Graduation in Kenya

One of the other representatives of Wayland Baptist University just gave me some of the photos he took while in Kenya. This is a closeup of Bella, the leopard that we saw while on safari. She has been the subject of National Geographic specials before. She was resting in a tree when this photo was taken. Click on her photo to see it larger.

One of the big events in Kenya was the graduation of eight students with a BA degree. Here is the lineup as we prepared to march to the field where the tents were set up.



These are the graduates trying their best to all smile at the same time. It was a challenge. We are standing on the grounds of the Brackenhurst International Conference Center. Yes, it stays this green all year long.


Oh, yeah, the Dr. Wayland thing. Well, I backed out, which turned out to be a smart move. The students all crowded around the plaza for the ceremonies and no one further than five or six rows back could see anything. Plus, the sound system was way inadequate; it would have been necessary for "Dr. Wayland" to hold the microphone right at his mouth. And this was all done in front of the new statue of Dr. Wayland that was just unveiled. Imagine acting the part of a character whose nearly double-life-size statue was behind you. Yeah.

Kazuri bead factory

One of the places that we visited with the college students was a bead and pottery factory which employs hundreds of women. It is not a sweatshop; the women are extremely grateful for the work as the company provides health benefits as well as school uniforms for the workers' children. They are all single mothers living in the Karen area near Nairobi and this factory is a place which pays living wages. Some of the women who work here walk miles to work each day; it is worth it to them. Kazuri Beads was started in 1975 as a project to develop employment opportunities for Kenyan women who had limited job skills. At first they imported clay from England and sold products locally. Today they process local clay and sell globally. A huge dry-erase board serves to chart orders indicating how many thousands of beads are needed each day.



When visitors stop by the factory, they are given a brief tour. The first stop is the machinery which mixes and prepares the clay. Bars of freshly pressed clay are stacked up to be taken to the women inside the shop. Next one enters the bead-making portion of the factory. This is a large series of rooms filled with tables where scores of women sit doing specialized tasks. Some are rolling clay into beads according to specific patterns. Others apply glaze in patterns and colors corresponding to the hand-written lists in front of them. Still others string beads into earrings, bracelets, and necklaces to create the final products listed for shipment that day. Between these three stages, the beads are fired (cooked) and cooled, sometimes several times.






The penultimate stop was the pottery production area. Fewer workers are involved in this process and many of the pots are created by men. Firing the pots takes several days and the number of patterns available are necessarily limited.



Of course, the last stop was the gift shop where one could see thousands of combinations of beads. While it is possible to buy loose beads, the greatest number of sales are of pieces already made up, either individually or in sets. The girls in our group spent many minutes considering and consulting before making their purchases.

Most of the women who work at Kazuri Beads were cheerful, at least in our presence. They chatted with one another, but kept busy. Our tour guide encouraged us to keep moving. I suppose that frequent conversations with visitors would hamper production. But the women were always glad to show us what they were doing. They produce some beautiful handwork. Cat is delighted to own some necklaces and bracelets from this community-minded enterprise. You can buy Kazuri beads online, but there is nothing like seeing the shop in person.

Seeing the animals

If you go to Africa, you have to see the animals, no matter what the original purpose for your trip. After all, God gave us this great variety of animals on the planet; we ought to view and appreciate what God has done. Our team did this on a couple of occasions. Trips to see the animals became the bookends for our Kenya experience this year.


The first opportunity was on the Saturday after we first arrived in Kenya. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust maintains an animal orphanage which focuses on orphaned elephants. Visit at noon and you can observe the feeding of the little pachyderms plus learn tons of information from the affable, experienced handlers. The babies are not terrified of people and will come up to the crowd looking for interaction. One learns quickly that squatting before a baby elephant is an invitation to play, and they think that play involves pushing. It's good not to wear your finest clothes when you make this trip.


