Karibuni Ndunyu

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.

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.

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:

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.