Refugees

I went to Daystar University this week to sit in on a class in their peace studies department. The topic was refugees. I found listening to the information on the Kenyan Refugee Act interesting, given the work I have done half a world away with receiving refugees into Canada. I was also blessed to encounter zebras and giraffes on the ride out. The campus is on the outskirts of Nairobi. I was checking out the potential for Menno Simmons students to participate in a couple of classes while we are here on practicum to build bonds and see from an African perspective, conflict transformation.

I also had an opportunity to meet with a refugee my sponsor has sponsored who is here in Kenya. He is a delightful young man who survived the Rwandan genocide. I was so impressed with his story. He tells me that God intervened so many times on his journey. He was separated from his uncle and siblings but made his way to Burundi and then on to Tanzania. At one point, because he was young and healthy, he was asked to get off a lorry which was later blown up as it approached a border. I was so impressed with his faith and his personality. I look forward to seeing him again on Palm Sunday at mass.
I leave bright and early tomorrow morning to go to the Mombassa area. I will be staying at a Christian conference centre right on the Indian Ocean. I hope to read and debrief by myself before the Hope for Kenya Forum, Coastal region Conference begins on Monday.

Today was my farewell luncheon at work. We went to the Carnivore Restaurant where I ate crocodile, ostrich, beef, chicken, and pork in various forms such as ribs, sausages, roast, wings, liver, and gizzards. I skipped the later. My colleagues were very affirming about the work that I have done here, though we will have the official debrief momentarily. I have been blessed and a blessing and that has made all the difference. I was open to so much but also wanted to be a vehicle for God’s grace to work through. I am grateful for everything.

Suzanne

Humble Hearts School

Yesterday I spent the morning at Humble Hearts School in Nairobi. A colleague of mine from Winnipeg sponsors a deaf boy there. His face broke into a wide grin when he saw the mini cars she had included in her care package. He gratefully examined all the items and then tightly gripped the pencil, toothbrush and face cloth that he was allowed to bring back to class. The school has about 300 students from the slums of Nairobi. Forty students in the primary classes are Deaf. The director says that she noticed a problem with the students returning home and not being able to communicate so she allowed siblings to attend the school. They are in separate classes except for Kenyan Sign Language classes.

The school is humble and is in a poor part of Nairobi. The smell as you walk towards it is quite unpleasant. Once you enter the compound, you forget the smell as happy faces greet you. The classes are in tin trailers, painted purple, and the uniforms are also purple!!! The school looks much poorer than the school I visited in Bujumbura. The residence is in the home of the parents of the director. The girls and boys sleep in separate tin shacks, three to a bed. My heart went out to them but I tried to accept that a shared bed was better than no bed in the slums.

In the pre-unit, a boy around 14 sat learning amongst the little 4-year-olds. A social worker had found him wandering the streets of the slums, unable to communicate. She contacted Humble Hearts who took him in, gave him a name, and hope to provide an education for him. He will remain in the pre-unit for the first year and then be placed more appropriately, depending on his a new achievements.

A new residence is being built on the outskirts of town, in a lovely residential area. There looks to be ample room for boys and girls to sleep in secure, healthy surroundings. As well, there are kitchen, dining, and laundry facilities. The little shamba or garden has food in it now that is used for the current residence. There is also a place for cows and chickens. However building materials are expensive and the work was begun two years ago. Beaty, the director, was not sure when the project would be finished. She says the neighbours are accepting of the concept of having Deaf children move in.

Not all children have sponsors and if anyone is so moved, information about Humble Hearts sponsorship can be found at http://www.angelcovers.org/humblehearts.html -- I know you will be blessed if you do and it will certainly help a Deaf child in desperate need.

Amani,

Suzanne

Two weeks left

Hard to believe that time is almost out. The next week is going to be busy--we have been in the office late and this weekend I am working too on the audit prep. The following week I will be in Mombassa on the coast for a few days for a Hope for Kenya Forum Conference. The sessions are for clergy who are still dealing with what happened in parishes after the post-election violence and CAPI is sending me to represent them.

With any luck I will also get to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve--pray it all works out. I leave April 6 for home and get in on the evening of April 7 in time for family celebrations--brithdays and anniversaries--and Holy Week celebrations at my community.

Happy Birthday!!

Several of you are experiencing birthdays in the coming week and internet is crazy slow here right now and getting online is a hassle. So Mary T, Fr. B, Joanne, Aunt J, and Penny, I wish each of you a fabulous year ahead. Each of you is in my heart and prayers.

