American Independence Day in Kenya

We've been back in the village for just under a week and are spending most of our time in the Special Unit of Ol-Ng'arua Primary School. On Friday, Jake, Joey, and I each started teaching our own lessons to smaller groups of 5 or 6 kids. Jake was working on simple addition and subtraction with a few of the more advanced students, Joey's group was painting, and in mine we attempted to make numbers with modeling clay.

I think Jake may have been the most successful; I could hear his students giving mostly correct answers when asked mathmatic equations. Joey's kids began by painting on the table and eventually moved to their papers; this could also be considered a success. I had one girl, Veronica, who could shape the numbers 1 and 2 with her clay; my other kids mainly just enjoyed playing and making indistinguishable shapes.

David, one the of the teachers at the Special Unit, was very encouraging and said we did well. I am skeptical of how much we are actually helping but appreciate his support and hope that we are, in some small way, contributing to the development of the students. In a short period of time I have come to care about them very much.

To celebrate the Fourth of July, the three of us decided to invite Isaac and Joyce's family (most of whom are also neighbors) to a celebratory bbq. We made a trip to Nyahururu for groceries, which was an experience in and of itself. On our way home we packed 29 people into the matatu, plus a few babies and various bags of fruits and vegetables. Remember, these vehicles our built to seat 14 plus the driver. If we reach 30 before leaving Kenya I will be sure to post this update in detail.

Anyway, for the bbq we cooked hamburgers that tasted like meatloaf, hot dogs (true to form although we had to explain they were not made from dog meat) and guacamole with chapati. We also bought a couple of chickens from the neighbors and slaughtered them for the festivities. The jury is out on whether or not anyone actually like the food but I think they at least appreciated the gesture.

There is much more to tell but we have limited time at the cyber cafe so must go now! Hope everyone had a fun fourth of july weekend and that all is well at home and wherever else you may be reading this entry. Kwaheri (Goodbye) !!