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| Dagoretti--crossroads between city and country |
Let me introduce you to my new(ish) community: Dagoretti!!!
From the end of August to the remainder of my time in Kenya, I will be
living/working here in Dagoretti Market.
Service:
Most of my time is spent in our literacy program, which
helps children who have dropped out of primary school catch up to re-enter
traditional school the next year. In the older class, we have students who are
around class 2 and class 4, but their understanding of different subjects
varies greatly. I try to work together with the teacher to appropriately
challenge each pupil; I usually teach class 4 because they speak more English
and I find inspiration to create games and exercises to help in their studies.
I spend my free time creating crossword puzzles for Math and English, which
they really enjoy.
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| Class 2 in our little university |
Also, part of my time is spent with the vocational school
girls, especially in the beadwork department. I am learning to make many things
(rosaries, bracelets, necklaces etc.) and it’s fun to join them as they work
too. On Wednesday afternoons, I usually
join them for games, which mainly involves getting very dusty in the church
compound.
My weekends are spent with the senior and junior youth
groups of the parish. Besides their weekly meetings, I have also attended a
Youth Mass at a nearby church, a music fest in the city and went to the market
with them. Both groups are welcoming, lively and love to sing. I really enjoy
my time with these groups--it’s my time to joke around, share stories and be a
normal 25 year old.
*Funny Story: The other day I was writing on the blackboard with a tiny
piece of chalk. Mid-word it jumped out of my hand and it startled me. The whole
class started laughing although a couple of the girls were trying to say ‘sorry!’
in the middle of laughing.
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| Getting my hair plaited in our technical school. |
Community:
What a lively community! The spirit of joy is alive among the six sisters in the Dago community. Suppers are full of stories and laughs and jokes. There is a great feeling of teamwork among the sisters in this community, which is wonderful to witness.
Three of them are at Tangaza University most of the day, but the remaining sisters help the mission run smoothly. Sr. Roselynn, Sr. Annah and Sr. Purity work with the literacy program, technical school and Mama Margaret project in our little compound. Also, although I have repeated many times that I am not called to religious life, they like to tease me and say I'm the seventh sister in their community.
*Funny Story: So, turns out I do a little happy dance whenever I am about to eat something I love (like yogurt, chapati or ugali). And, of course, Sr. Annah catches me every time, which causes us both to laugh out loud.
Neighborhood:
Technically, Dago is on the outskirts of Nairobi, but it is so
far away from the city that it feels like the country. Ndunyu (Kikuyu for
market) is considered a slum. Many of the homes are close together and very
cramped, wifi is impossible, plumbing isn’t really figured out and the primary
schools are overcrowded and dilapidated. But on the other hand, some of the
roads are transitioning to tarmac, many homes have electricity and there is a
general feeling of hope among the young people of the area. I immediately loved
the young people here for their joyful spirit in the face of challenges!
*Funny Story: Whenever I go to the market, I am called many names, like:
Wanjiku, Wanjiru, Wangechi, sister from another mother…and once ‘white man.’
haha
Weather:
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| Senior Youth killing their Choral Verse |
Nairobi county has higher elevation, so it doesn’t get as
hot as Embu did. That being said, the first month of my time here was rather
chilly. Every morning as I sat in the drafty church, I had to laugh at my
expectation of weather in Africa...I was so naïve. October is supposed to be
hot and rainy; the temperatures are slowly climbing and there are beginning to be daily thunderstorms! (which i absolutely love)
*Funny Story: It may be chilly sometimes, but I swear people wear heavy
marshmallow coats that are reserved for freezing temperatures back home. When I see people in them in 60 degree
weather, I can literally feel my temperature rising.