Next we stopped off at the twiga farm. Well, at least that's what I call it. I can't remember the official name, but it is a preserve for a certain type of giraffe. The crowds love to feed these majestic beasts with long, sticky, purple tongues. Some of the giraffes have learned to open their mouths so visitors can throw nuggets of animal feed in. The giraffes approach visitors strictly for the food. To get a good photo of a giraffe head near your face, you have to turn your back on the animal and hold food out in front of you so the giraffe's head comes over your shoulder.

We ended our experience in Kenya with a safari to the Masai Mara, a massive wildlife preserve in southwest Kenya. This savanna continues south into neighboring Tanzania where it is known as the Serengeti. Normally the herds of wildebeests and zebras migrate north (into Kenya) with the start of the rainy season in August. But the rains started early this year, so there were plenty of animals to be seen. We saw lions (very close) and a leopard (who just finished a meal), hippos (mostly submerged) and giraffes (with babies), elephants, wildebeests, zebras, hyena, gazelles, impalas, topis, and one eland. I will just display a few photos to give you an idea. Click on any of the photos in this post to see a larger version.









Oh, yeah, did I mention the birds? Here's a male ostrich.



Next post I will display some more animal photos.

Contrasts

I have never met students so earnest, so willing to persevere, so intent on mastering a subject as the Kenyans who completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree offered by Wayland Baptist University through the Kenya Baptist Theological College in Limuru. The eight who graduated and were awarded diplomas on July 25 inspired praise and admiration from their fellow students, their teachers, and Baptist officials who attended the ceremonies. I have heard a number of student speakers at graduations through the years, but I never heard a speech like the one delivered by Francis Midega, graduating summa cum laude.

Francis described the changes in his life as a result of his studies, changes that impacted the congregation among whom he ministers. Then he spoke of what was missing. He rebuked KBTC administrators for limiting the educational experiences. He demanded to know why more women students were not encouraged to seek advanced education (two of the eight graduates were women). He challenged the moderator of the Baptist Convention of Kenya to address the fact that so few churches had called female ministers into leadership. This is a young man determined to see education make a difference in Kenya.


On Sunday, six of us Americans were finishing up a safari (more about that later) when we decided to accept our driver's offer to take us to a Masai village. Of all the people groups in Kenya, the Masai are most resistant to change. They have not adopted western clothing or living structures; they do not live in cities or have an overarching tribal governance structure. While some Masai have left their villages for education or for work as guards, many still live in traditional villages. Here you see the young men of the small village we visited. The one in blue (named John) is the son of the chief; he conducted a tour for us after collecting 1000 Kenya shillings (about $15 US) from each person. This money goes into a community fund to pay for teachers and health care.


The life of a Masai village revolves around cattle. The men tend them out in the savanna and bring them back into the village compound every night. The Masai drink cow's milk and cow's blood. For special events (three or four times a month), they will slaughter a cow for the meat. The women fetch water and firewood and build the houses, using dirt and cow manure to plaster the walls. They take care of the children and the cooking. More and more Masai are becoming monogamous, but one can still encounter men with several wives. In such a case, each wife will have a house and the husband will sleep in the houses on a rotation.


In the village we visited, the women displayed their beadwork as well as some items the men had carved. The income from sales of these items helps provide for community needs. The children are sent to a school where they learn Swahili and English. There were Christians in the village we visited; some of them had gone to church, a walk of about thirty minutes. John declared himself to be a Christian and we promised to pray for each other.

I have just found out that on the Thursday when our team was finishing up the Bible school in Gachie, a gang of about ten Kenyan men attacked a group of Dutch volunteers who were rebuilding a school (see this news article). Besides robbing the volunteers and the Kenyans with whom they were working, the thugs raped five of the Dutch women. As I reported in a previous post, one member of our team had been held at gunpoint on Monday.

So these days illustrate the different approaches by Kenyans to the strife, fear, and disease that menace the country. The Thursday thugs have adopted an anarchic "survival of the most violent" approach. The Friday graduates have opted for increased education and social concern. And the Sunday Masai have decided to withdraw into tradition. Which way will ultimately prevail in Kenya?