Happy spring!! I have a feeling I may not be online in the next few days.

love,

Suzanne

ps: Hannah Taylor from Ladybug Foundation sent me a lovely email recently to thank and encourage me for what I am doing here. Isn't she just the sweetest thing??? I printed it off and took it home to show the children who were thrilled!! The daughter drew a picture and one of the sons wrote a fabulous letter to her which I will get to her upon my return.

Do not forget the things

The Old Testament reading for Wednesday was from Deuteronomy 4:9: “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” I stopped and pondered these words in my African context—in the experience of this adventure that I have been living—in the understanding that these months have been a blessing that is not yet finished. When I return home, I will not forget all that I have seen or let the memories slip from my heart as long as I live.

I awoke early thinking about the colleague in Burundi, wondering how he will manage. First he mourns the loss of his child—his wife was 7 months pregnant when she miscarried. Then the death of his wife, who in another country might well still be alive. Four young children remain that will need his care as he grieves. My prayers are with him and his family.

This story is one of several that will be engrained within my soul as I prepare to leave and return home. I have so many stories to tell that have not yet made it to these pages. I know that there will be a time of discerning and integration of this experience over the months and years to come. I hope that I am careful enough to honour the gift that has been given to me—all of it. The fears, pain, sadness, beauty, courage, and the whole of it are to be appreciated. I am living my chance of a lifetime and hoping that it will influence the rest of my life.

Peace,

Suzanne

African Reality

Today in the office we received sad news. Last week, we heard the news that the wife of a colleague from Burundi had miscarried the baby she was carrying. Today was the infant's burial...and today the wife also died. She had been in a coma since last week after the miscarriage. The horrible reality for African women is that giving birth--or attempting to in this case--is risky business. I am so sad to know that Adrian and his young children have to suffer such a loss. He is an incredible man who interpreted for me during my time in Bujumbura. He works with people who have been traumatized. Now he faces his own mountain of grief. Please pray for him and the children and those who will mourn Odette's death. Odette's sister is also known to me as a fabulous African woman who is doing excellent healing work in the region as well.

peace,

Suz

Hear these praises

"Hear these praises from a grateful heart" the song lyrics wafted through the congregation at Lifespring Community Chapel where Pastor Bob is the senior pastor. I had been singing a number of the worship songs and somehow I had already been thanking God for my incredible experience here in Africa and gotten a wee bit teary about my imminent departure and this song pushed me into those emotions even more. Fast forward three weeks and I will be somewhere in the air over Europe. It is hard to believe really. I don't know what to think yet. I am anxious to return home and to my life in Canada but at the same time I have really been so grateful for the time I have had in Africa. I have been blessed in ways I cannot even articulate. Today for example, I rounded a corner with Fr. Lwanga (who sends a heartfelt hug to you, Winn) and stopped at the sight of these two magnificent flowering trees. "Look!" I exclaimed, 'we don't grow these at home."

I have had trouble getting on to the internet lately. Mostly because I have been so busy but also the connections are slow and the flash drive we use to connect is in high demand in the office. I will try to post a few updates in this sitting.

I have had news that I will head to the coast for a conference and staff has encouraged me to take a few days of vacation and enjoy Mombassa or Lamu so I will explore those options. I have also decided to try to get to Masai Mara Game Park this weekend but better get organized or it will come and go before I blink.

What else do I need to let you know about? Work has been a little hectic and I do wonder if I will complete everything on my plate or not. I have a brochure, newsletter and website to prepare which are all major tasks but somewhat related. I have a few other things to do as well, and this week it is to assist with the audit preparation. Today though I was booked to see Fr Lwanga who is a Benedictine priest and so what I thought would be a few hours took most of the day in typical African style but I thoroughly enjoyed the company of these men and the work that they are doing. I saw a little more of Nairobi too as we headed in a direction I have not been.

This weekend Bob had to pick up one of his son's in Karen so I went along for the ride and the house we arrived at is part of Karen Blixen's coffee plantation (as is everything in Karen) and I gaped at the luxury of it all. Bob's youngest son pulled me over to the window and pointed in the direction of the swimming pool. While I have not been living in austere surroundings, I had not been in a posh setting since arriving. I must confess I just wanted to sit down and soak it all in but it is probably a very good thing we had to head off to church.

