I was looking through my notebook today and found this list/poem/reflection that I wrote on June 23, about the day of our first GET UP (Girls Empowerment Team of Umoja Project) seminar at Bar Anding’o Primary School. I thought I would share, not because it is high-quality writing or profound, but because it gives a glimpse into my life in Kenya these past 6 weeks. A glimpse into GET UP. A glimpse into my daily wonderings, challenges, joys.
23 June 2012
- 6 AM wakeup – I’m actually cold, what? Real wakeup was at 5 AM when Mama started making phone calls – turns out ceilings are really great when available.
- Sponge bath – use only 1 wet wipe, must conserve for the whole summer. Clean feet last.
- “Can we assist you?” leads to boiling milk and eggs together. Note: need bigger muscles for fanning jiko (charcoal cook stove).
- Hit 4 people getting in and out of matatau (crammed 14-passenger van for public transport) with 375 toothbrushes and 2 parachutes. Whoops…
- Have 2 conversations in Swahili on way to school. Beat the teachers to work. Holla!
- Are taken into the classroom, Leonard (head LINK teacher for Umoja) tells the girls to smile. Suddenly we are starting, begin with introductions – “I once was also a class 5 girl (but I have no idea the struggles you’ve already faced).”
- Stand awkwardly by girls washing their hands – must improve my improvised friend-making.
- The girls’ gums all begin to bleed and the toothpaste burns their mouths – semi-fail.
- Parachute loveliness/insanity beings. Their smiles are their own ‘words of encouragement’ to me.
- My own words for empowerment are jumbled and I am unqualified by life to stand before them. They are stronger than I will ever be.
- The colors and laughter are imprinted in my soul.
- Power is out and I write by choice – at some point I should find some profound conclusion I suppose.
callie daniels-howell 