Education in Kenya

When we informed the schools in Gachie West that we would be around for the next few days, they invited us to speak to the children. The primary school (elementary through junior high) planned for an hour-long assembly. We thought we would be in an auditorium with a stage and electricity for the CD player. Yeah, right. When we pulled up in the matatu (minivan), students in red school uniforms started waving and coming over to shake hands. The bell rang and from all over the campus, children scurried to gather around the flagpole in the central yard. We were introduced to the principal who accompanied us to the meeting area. As we approached, the six hundred or so kids began waving and cheering. They formed a huge ring through which we passed to be introduced by the principal as follows: "These are Americans who have come to talk with you today."

Put yourself there. Surrounded by students who may never have seen someone from your country up close. You can say anything you want. You have an hour and no props. Go.

As previously posted, we sang and taught songs to them and took turns telling Bible stories using each other (and even the principal and an accompanying pastor) as the characters. When we asked for questions, they would shyly raise their hands, then duck in a fit of giggles if called on. I wound up being the de facto leader of our group, being the mzee (old man). I explained why we had come to Kenya and what we were doing just down the street. I gave a brief summary of the gospel. Then we sang our "Love, love" song and the assembly was over. The kids mobbed us. Each of us on the team must have shaken thirty or forty hands before the crowd began to dissipate in response to the clanging bell and orders from the teachers.

The principal wanted to talk with our team. He was a friend of Vincent, our host. They are both concerned about the physical as well as educational needs of the children in this community. The school has planted some trees and a few vegetables as part of the science classes. I urged the principal to establish a children's garden for which the children themselves could be responsible and from which they might produce enough food to provide meals for the poorer children. We suggested that the schools and the local churches develop a working, cooperative plan that would involve the community in preschool health and education. I promised that if they did, I would look for funding from the US. We prayed in the principal's office.

The next stop was the secondary (high) school where we had two hours with the freshmen class. They were seated in a single classroom and we sat behind a table. The students, though shy at first, were articulate and finally started asking questions which revealed a deeper level of interest than simply American entertainment figures (Michael Jackson is still very popular here). We discussed the value of a democracy and tough issues that these children face. They listed poverty, drugs, tribalism, and government corruption as being disruptive influences in their lives. One fellow, knowing that we were Christians, asked "Why is there suffering?" Others asked about the origins of HIV and AIDS. A boy asked me, "Why do some Americans call our people 'gorillas'?" It was a good two-hour discussion and they sat patiently, manifesting remarkable attention for fourteen-year-olds. Once again, I was able to summarize the gospel and direct them towards the pastor who accompanied us. It was a memorable experience.


I did not take photos of these visits. Here is one of the typical weather while we were there.

Back from Kenya

This was the shortest trip we have yet made to Kenya, only about ten days. There were three main activities that occupied our time. The first of these was running a Bible school for about 85 children aged three to eight. We did this for five days, about three hours a day, in a crime-ridden town named Gachie. It is one of three towns in Kenya renowned for producing criminals. Drugs are rampant, orphans are numerous, and AIDS is everywhere. One of our team members was held up at gunpoint just a block from the church where we were working. It rained nearly every day, so the yard and the streets were muddy. We did not have electricity in the building because every time the church has wiring and a meter installed, someone steals it to buy drugs.


But the seven of us wazungu (foreigners) had three to five Kenyans assisting us each day. They translated, restored order, led games and songs, and distributed snacks. In other words, they were vital to the operation. Vincent has been running a program for the smallest children in Gachie West so that they will be prepared to enter first grade. If the children cannot pass tests, they are removed from the (free) public schools and must pay for private school. So it is vital to the community that these children recieve some education. They were remarkable in their attentiveness and learning under the firm but loving care of Everlyne, an extremely dedicated and patient teacher.

