The first day we went to an HIV/AIDS project with the Kikuyu tribe. We were presented with a drama by children in the Compassion program, as well as testimonies from ladies who are now HIV positive. These ladies have begun a support group in their community that not only supports and encourages women who are HIV positive, but also encourages women and men to be tested for HIV. It is rampant in Africa - I could not believe the statistics I heard. One area that we went to, it was believed that 1 out of every 5 people are HIV positive. Compassion is working to increase awareness and educate people in these communities of HIV/AIDS and methods of prevention. The amazing thing about this project was to see the joy in the faces of these beautiful people and the hope that they have in Jesus Christ. The women that we met had several things in common, but the main one was that they did not find out that they were HIV positive, until their husbands died from AIDS. It is very common for men to have many wives in these communities, which is why the spread of HIV is so rampant. These women did not dwell on the fact that they were victims, though. They recognized that this is the hand of cards they have been dealt and they have chosen to step out and encourage others to find the same hope in life that they have found in Jesus Christ. There are so many stigmas that go along with being HIV positive - this was something that these women talked about so much - but the courage that they have to break free from those stigmas in order to educate and help others in their same shoes blew me away. I will never forget this day - it was so special to me for so many reasons. Here are some pictures from this day:
The HIV/AIDS support group:
Agnes, a lady from the support group, who invited Graham and I to visit her home:
The second day we visited a project with the Masai Tribe. The Masai are the brightest, most vibrant people I have ever come across. Not only in their dress (which you can see from the pictures) but in their eyes, voices, and precious personalities. When I have always thought of Africa, these are the people I have pictured. Bright clothes, bright beads, the stretched earlobes, long necks, shaved heads - absolutely beautiful. This was such a fun day and so insightful. I love learning about other cultures - it has always fascinated me so much - the Masai culture definitely did the same. Fascinating. Men have up to 20 wives, women do everything including fetching water, building the homes, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children. Children are often married off by their families by the time they are 14- this is indicated by lots of bright, beaded necklaces and rings around the necks of these precious little girls. Houses are made of cow dung, sticks, and grass, and the doors of the houses are only about 4 feet tall. On the way to our home visit for this project, I saw what looked like a dog being cooked over a fire...a feeling ran through me that it just might be our lunch for the day. I was wrong about one thing...it was a goat, not a dog. I was right about the other...it was lunch. Graham quickly informed me that the goat we were watching cook would be the same goat that we would later eat! What an experience! They brought the goat in for lunch - legs, head, everything still attached. No worries - a few hits with a Masai man's knife, while on the lunch table, and you are served your portion of goat. Although we joked about it and found the experience a memorable one in so many ways, the fact that these wonderful people had sacrificed one of their goat's for us, truly was so generous and kind of them. It was a wonderful day :) Here are some pictures:
Lunch...
Lunch...
The Masai women sang for hours...literally...just like this:
The third day we visited the Methare Valley Slums. This is the second largest slum area in Kenya, and the most dangerous in all of Kenya. As we were driving through the area to get to the Compassion project, I could not believe what I was seeing. Shack on top of shack on top of shack. Space issues is what causes the tension and danger in the Methare Valley. I clearly see why. Raw sewage, trash, chickens, goats, dogs, dirty water, children - all in the same area. The water that runs through the dirt, filled with sewage, is the same water that is used for cooking, drinking, bathing, and washing clothes. It runs into a big river at the back of the slum area...when we walked up to this river the smell was incredibly overwhelming, but more than that was the sight of children swimming in this river. Children with the biggest and brightest smiles I have ever seen. They know no different. Fighting back tears this day was near impossible. This was the day I was able to meet the little girl that Melanie and Reynolds sponsor, Esther. What a PRECIOUS little girl - I loved every second with her and her mom! Mel and Reynolds had sent a bag filled with toys, clothes, crayons/coloring books, bubbles, dolls, socks, a jump rope - all of which Esther was thrilled to receive :)
Esther :)
The Methare Valley Slums:
With Amy and Leigh - the other two Event Coordinators that went:
Esther :)
The Methare Valley Slums:
The last two days of our trip were spent at the Masa Mara game park, located in South Kenya, right on the border of Tanzania. We went on an evening safari and early morning through afternoon safari. Amazing!! Here are some pictures of what we saw:
