Well – it came round so quickly – I hate goodbyes. I got picked up by a Taxi – and had to peel to small boys off me as i got in. I’ve never seen so many tears, both from the children and me. My heart broke – when one of the older boys asked if i was leaving forever, and if we would ever meet again. He continued on to say everyone leaves, and when was he going too. I do wonder if how soon i can be able to come back. Cheryls has touched me unlike any other place. Its so hard to explain how much – but the children are so beautiful, greatful, selfless, patient – and they have had to go through so much.

One of the boys – James (20) is one of my closest friends. I’m not sure if its because he plays Rugby and loves Australia, or because we are the same age. But we hit it off instantly, and its a friendship i hope to contiue over the distance. I asked him if i could post his story – and he agreed. So here is just a snapshot at one life at Cheryls. He calls this story his escape – and to him and his sister (15) it is. At the age of 10 he made the decision to take his youngest sister and get out. He didn’t know where they were going to go.. but they walked more than 4 days to the Capital of Kenya – Niarobi. What they left behind was an alcoholic father who beat their mother to death in front of them. The police arrested him – but he was allowed out until trial. For his whole life, there was abuse – but he was the one to stand up for his two sisters. He was the one to find food – which sometimes only happened every few days. He tells me how hunger pains disapear after 2 days, and that thirst was not something they experienced until they came to Cheryls and had unlimited water. Sam (director) was the one that picked them up off the streets, and took them into his care. Sam explains how much anger James had – and it has taken over 7 years for him to feel safe and loved. Recently they had to go back to their home town – as we needed documents for his sisters passport. When they discovered we needed to see their father, ive never heard such silence. We sat in the car as he approached, and James looked ready to cry both in pain and anger. Something i never want to experience again. You have to wonder what was going through their fathers head – if their was regret or any love. James and Mumbi have only just got over their visit – and i hope that their life will go back to normal. James is now the oldest at Cheryls and has just finished form 4 (grade 12) – he is wanting to study Law, and i believe he will be ok. He is now a well adjusted adult and the rest of the children respect him and look up to him for advice and help. He is going to be my most missed.

There are many stories – each child with their own. Its suprising how much they let you in. And its such a privliage to be able to be let in. I’ve listened to many of their stories – some worse but all unimaginable. Its hard to sit their as they show you photos or tell you vivid pictures without crying – so most of the time we just lay and sob. Its good for them, and good for me – I never knew what to expect – and everyday at Cheryls is a beauty all of its own. I love each of the children that I have had contact with. And i’m never going to forget their faces. Cheryls is a place that lets hope and love fill the lives of the most innocent and pained children. And i am so grateful to be able to be apart of something so magical and beautiful. This is a place where i could continue to come back too. And I will.

This will be my last blog before i arrive home on the 14th. I looks foward to showing everyone the pictures and videos that the children have taken. Please if you ever want to sponser a child let me know – as i know 100 beautiful children that would be forever greatful for your love and support.

Happy New Year! I’ll see you soon.

Hey all,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – sorry for the delay with the first one but its been pretty full on.

I can’t believe that I only have 4 days left with the children – this month has gone to quick,  i wish i could stay for longer, but alas money is in dire need haha and i should come back for school!!

Christmas was amazing, and the children loved it.  The days leading up to it i was sitting in the boys dorm and chatting with a few of them about Christmas and whats their favourite part, and does it feel like it and so on.  Collins (14 years) blunty said ” what does Christmas feel like?”  I believe my heart broke then and there. But for most of them thats what its like – many have never had a christmas and some didn’t even know what it was.  So for the day – us volunteers wrapped up 150 presents (most of them donations – but we spent a lot too), they all got a book, a lolly bag and a small toy. I got James (20) his first football (he plays in a team but didn’t have one). On Christmas eve i slept with the children, well sleep wasnt so much what happened – we danced all night haha i believe i got an hour sleep between the hours of 4 and 5am. But it was worth it. Then on Christmas they got their special breaky – jam and peanut butter on bread. Then there was Church!! Then we set up for lunch – two long tables with crackers and sodas for all. Lunch was chicken (more about the poor chicken later), and rice and chapati (cooked flour and water – yummy). We were all stuffed. That afternoon i took some of the boys down to play rugby – i have never been so dirty in my life – they love to tackle haha. Just before dinner we opened all the presents – they loved it – the smiles were beautiful. Then came the fireworks – yes they were spoilt. We all chipped in and got so many. We let them off the roof and of course they hadnt seen them before and their mouths hung open!! Ottis (3.5) ” can i catch them??” “where did they go”. And of course the older boys were like can we light them. And the girls just screamed and giggled hehe. After fireworks we settled down and watched the movie elf. Finally got into my own bed at 12am that night.

Yesterday was another huge day for the children. Again us volunteers chipped in and hired a bus for the day. The first stop was the elephant orphanage – where we got to see all the baby elephants being fed. We even got to pat them!! Then we went onto the National Park – where we had our picnic lunch (oranges and chips), and then started our safari. For 3 hours we drove around the park ( its huge, and doesnt really have fences – just imagine middle of australia with a few trees here and there). We saw zebras, giraffs, warthogs, and elephants and wildbeasts and rhinos!! They all loved it – plus the bumpy bus gave us all a good game of corners

Anyways – life is treating me well. My health and spirt is high. And everyday i’m learning more and more swahili!! I’m getting good!!! I love all the children. Although its hard not to have favourites. Soon they will all be going back to school, the highschool children have started to pack.

Some difficulties have been about Kenyan time. We have this one boy – Peter (12) who has cancer – and has a huge growth on his head – which you can see getting bigger. But their is no real urgency and no matter how many times we make the trip to the hospital and how long we wait, we never get any real answers. He had tests done 3 weeks ago and still haven’t come back. Its hard for us and the children to see him in pain, and panadol doesn’t really help. Its hard – as back home you know that if you need a treatment its available. Here trying to get funding for the operation is tough, as well as payment for his stay at the hospital which is 3 months at least. He is still in high spirits – but he knows that their is a long journey ahead of him. All we can do is smother him in kisses and hugs and hope by some miracle we find the money.

The Govenment here is pathetic – not only is it corrupt but it has no heart at all. First of all – the police turned up the other day when it was just me and the house mother present with the children (i believe they waited till they saw the men leave), and then came barging in and started beating Christine because we hadnt paid for the water we were using. Which is bullshit – as Cheryls hasn’t used Government water for 8 months now – as they no longer supply it. If we have had no rain we refill our tanks ourselves and pay 4000 kes each time to the private business. The children were scared, and i was yelling at James to call sam (the director) to come quickly. But Christine was rushed to hospital and we were left with a 30,000 kes fine!!! The second thing is – we have just recieved a letter saying that James and Lilly (20) no longer can live at Cheryls, as they have finished school. Both have been there for 10 years, and have no where else to go. Kenyan policy is they can’t start uni for a year, so thats not an option, and trying to find a job is going to be near impossible. So what to do? Sam is at a loss, and had a break down in our meeting the other day. Its hard for him, as he has no option. They are both great adults and they help out a lot with the smaller children. 

Anyways – this is a long entry. I hope all is well. Love you and miss you.

Meg

My poor phone has left me.  Stolen!!! And the guy even had the nerve to pick it up and say you have the wrong number!!! Its a bloody Australian Number and your Kenyan you idiot!!!! Worst thing is we know who did it – one of the local highschool volunteers. He also left with Sophies wallet ( at least she is leaving on Thursday).  Its frustrating – as the poor kid who gave him my phone feels so guilty ( we always let the children play with our phones and cameras) – went and bought him sweet and gave him a big kiss – as we all trusted the guy, and the child (Peter) did nothing wrong. We are all wondering if he will be stupid enough to turn up tomorrow to collect his letter that he asked for. lol!! I hope so. The eldest boy (james) at the Childrens home was so angry – he was telling me that he will track him down for me – i had to laugh. All the children feel violated though – someone came into their home – one of their own and stole and its something they are so against.

Anyway apart from all the drama – On Sunday i took 3 girls out for some lunch and Christmas shopping. We had a ball. Everything that was pink they wanted haha. So tomorrow myself , Dan and Sophie are going Christmas shopping for the Children. The boys are getting new soccer boots and the girls some jewellery and nail polish. Plus we are also making a big photo album to give the children as a whole… it looks cool.

We have had a lot of rain – which makes things very muddy. But also the lightning has cut all electricity – so no lights or hot water. Showers are dreadful lol!!! But we are all surviving – dirty and cold haha!

Anyhoo internet is telling me to get off  – very slow.

Well it’s Sunday – and here that means Church – and its a crime if you don’t attend! Last night my host told me we would leave at 9am – and me not being a Church goer said “to where”? and boy oh boy the look I got, hence i have now experienced my first Kenyan Church morning. Sigh, not only was it in Swahilli  – I had to get up and speak!!!! So not what I was planning on doing on a Sunday Morning

Anyhoo – life at the childrens home is amazing. There are 4 volunteers all of them American. I get on well with two but the other two are a bit “let me change the world” and still pretty young, so its hard to hold a conversation with them. On friday we let the Children practice their Christmas play and then we decorated the Christmas tree and hall – it looks so good. Then as a treat we bought icecream and chocolate sauce and had a movie night. Go the Lion KING!!!

Away from the Childrens home – i have settled in and am suprised at how much like a local i’m becoming. I know which fruit stores to go too, and how to avoid seeing grown men line up and pee in public – yes i stared the first time – its hard not too when you have 10 naked butts staring at you:P I’ve also braved the public transport a few times – and thats enough to give you a rush. These little vans are the main type and apparently only allowed to fit 14 people – yet up to 24 people can sqeeze into them. And then its a race with no rules – no longer are there sides of the street, if there is space then you go, even if there is not space you go and just hope that the other cars break! I don’t think i breathed that first time – but now i just squeeze in and laugh.

Jambo,

Just a quick entry as I am about to run out of time . I have been here for 4 days, and i’m loving everymoment. Although i do crave a shower with running water Oh and maybe a toilet hehe. But i’m not complaining!! The children at the home are gorgeous if not a little naughty. At the moment there are no classes so we are practising our Christmas Play!! I’ve also watched the boys play their last soccer match for the year.. they WON!! and wow were they good. They don’t have age groups – just boys from 8 to 17 – and they all have amazing skills.

The place I am staying is about an hour walk from the childrens home – and passes right through the Market- so i pick up breaky on my way there – fresh fruit usually plus lots of water. The lady im staying with is |named Alice – and she is lovely and an awesome cook Mostly vegetarian so i’ve found my rightful place . I also share a room with an another Volunteer from America and we get along great. Next weekend we are catching a bus overnight to go to the ocean together – i cant wait .

Loves Meg