Bob was preaching on abortion that morning and we had discussed the topic earlier that week and so I went along to hear what he had to say. He was preaching against the bill that is on the table here that will allow 12 year old girls to have access to contraceptives and abortion without parental consent or knowledge. Twelve!! Yikes!! His oldest son is 12--he is just a baby in many ways. The sermon was very good and compassionate. He shared also from a Kenyan perspective and said that the reason Kenyan women have abortions are shame and security. He also told the story of Luke, my friends Al and Darlene's baby who they chose to keep, despite doctors encouraging them to abort the child who was destined to not survive. He told the story with such grace and beauty that it brought tears to my eyes and so proud once again of the choice that my friends had made. He ended with a prayer time for those who had had abortions and prayed that they would know that the decision did not define them--that they were still children of God, well-loved by the Giver of Life. He also called for prayer for those who had forced abortions on women (parents and partners) and for men who were not consulted in the decision. It was refreshingly different than anything I had experienced in Canada. Afterwards, I joined an American couple for lunch at an Indian restaurant and then went shopping for souvenirs at a market.

I think I better head home now. I have a 20 minute walk downhill and want to get home before it gets too dark.

with praise and thanksgiving for all that I am gifted with here,

Suzanne

Giving my head a shake today

Whilst reading a Kenyan newspaper yesterday, I both growled and howled. First, I was mad and then I simply laughed at how dense some corporations are. The article that caught my eye was on tea workers in Kenya. Tea is a big commodity here but pickers are paid a pittance. Female pickers end up selling their bodies to earn enough money to pay rent and feed their families. One of Kenya’s largest tea companies educates their employees on the dangers of AIDS and hands out free condoms because their staff turnover is huge due to people dying. Really!!! I mean hello!!! Why not just pay your employees a decent wage????!!! Sigh.

Then I met a man after work because he wanted to talk to me about something. Three guesses—yours will be as good as mine and we are probably on the same page. So, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt anyway...but should have trusted my instincts. On top of it, today I found out he is married with children. Anyway, I am learning to hone my spiel. I am poor, I am not looking for a romantic encounter (especially if you’re married—and I don’t really care how many wives you think you can take), and I don’t know any wealthy people who will give you money. I must have ticked him off a bit though because he did not even offer to walk me to the matatu stop or even the door at the place we were at. Not even polite by African standards. He had promised to be discreet but I certainly did not. I would name him here if I were as much of a scoundrel as he is.

Are you wondering what happened to me thriving happily? I never get this much attention from men in Canada so I am just getting a little tired of the game. Since part of this blog is for future MSC interns I thought I would put my rant in about some men here in Africa. Let me stress the word some. I have met some incredibly honourable men here.

I am sure I will have a better day tomorrow.

Still smiling in spite of it all,

Suz

An Elephant Will Only Thrive If It is Happy

This weekend I played tourist. On Saturday I went to town and visited City Market and The National Museum. The city was fairly empty for a Saturday, perhaps due to the proximity of the killings last week but I got the sense from the crafters at City Market that they were hungry for business. I however was only looking. The prices were much higher than those selling similar items at Prestige Mall by the office so I decided not to buy much of anything.
The National Museum was spectacular in some ways, disappointing in others. The building itself is gorgeous and some of the displays are definitely worth a look. I also went to mass at the Basilica. I had to chuckle with delight—the timing of the mass was such that the stunning stained glass windows whirled colourful spots, primarily purple, all over the inner walls, that constantly changed as the sun set. For the first while I was distracted by them, marvelling at how gorgeous they were. Even though they were the colour of the season, I had to wonder whether I should be this jubilant during Lent.
On Sunday, I went to see Principal Melnyk’s (aka Kathy) elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Centre. David, along with his now widow, Dame Daphne, have spent years hand-rearing orphaned elephants and are strong activists against poaching. Tourists can see the elephants playing during their noon mud baths and listen to the spiel on how they came to the Centre. It is really an interesting time and even with the new compulsory entry fee, I would recommend it as it is still cheaper than most other activities in Nairobi and the cause is dear to my heart from my own involvement with the Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Humans inflict all sorts of agony on wildlife as we encroach on their space, and it is no different than elephants who can walk up to 100 miles in a day. You can check out the work at the centre at http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ and you can even, like Kathy, sponsor an elephant. It makes a great alternative gift. Two 60 Minutes TV programs have showcased the Centre and a third one will begin filming shortly.
I am going to try and download my first video but I am a wee bit nervous it won’t work with the connection speed here. This elephant is one of Kathy’s, Kamana and is orphaned. There were 11 elephants this noon hour, playing and bathing, and were amazing to watch. One little one rubbed its eye with its trunk, reminding me of little Tim at supper just before he would announce that he was “tres fatigue.” The family of Carers are the replacement family for these little orphans and are with them 24 hours a day.
The presenter told us that they had just lost a baby elephant because it did not have the will to live. An elephant will only thrive if it is happy—which does not sound too different from humans—however it is possible for elephants to pine themselves to death. The term “an elephant never forgets” is true and they will grief deeply for the loss of their mother, to the point of their own death. It has made me reflect a little on how we all must choose to thrive in order to be happy. As I look at the severe poverty that afflicts most Africans, I see that they definitely make a choice to keep joy in their lives despite the many hurdles they face.
From the Centre, I decided to go to the Nairobi National Park for a safari. I had met some angels at the Centre who had given me a lift from the matatu drop off and since I had seen some warthogs roaming around, decided I would ask for a lift down. These people insisted on dropping me off at the main gate of the park which was lovely of them. The safari was the wrong time of day but I still saw quite a few animals. A lioness had just killed lunch (a wildebeest) and so that alone made those on the bus think they had gotten their money worth. Jake, I cannot thank you enough for your help in picking out my camera. I got some pretty decent shots compared to others on the bus so asante sana to you!! I met two lovely women who are from Paris and working with two different NGO’s here who spoke English well and so I may connect with them again at some point. Thriving means choosing to be happy and to sometimes “get out of the boat” and move beyond fears/shyness/your comfort zone to make new friends or to try new adventures. Happy thriving to each of you!
Peace,
Suzanne

