I will freely admit…I have been “slacking” on writing for the blog. Either I am very busy with teaching, coaching, having fun or when I have the time I am not in the mood to write. Now is my chance to fill you all in on my life in the last month. It has been both an incredibly active month while at the same time monotonous.
This week I am coming upon the half year mark of my time in Kenya—by now I am completely accustomed to life here while still homesick from time to time. During the last couple of weeks I have been more homesick than usual. It could potentially be because of the extra free time during the week or the fact that I am in the process of planning the last few months of my journey and deciding when I will be traveling back home. It is amazing to think about how much I have learned and gained already from the culture, the people, and the environment here. The more I reflect the more I acknowledge how lucky and blessed I am to have this experience. It will be great to be able to take what I have gained here and use it at home when the time comes.
I have come to realize that no matter where you are, the months after Christmas and the holiday celebrations become very routine and somewhat boring. The excitement from everything has died down and every week becomes more and more similar to the last. For me, I spend the weekdays in Mitahato teaching, coaching, and spending time with my girls while on the weekends I travel to Banana Town with Mary to spend time with the children and family there. The exciting events in my life take place while I’m either teaching, coaching, or spending time in Banana. The “boring” comes in when I am at the house waiting for … classes to come … or coaching to come … or Banana to come… (If anyone is familiar with Dr. Suess’ “Oh! The Places you’ll go” I am referring to the ‘waiting place’)
Teaching this term has been even more enjoyable than the last. I spend all of my time teaching at Gathirimu because of different circumstances at the primary school. I have no complaints about this because I am able to get to know the girls even better and learn about myself on a professional level. Since I have started teaching English and focusing more specifically in Life Skills I feel that both the girls and I have gotten a lot out of our experience together.
Last week, I taught a lesson on self-esteem in Life Skills. The lesson began with a motivational speech on body image, intelligence, and economic backgrounds. We focused a lot on ‘what is beauty?’ and the girls were really able to connect with the stories and comments I was making. The activity that followed enabled the girls to colorfully write on paper three different positive qualities about themselves. After they drew and wrote their specific qualities they used tape to cover the walls of their homeroom with these notes. When we were finished the walls were covered with comments like “I have beautiful eyes”, “I love my body”, “I am a caring friend”, “I am a good dancer and singer”, “I love my laugh and smile”, etc., etc., etc. I taught the lesson four times and every time I walked away feeling very motivated and inspired.Other lessons that I have taught in Life Skills have been about the Five Love Languages (a concept based off of a book and theory by a Christian counselor, Dr. Gary Chapman—I encourage everyone to read!), cooperation/teamwork, emotions and managing stress, HIV/AIDS awareness, and multiple intelligences. After each lesson I teach, the students always come up to me and eagerly ask more about the subject and what we will learn about next week. It is very encouraging that the girls are connecting so much with each topic. Their responses express that my presence and time spent with them is positive. I am always thinking about if I am using my time to help and volunteer as productively as I can—Life Skills has definitely been a key indicator that my time here has influenced at least some lives in a positive manor.
Coaching has provided me with time to enjoy an activity that I love and to spend more time with my students in a non-academic manner. Going to practice after school is one of my favorite parts of the day. I really enjoy being with the girls and teaching them new skills every practice. Unlike sports and competition at home, in Kenya, students start playing sports competitively in high school. This gives me the opportunity to teach the girls skills at a very basic level and continually build on their newly learned abilities. I am constantly amazed at how fast they are able to learn and develop. I have to give credit to the Valley Catholic coaching staff and my dad for teaching me everything I know about basketball and how to coach/teach it in a patient and fun way. Last week we had our first competitions of the year. We went on Wednesday to a school called Gitwe for a “Friendly” (the equivalent to a pre-season game) and then again on Saturday for official competitions. Unfortunately, the other coach and I were only able to take twelve of our players to the games due to the implementation of a C- or higher grade requirement. We had to tell our top fifteen girls that they had to stay at school –to say that they were unhappy about this is an understatement to say the least. This was the first time in my time at Gathirimu that the girls had put me as the “villain”—typically the girls always say if you have a question or concern go to Teacher Hope. When I didn’t give in and let those students that didn’t make the requirement go to the games the girls were very upset. This led to some of the girls refusing to go to practice and a talk/inspirational speech made by me to all of the players. We talked about how they have a chance to play and go to competitions if they work hard and do their best to achieve—we (as the coaches) are not against them, we are rooting for them and are always there for support, help, and encouragement . Those that are below a C- are very close to the requirement and they have the chance to rejoin after the midterm exams this week. We are hoping for the best and will know what our team consists of by the end of next week.
