Arriving back at the community center/ kitchen all the children climbed out of the van and we moved into a large shady area sitting in orange chairs in a circle. I sat in between the two sisters with their parents on my left and Kailale's family on my right and the WV staff across from me. My sponsored children are sisters Komusea and Emase and brothers Kailale and Etabo.
Komusia Family-- Lokicher Community (70 km away)
dad- Moses, almost 7 feet tall
mom- Margaret
daughters- Komusea (age 11) Emase (age 7) Amuria (age 13) Moit (age 3)
son- Erupe (age 6)
Sukuta Family-- Lokori Community
dad- Sukuta Loongor
mom- Rosa
daughters- Ropiyo (age 13) Esinyen (age 5)
sons- Kailale (age 14) Etabo (age 4) Leman (age 16) Lodwar (age 9) Lobeleny (age 7)
The Komusia family started . . . Dad greeted me and said over and over and over just how happy they were to finally meet me. To them this time together was like Christmas. Mom greeted me and said she was very happy to meet me. And that with all the changes in the plans of my trip they didn't really believe I was coming until they saw me face to face. (The family traveled to Lokori the previous night and would stay until the next morning to go back home). Even once they traveled to Lokori and saw the plane landing they didn't really believe it was me until they saw my face. The dad wanted to let me know or make me aware of their situation back at home and how the family wanted to change to a better school for the girls and to do this they needed more money. He was looking to me for these extra funds. And to make sure he received the fund he needed my home address.
SIDE NOTE . . . As hard as it for me to write this is the truth-- WV informed me that my address and other person information is strictly kept confidential and that I am not to give my address, email, or phone number to the families directly. It is their policy that all communication must go through WV. Looking back on the day and after talking with WV staff and Emily's parents I have learned that even here in Africa families are looking for a free ride just like some in America. The father was very persistent during my time there that he NEED my address to have direct communication lines with me. And as much as I want to be able to help this family I do not want to enable them either. WV is all about helping the entire community, providing outlets for families to get out of poverty, and building a better world for children. And that is what I just love about WV!!!! I also learned that my sponsorship does not provide any direct cash flow to the families but allows them to enroll their child in school and cover all related costs- school fees, books, housing during school, supplies, uniforms, and meals. Plus sponsorship funds go towards building schools, dormitories (all students stay in "boarding" type schools), irrigations systems, loans for families, food, health care, and other project programs.
After WV staff extensively explained to the father about their policies with sponsors I was able to talk with Kailale's mother, Rosa. She was very soft spoken and strong in her faith. She said that ever since she knew that Kailale was sponsored (just over 5 yrs ago) that she began praying daily to someday meet me face to face. She is very happy that the Lord provided this wonderful opportunity for us to meet in person. She was very happy to meet me and glad that I was able to see their home. Also, she spoke of how the sponsorship has impacted their lives and that Kailale attending school was very important to her. Education is way for the children to make better lives for themselves and grow up to become God-fearing independent adults.
Then I had the floor . . . I was just so overwhelmed with happiness to be able to finally meet these children and their families that I had no words to adequately express my emotions. I also said that I was very happy to finally have the opportunity to meet them and that I consider their families to part of my family. I informed them in my room at home I have a large bulletin board with all their letters and pictures. And that all the guests that come visit my home I tell them about WV and my sponsor children. That even my room mate Nicole just recently sponsored a child and that my cousin Apryl did too!! I explained that I am a huge fan of WV and just completed my first marathon wearing a WV shirt.
Then the families and I were able to interact with questions- just basic get to know you questions. Then the families expressed to me their worries and concerns and how I could pray for them. The Komusia family stated first for good health for the children, education for the children and that someday the children are able to become independent adults. The Sukuta family stated that first for the children to grow up as God-fearing adults with a strong relationship with the Lord. Also that the children remember to pray for me in their daily prayers and that maybe someday in the future the children can sponsor WV children just like me.
STORY TIME
I read to the families and children "You are Special" by Max Lucado. Its a story about carved wooden people named Wemmicks made my the woodworker Eli. The Wemmicks give gold star stickers to the "good/ wonderful/ smart/ beautiful" Wemmicks and grey dots to the "bad/ poor/ dumb/ ugly" Wemmicks. One Wemmick named Punchinello was given a lot of dots and that made him so sad he stayed indoors. Then one day he meet a girl named Lucia who didn't have any dots or stars. It wasn't that people didn't give them to her it is just that they didn't stick. Lucia explained to Punchinello that she visits Eli everyday and that he should go visit him to find out why her stickers don't stick. So Punchinello went to meet Eli. Eli explains that all that matters is what he thinks of him not the Wemmicks and their stars or dots. And that he thinks that Punchinello is very special. So Punchinello believes Eli after a short discussion and a dot falls off.
Afterwards we had a discussion with the children to explain the meaning behind the book as well as questions. All of the children were very shy and didn't say much.
MY CHRISTMAS
As I handed out the backpacks to each of the sponsored children, smiles came to their faces. Each child received a backpack filled with school supplies, small toys, clothes, and pictures of me with my family & friends. The two sisters opened the backpacks with huge smiles lighting their faces. Komusea just after opening it grinned showing all her teeth then closed the bag with her hands looking at her parents. Then she opened the bag slightly peeking inside and shut it again this time looking at me. Then she opened the bag again taking out the baby doll for everyone to see. It was soo wonderful!! Then little by little each of the children looked through their backpacks finding all the items I purposely had placed inside for each one of them. I handed Kailale the frisbee and he looked very confused so Moses showed him how to use it. I handed blankets from the plane ride to each of the families and a jump rope. Also, the books by Max I divided between the two families. Then after very quiet thank you's from the children the WV staff and I walking into the kitchen for a coke. (Only Coca Cola products are here in Kenya).
Touring of Lokori ADP
Moses and the other WV staff and I piled into the vehicle to see two of the program projects. I am very glad Frances (the driver) knew where we were going because to me I did not see any roads just dirt and bushes. Along the drive we passed male children herding goats and cattle, women and female children carrying large containers of various shapes, sizes and colors full of water on their heads, homes made like the Sukuta's family, and many people just walking carrying wood or other items. Then we drove up this very steep hill like those in San Francisco but it was made from dirt and rocks.
At the top we got out and Moses pointed to the farm lands that benefit from the new water irrigation system in the community named Lokubae. Current drought conditions had prevented any crops this year and the storage area did not have any crops either. Last year the farmed area was full of many green crops such as maize and a grain similar to millet. The community would be able to provide for all the families (about 2000) and fill the storage area for later use. But this year due to the severe drought they would be asking the Kenyan government for food aid.
The Moses showed me from the hill top another community named Morelum. He explained this is where the new school buildings and recently completed boys dormitory was located. This community also has about 2000 families, covers 1000 acres and currently has just over 800 children enrolled in school. The boys dorm was completed just this summer and current construction is already underway for a new girls dorm. Of all the school buildings and dorms for this community just over three-fourths were possible from WV sponsorship funds!! After a few pictures we piled back in the car to see the school and dorms up close. In the car Moses explained that the water irrigation system for this community will be turned over to the people or completed in 2012.
LUNCH . . . Do I want to even ask??
After touring the ADP and running short on time we made our way back to the Lokori community center/ kitchen. All of the children and their families were still there and the kids playing ball games. I sat down at the table with many dishes infront of me with lids covering the contents inside. I knew that the Turkana people mostly eat meat and all kinds of parts and animals so I didn't know what was in store for lunch. Nancy (WV staff) began removing the lids I quietly asked her if I wanted to know what I was eating? She explained that the dishes contained fried goat intestines, fried goat stomach, fried goat liver, goat stew (legs/ thighs with potatoes in a broth), noodles, rice, and chipatis (like a large tortilla but more oily). I carefully surveyed everyone else (WV staff- Moses and those I had traveled with) all eating the meat. I knew that it was safe to eat being completely cooked, not raw. So I thought well I want to experience everything that this trip has to offer so I tried a little of every thing on the menu. (YES FOR REAL!) The stomach and intestines were very salty and a bit rubbery. The liver was dark and also salty. And none of it tasted like chicken!
GOODBYES
After finishing our meal quickly (because we were running out of time) I walked outside to see all the children and parents sitting eating the same meal I had just eaten. They had bowls, all filled to the top and used their hands as utensils. I said I had to be leaving now. I sat beside the children and Moses took more pictures and I hugged the children good bye. Kailale's mother washed her hands quickly and made her children do the same even though they wanted to keep eating. All of them gave me hugs and big smiles! Moses (Komusea) asked me again for my address and I explained he would have to ask Moses (the ADP director). He kept persisting then Muthoni came to my side, grabbed my hand, and said we had to be leaving.
BACK TO NAIROBI
All 5 of us loaded back into the plane and Alex, a teacher doing a internship with WV also joined us. This was his first plane ride ever and he and I shared the back seat. He was going to stay with family near Nairobi for the holiday. He and I listened to my iPod playing various praise and worship music the whole flight. Shortly after take off I felt so car sick and the small plane with turbulence and limited air flow didn't help. About halfway into the trip the plane was shaking a lot and so was my stomach. I could feel the color in my face draining slowly. I removed a small bag from the seat back pocket and saw the contents of my lunch again (and I did not take a picture of it). Alex patted my leg and said its going to be okay. The next hour was the longest hour. It included rain, strong winds, more turbulence, and more vomiting. Once we landed I was sooo happy to not be in the tiny plane and on solid ground.
That concludes my World Vision experience in Lokori. I would not have changed anything well except maybe the vomiting on the flight back home. It was just such a blessing to see the children's faces, to hear their voices, and feel their hearts beating as we hugged. I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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