Kenya Mafia

I had been at a Hope for Kenya Forum meeting, ironically enough, representing CAPI since no one else was available to go. Of course, at the time I did not know why Elizabeth agreed so adamantly when I called her that yes, I should go directly home since the meeting had run late. Turns out there had been an assassination of two activists around the time I was leaving. Oscar Kingara is the founder of Oscar Foundation Free Legal Aid Clinic here in Nairobi. He and his passenger were stuck in traffic as I would soon be when a hail of bullets killed them both. I do not really know all the details yet--of that or the riot that followed on the university grounds--but I am sure I will learn more tonight when I get home. Oscar apparently was NOT linked to the Mungiki Gang (aka Kenyan Mafia) as some reports are saying but I don't know that for sure yet either. As one friend has already pointed out, trouble seems to have followed me here but I am very SAFE if anyone happens to be wondering.

I hope to go to see Principal Melnyk's elephant tomorrow if I can find the matatu that will take me there. Stay tuned for photos next week of that if it works out.

Enjoy the weekend.

Suz

Empowerment for women

The C.A.P.I. office is cool in the morning. By the end of the day, it feels like a sauna. I cannot really complain about the cubicle I work at in Winnipeg any longer. There are four of us most days in this trailer you see pictured; next week Bridget will join us to make five. As typical in African culture, we have a good many visitors throughout the course of the day. Our desks are about an arm’s span apart. This morning I was working alone in the office while others were out on business.
Today is World Book Day so the three children and Yolande dressed up as characters from their favourite books. I gave them Hannah Taylor’s book Ruby’s Hope as a gift this morning. Hannah is a young girl who was moved by a homeless man she saw on the streets of Winnipeg when she was five. She has gone on to become a champion for homeless people and her Lady Bug Foundation has raised great sums of money. She wrote the book when she was 10 years old. I am sure if you google Lady Bug Foundation you would find out more information—Celeste, if you are reading this and want to add something, please do. I think Hannah is well on her way to become an amazing human being. We all need heroes and Hannah is an inspiration to kids and adults alike.
Empowerment and inspiration go hand in hand. Last night, we had a visitor for supper—a lovely woman from Uganda who made me laugh and think—a great combination. Yolande, Esther and I had a fascinating conversation about the empowerment of women. Someone like young Hannah has been empowered already. We were talking about how Esther felt that Ugandan women were more empowered than Kenyan women. They tended to be more self-sufficient. We discussed the changing role of African women in general. Yolande had said that Kenyan women picked the coffee or tea and sold it in the marketplace but the cheque always came in the man’s name. Times are changing as women say enough. They just need more education and chances to be independent.
The second photo is of the tabernacle at Tumaini House. I thought it showed an African woman in an amazing role of carrying Christ to the world. Maybe that is how women in Africa will be seen.
This morning Bob and I had a conversation around AIDS. He said that because death and sex are taboo subjects in Kenya, AIDS really was able to spread rapidly. He also mentioned that AIDS in Africa is not a moral disease—it is a disease of poverty, striking mostly women who allow men to use them sexually so that they can merely survive on a day to day basis. I am enjoying the conversations with this family and feel I get glimpses into Kenyan life that will be very educational.
Peace,