Every weekend since school started has been very active and enjoyable. I am always looking forward to the weekends and going to Banana. In general, I love spending time in ‘Bano’ because of the people—Michel, Jimmy, Morgan, cucu and guka (Mary’s parents), Morris, and every other family member or friend that lives there. I don’t think there has been a dull moment when I am there for the weekends.
In early January a student of Josphat, from Portland State University, came to visit and spend about a week with us (both in Mitahato and Banana). It was nice to make a new friend from home and be able to discuss our journey—though similar, our time in Africa has been very different. Later in January, we spent a few weekends ending all of the celebrations from Peterson and Winnie’s wedding in November. A common Kikuyu tradition within weddings is for the newly married couple to have another get together a few months after the wedding to celebrate a ‘thanks’ to all of the people that contributed and made the wedding possible. This typically takes place at the groom’s parent’s house and includes a lot of eating, speeches from the elders, and praise and worship. Another (the last) wedding related celebration tool place last weekend and it included the wedding party exclusively. We all got together and went to the new home of Peterson and Winnie. We ate, talked, prayed, and celebrated the success of the ceremony. 
Two weekends ago I went to the Rift Valley with Morris to venture around Lake Naivasha and Hells Gate National Park. We both love hiking and adventures so we decided to spend the weekend touring the ‘Pride Lands’ from The Lion King (Hells Gate). I have been living in the lands of many amazing wild animals and I have yet to really experience the true Kenyan or safari wildlife. I have been very eager to see my favorite animal since I arrived in Kenya. Finally, six months later, Morris decided that it is about time that we see some zebras! We rented mountain bikes and road all around the national park—we saw zebras (so amazing!), giraffes, wild hogs, antelope, monkeys, and many different types of birds. In the middle of our bike ride we stopped to walk around and explore the gorge in the middle of the park. The park has guides you can pay to show you around but we opted to walk on our own. As we began walking around, one of the local Masai boys decided to join us—he ended up showing and explaining everything about the gorge. It was amazing to hear and learn all that he knew about the land. Although it was a short trip, it was one of the most fun adventures—especially because of all of the beautiful zebras I got to see! This trip has also gotten me even more eager to travel around Kenya to see all of the rich and beautiful land. Come June, I will be touring as much of Kenya as I can. 
Other than teaching, coaching, and active weekends…the days, weeks, and months, keep trekking on as I live my life in Africa. I am active in many more responsibilities at home in Mitahato. I cook every day for Mary and I which is really enjoyable because I am learning how to prepare all of the traditional Kikuyu foods. I also get to clean the house, help clean the compound, and fetch water. The only real task that I have not been able to do yet, and that I am eager to do, is hand washing clothes. Mary is always so quick to help and clean them while I am at school. It might sound funny, but I really enjoy helping at any small task that I am able. It’s important to me to do everything I can to help and be as much a part of the family as everyone else.
The days are running. I have about five more months left in Kenya. The moments that I stay idle or that I am missing home I remind myself that at some point my time here will come to an end. When I am packing my bags and getting ready to fly home I want to be able to think and say that I enjoyed every minute of my experience and that I do not regret anything. This means continually staying active and exploring whenever I have free time. There is an infinite amount of things to learn and experience here and I want to know it all!
Again, I will try to write more often rather than waiting so long. There is a lot of culture to share and hopefully my next blog will focus more on the many cultural elements. If you have any questions or there is something you want to know about don’t hesitate to ask and I will definitely explore and explain to my best ability.
Enjoy the winter breeze and I will enjoy the summer heat. :)