For four of the days, we also worked with children from an academy run by Susan and Elizabeth. It caters to children whose parents can afford school uniforms and minimal fees. The academy meets in a church in Gachie East; at least, it was doing so while we were there. Because Susan and Elizabeth have decided to help out the Gachie West church, the pastor of the Gachie East church has told them to find another place to hold their academy. This is distressing news and we sincerely pray that the pastor will come to his senses.


The children taught us some games and songs; we taught them games and songs also. The song they remembered best went: "Love, love, let us love. Let us love one another, for love comes from God." They were wild about craft time, asking permission to use another crayon, anxious to apply stickers to their foreheads. At the end of the week, we asked questions about the Bible stories and they were able to answer all the questions. In this photo, you can see the two women leading a game. Across the road, a neighbor girl watched and danced along with the songs. When we handed out pencils to the children in the academy, we also gave some to the kids who were watching from the road.

Any time we went anywhere that children were around, they would say "Mzungu! Mzungu!" which amused the 17-year-old in our group to no end. Most of the places we went,, the children had never seen a white person up close. We were mobbed at the primary school where we acted out Bible stories and taught them some action songs (think about Cat and me doing the "Hokey Pokey" before 600 Kenyan children). Next post, I will tell you about the conversation with the principal.

Safari

While I attended the e-learning conference, Cat was on safari at Lake Nakuru. This salty lake attracts flamingos and pelicans in great abundance. In this photo, the pinkish white color is thousands of flamingos. Of course there are other animals to see as well. On the early morning trek of the safari there was a family of lions within several hundred yards of the campsite. This video shows them strolling out towards the lake. Cat took this video.

Busy, busy, busy

Wow, a lot has happened since last week! Our team (or members thereof) conducted a workshop at a church, visited an animal orphanage and giraffe preserve, went on safari, attended an international conference, and walked through mud to make evangelistic visits in the slums nearby. The photo is Cat with a little girl in a Christian day care center in the slums. Some of the kids were abandoned and living on the street when the center started caring for them. They get two meals a day, education, games, and love in a one-room facility (there are separate buildings for kitchen, storage, etc.)

Here is an example of a visit that Cat and I made in the slums with our fellow Christian and interpreter Peninah. We simply opened the gate to the yard and walked up to the closest house. A grandmother was washing some clothes, but she immediately stopped and invited us in. We sat on a wee bench and a stool. This woman loved Jesus and would start singing about how faithful God has been to her. We talked about children and about physical ailments (her eyes are burning and she has not been able to go to a doctor). We prayed together. She insisted on giving us a gift, so we took the two sweet potatoes she offered. When I said I would like to take her picture, she disappeared for a minute and came back wearing her black and white hat. Here is Cat, Mama Jane, and Peninah. Peninah told us that we were doing good with our visits because we were showing concern for people without being condescending. We listened to their stories and told them ours. When we could give them something we would (Cat gave her Bible to at 19-year-old named Lillian, I gave a packet of Kleenex to Mama Jane). The people have been warm and welcoming and mystified by white people. (Peninah could not believe that in the US, if you knocked of the door of a stranger, they would likely send you away without even asking your name, much less inviting you in.) It is humbling to get to know another culture.

Well, that didn't work

So you didn't care for "What's the story," huh? Let's see, you want to hear about our mission project to Kenya? Once again our church is sending volunteers to Kenya this summer. We have three teams this time so that the logistics won't be too overwhelming. Everyone is excited, but we are running into a snag.

Back in November, we received a floor plan of the building that our church is paying to have built. The idea has been that the summer teams would be able to do some construction work on this building. But we find out that there has been much discussion and very little action. The final plan for the building still has not been approved or submitted to government authorities for permits to build. It is only two months until the first team is supposed to go. What do you think the odds are that construction will be started even?

So we are having to explore other activities we can do there. (The non-refundable tickets for all 18 people have already been bought.) One possibility would be to accompany the Kenyan college students back to their villages to do ESL or Bible school or door-to-door evangelism. Sounds exciting, but I wonder if some of our team members will be up for that. I guess we will see what God makes available, won't we?