Pure Enjoyment

After living at the CYEC in Thunguma (a small village outside of Nyeri) for nearly three weeks now, I believe my teammates and I have started adjusting quite well to the cultural differences.  We are getting more accustomed the laid-back Kenyan lifestyle by learning to take things one day at a time.  Although, we brainstorm many different programs and ideas we know that they may or may not occur today or next week. 

Instead of worrying about what time it is, Kenyan’s seem to truly just value each moment.  The people around this village spend more time telling stories and building relationships than meeting deadlines as it would be in most places in America.

My typical weekday at the centre begins at 6:30 a.m. when I wake to walk several of the primary and high school girls to school.  I then return to the CYEC to relax, read, or talk with older youth until tea and bread is ready (which could range anywhere from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) 

Before lunch I spend most of my time in the dress-making shop with two ladies Domarice and Fatuma.  These talented young ladies work on tailoring clothes & creating handbags, head wraps, shirts, skirts, school dresses, and probably anything else you ask them to do.  The CYEC is giving these two girls a place to work on their sewing/tailoring skills before entering the competitive business world.  (Both of these girls remain at the centre during the day because the lack money to pay for school fees).

As one of my projects at the centre, I have taken the initiative to help organize the shop with the girls as well as teach them basic record-keeping skills.  I enjoy spending time with the girls while also helping them with the business enterprises here in country and back in America.  Currently the girls are working on making handbags and headbands to sell back at K-State’s local bookstore, Varney’s.

In the afternoons we have lunch, which consists of rice and kale (my favorite), anytime between 1 and 1:45.  After this, many of my teammates and I have either gone on walks through the surrounding hills and village or ventured into Nyeri Town.  I visit Nyeri at least once a week to barter for fresh fruits and vegetables and just to explore the local shops and vendors.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 5-6:30 I lead an art class for the children when they return from school.  Some of the projects I have planned are print-making, string art, bracelet making and blow art.  All of the projects I brainstormed with the local art room volunteers utilize natural resources I can find in the surrounding area (leaves, sticks, dirt, water, etc).  I really enjoy watching the children get so enthusiastic about something they created.

In the evenings we have supper anywhere from 6:30 to 8 and (most of us) eat the same food as the children.  Suppers consist of either: rice and green grams (garden nut/beans); beans and corn; ugali (yucky huck of corn starch-like substance); chapati (delicious) and beans; very rarely we receive freshly made yogurt or picked bananas.

After supper we play games with the children then help them with homework.  Every weekday evening the children also have homework time between 7:30 and 9 p.m. then go to sleep around 9:30.

I look forward to each moment I have to spend with the children and youth and I cannot believe this experience is almost half way over!  I’m trying to make the most of my time here in Kenya by just truly enjoying time spent with those around me.  As Issa, the art volunteer I work with always says, “Every day is a miracle.”