The Rains Have Finally Arrived!

I honestly never, ever, ever thought I would ever, ever say that.  But after my trip to the Maasai Mara, seeing the dead cows on the side of the road, the acres of burnt ground from the wild fires and the dry river beds, I know how much this country needs it.  However, the rains mean that the kids can't go outside to play, which turns the usual everyday madness into a full fledged riot.  Colouring day turned into children eating pencil crayons, so, that was interesting.  I suddenly had kids coming up to me with orange, blue and yellow mouths. As homework I now carry a Swahilli cheat sheet in my pocket which includes "that is very bad for you", "don't hit", "be nice", and "say sorry".  There is a new volunteer, also named Jessie, working with me at the home and while we haven't been given the support to get any programs actually started but we're putting together some good ideas and are hoping to meet with the director tomorrow, if she shows up. The days are still intense, but I'm starting to feel a bit more comfortable, learning the kids names and making friends at the home.  One of my favorite times of day is my matatu ride home, Kenya's form of transportation. They are truly insane, pimped out nissan vans, complete with black lights, dirty rap and reggae music pounding, lowered, raised, even a few flat screen tvs... its an episode of "Pimp my Ride" that never ends.  The drivers are mad, and they cram in as many people as possible.  But I've met some of the nicest Kenyans on those rides, times when the entire matatu will refuse to let the driver drop me off in an unsafe place, its chaotic and insane and so beautiful and real... everything that I love about Kenya crammed into one little spot. 

The safari at the Maasai Mara was brilliant, unbelievable to watch a herd of elephants cross the road in front of you.  I thought they'd be so loud, but you couldn't even hear them walking.  This last weekend I went to Lake Niavasha with some other volunteers.  We rode our bikes around the park Hell's Gate, alongside giraffes and zebras and buffallos.  It was so breathtaking.  On the way there I had my most crowded matatu ride - 25 people crammed in the van.  We stayed at a place called Fishermans Camp, in a really sweet cabin.  We had a campfire one night and again it was really nice to be able to talk to different volunteers in different placements, find out about projects that they've started and the experiences they've had.  Got to go on a boat tour and ride past herds of hippos swimming in the water (actually really scary - those things are seriously big!). 

So things are getting better, I've started mending the childrens clothing, so ripped and torn, and putting elastics in the waists so that the pants aren't falling down.  It keeps me busy in the evenings and while I'm helping with the laundry and its nice to be able to see a result of my work, even if its small.  There still a lot of really sad and unfair moments but there are also little victories, comforting a child whose been pushed down or teased, and that lone can make a day worth it.  Day by day, theres just no other way to go about it here.

Love you all, hope things are good at home, I'm thinking of you lots.

Jessie