Suz

The chance of a lifetime

“The chance of a lifetime is not something to be taken lightly.” These words caught my eye as I flipped through “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat” by John Ortberg. He has a few good quotes from himself and others. For example, he says, “Walking on water means facing your fears and choosing not to let fear have the last word”, “walking on water means discovering and embracing the unique calling of God on your life” and waiting is by its nature something only the humble can do with grace.” He also quotes Henri Nouwen, “Community is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives”” and Lewis Smedes, “Waiting is the hardest work of hope.”

There seems to be a recurring theme in facing fears in some of the literature I am reading. Waiting to move beyond fears can also be a work of grace but I agree with Smedes in that waiting to achieve one’s dreams and goals can be the hardest work of hope. All these quotes have relevance to my life these days, even the community one, when I meet so many people and live in close quarters with them even for just a few days as I travel.

I hope I am not taking this chance of a lifetime lightly. It is a privilege to be here and this leg of the journey will probably be less active work-wise as CAPI prepares to do the audit. I have been in the office yesterday and today, working on the preparation of the books—just making sure papers are in order basically. Tomorrow I may get out to a Hope for Kenya meeting (dealing I think with the post-election violence training sessions—I will be briefed later today) since no one else is able to go. I will also sit in on a conflict transformation class at Daystar University so I won’t be totally bound to the office.

Nairobi is a huge city. I walk to work each morning—about 25 minutes—on a fairly flat plain, amidst the backfiring, smoggy matatus (buses) and the many others who chose to walk instead of drive to work. I use my leg brace as a precautionary measure on the uneven ground so that I don't fall. I get a lot of looks of curiosity at the "disabled"muzungu. I am living with Pastor Bob, Yolande, and their three delightful children. The first night I arrived, Yolande’s parents were there. Her father is a Masaii and I am not sure how we got on the topic of dowry but we had a fascinating discussion on how dowry is NOT buying a woman (not that I brought that point up) but shows care and respect for the family. Cows mean life and the payment of cows to the family means that they will be taken care of well. He invited me to come out and visit him and his wife (an equally fascinating woman) before I depart Kenya. They live about 1.5 hours from Nairobi, I think. “Come and see the big sky,” he invited me, making me a little homesick for the open spaces of the prairies.

I have enjoyed being here. The office is close to the Nakumatt, which is like a London Drugs, or a step up from a Wal-Mart. I am going to head over there for lunch today, as there are a few other shops that will give me some good options for lunch. On Saturday and Sundays, craftspeople sell their wares so I have decided I will walk over on Saturday to do a bit of souvenir shopping.
Lastly, I have to tell ya that on my way to work, I chuckled because God loves the colour purple here in Africa. As I walk I am greeted by many purple flowers of all shades here. It is a great reminder that God is good to me. Not taking the chance of a lifetime lightly means being aware, even in the smallest of creation, that God is in all things, and that all is Gift.

Ryan, welcome aboard! Please greet your family for me.

Amani,

Suzanne

Nairobi arrival

Jambo from Nairobi where I arrived somewhat safely after another little fender bender yesterday. Driving in Africa is a bit of an adventure but I have been lucky to have been in no serious car accidents. I managed to do everything I needed to do on Friday night. The lights went out but only miraculously for 15 minutes before coming back on. The taxi driver arrived 10 minutes early the next morning and we were not harrassed at all en route. His daughter had died the day before so I really could not be mad that he was 45 minutes late picking me up. In fact, I wondered what the heck he was doing picking me up at all! The accident happened in Nairobi, close to Tumaini House where I am staying.

I walked to English mass today and as the service began I spotted the KSL interpreter so I went over after mass and introduced myself and got invited to the Deaf Christian Community prayer service afterwards. About 15 or so Deaf people met after mass to discuss the readings and to pray. Three interpreters join them. Apparently three other Catholic parishes have interpreted services so I may get to meet more deaf people here. I find KSL harder to understand than Burundi sign language.

Tomorrow I start work in the little trailer CAPI has. I also move to Pastor Bob's home where I will spend these last five weeks with his family. Stay tuned for the continuing adventures, Kenyan style.

I have added a photo of me in the traditional outfit Fabien bought me.

peace,

Suz