Kwaheri Jambo Jipya

Trip Start Jun 25, 2006

Trip End Dec 15, 2006

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Flag of Kenya Mombasa, Kenya
Sunday, September 17, 2006

'Oh Happy Day' was the song the 'Going Away Concert' kicked off with and indeed it was but by the time they had got through their renditions of 'Doh a Deer', 'We are Happy Now', 'Jesus Loves You', numerous others and onto the grand finale, 'This Little Light of Mine', Mama Wardie was reaching for the hankies...

I can't believe my time there is officially up and that tonight, I'll not be fretting over lesson plans and what song I know actions to that might be in some small way suitable for African kids with no English - In the 4 weeks I ruled out the Timewarp, Macarena, The Chicken Song and Saturday Night - all for obvious reasons!(Well actually, I have decided to go back there for a little while next week too. Not to teach though).

The time has just flown in and while I can't say it was the easiest thing I've ever done, I do have to say it was easily one of the best things I've done, not just on this trip, but in life in general

All the family

. I'm not sure what I've taught the kids themselves in all honesty but they, and Christine in particular, have taught me more that I have probably even taken in yet and will only look back on and realise days, months, years from now. (And not just that I'm really not cut out to be a teacher long term..!)

Jambo Jipya is one of those places that touches your heart and I don't think leaves you ever. From the absolute lack of resources of any description, the excitement that the kids had when a piece of lino was bought to cover the dirt floor so they could sit on it, the pathetic and meat free meals that are devoured hungrily each day, the utmost determination and ambition of Christine that her children will grow up safe and healthy "to be doctors, footballers and teachers", the blase way they talk about HIV and death - it never once has ceased to amaze me in all my time there. I thought nothing of buying 87 bottles of coke as a bit of a going away celebration on Friday and as they took over an hour to drink them, Christine told me that to 'look at these children drinking a soda as if they were eating a goat!' Some of them had never had one before in their lives... You just want to bundle them all up and take them somewhere safe, clean and healthy. but then how would they grow up, not knowing their families or their communities or who they are, argues Christine and she's right.

Boys Don't Cry

So all you can do is your best for the short time you're there and try and stay involved afterwards to ensure 'Christine's Dream' comes true for all her children.

Bless her, she sat me down on Friday and told me that she didn't think I should go and that because her son doesn't need her help now, and probably knowing vaguely what I worked at back home, she told me she would like to help me set up a mobile phone or computer shop in Mtwapa village where I could have my business and still help with Jambo Jipya. What do you say to that in fairness? I promised her I'd be back and I absolutely mean it - in my role as now Jambo Jipya Irish Co-ordinator... So be warned all - you haven't heard the last from me on Jambo Jipya and if any of you ever venture this part of the world there's always going to be a warm welcoming hug and 87 sets of smiling faces to melt your heart.

p.s. More pics on http://www.flickr.com/photos/80717420@N00/sets/72157594286466129/