Student for the Day

I can’t stop smiling!!!  What a day!  Today was a day to mingle with the students.  First, we were invited to sit down for an assembly.

One young girl gave a stunning poem about how she was abandoned and a woman came and saved her. It was written to honor Ginger and all that she’s done for that community. Then, we were treated to a little African hip-hop, after which, we were all invited to join in. (You know I was the first to jump up and dance!)

 

The students went back to class and we sat with the spiritual advisor and pastor for that community.  David Ochieng is an amazing man with a big smile and a huge heart.  He filled us in on the plight of the students.  There were two parents there who talked about the issues of the neighboring area, particularly the garbage city. One was an elder of the community.

Another parent came and spoke.  She shyly talked about how much the school had helped and how grateful she was. She presented Ginger two gifts. One of them was a picture that represented how Ginger had helped carry the burden of their neighborhood. Then, she handed her a pot made from a gourd and said that it represented the water that she would have had to draw to water another’s garden, just so she could earn enough money to feed her children.  We were all in tears.

After lunch, we were allowed to sit in class with the students.  A few days earlier, one of the ladies and I had heard these beautiful voices echoing the halls, and we went to find them. They were so sweet to teach us the songs and then sing with us.  So, today, we took our cameras back to videotape it.  They started out too high, so it wasn’t as good and we had an audience of 50 or so students and visitors, so they were shy. But, you get the general idea.

 The amazing thing is that one of the singers was Christopher, my sponsored child!!!  I hadn’t met him yet the other day, so I didn’t remember that he was one of the four. (He’s the one leaning against the wall on the left.)

We stayed in their class. They were reviewing riddles. So, they would say their riddle in Kiswahili, interpret it into English and then we would try to figure it out. If we did, they would all clap. Then I told one. A few of students knew the answer, but they all clapped anyway,  Soon, they all were sharing them.  It was so much fun! And, it gave me even a better chance to see Christopher in a new environment.

The drive home was filled with joy as we chattered on about our day.  That school is truly a blessed place!