... Well, they probably really are sad.

At the PDX airport

Just waiting for our boarding call. All present and accounted for. Away we go!

Bob Wells - our lead doctor.  In case you can't read the T-shirt, it says, "This is what a really cool grandpa looks like."

Returning to Kenya :-)

On August 1 I’ll be leavin’ on a jet plane to Kenya with the Kizimani team.

As I did last year, I’ll attempt to update this blog as often as possible, given internet vaguaries and travel eccentricities. Unknown adventures await, I’m sure.

If you would like more email in your inbox (yeah, baby!) you can sign up for notifications of when a new entry is posted by entering your email address in the box below. Or just click on this link whenever you want to travel virtually with us. 

Financial contributions to our work is always welcome and I still have a bit of a gap in covering trip costs. You can donate online at the Kizimani website if you like, or mail a check to me (made out to Kizimani).

Onward!