Expect the Unexpected & Live life to the fullest

October 29th, 2008 by Lexis Beattie

ALLO ALLO!

wow it has been a while since I have written a journal eh. Sorry, living a hectic life and time keeps running away from me. So much has happened since the last time i wrote, and everytime i do write, i ahve more to say, but write less because words are not strong or long enough to explain how i feel. First of all, everything is great, with everyday comes a new adventure, the only thing i have to fight is time, because it is quickly running out!!! I wish you could all be here with me so that I would never have to go home!So my kiwi mom nat Left on the 15th, it was Jayne and I, (like sisters) we got along very well, she is also from new zealand. Then a new volunteer came last tuesday, Gabi,from Utah, she just turned 20 yesterday so we shall celebrate. So the 3 of us make a great team and I love it. I host family officially feels like a real family, I am so in love with them all, mom especially! The first thing that happened since i last wrote was a visit to a part of town i had never been too-Civiil Servant, Donduras, and korogocho Slums. There Jayne and I met up w a lady named Jayne also. She is the founder of an NGO V.olunteer C.ouncils of K.enya. (VCK). She is an amazing woman, and what she does is even more amazing!The goal of the organization is to reach out to the marganalized groups of the society. These groups involve the HIV infected, the dvlpment of the slums, general clean ups, schools for the children, hospitals and doctors available, find sponsors for children, orphans, get the youth off the streets (met some guys who were homeless or stuggling and now run a barbershop- 1 of many xamples), Masai projects, councelling and evrything you could possibly imagine. SOmetimes porjects such as these are hard to trust, but this one is 100% truthfull, effective and trustworthy-the ppl who work within it sacrifice what they have in order to help others-ending up with no monetary reward, but no monetary value is enough to re-pay them for what they do. That day I went to Visit a lady in teh slums who is Hiv positive, a mother of 2 and grandmother to 1. They live off of nothing, did a little councelling, but even just stopping by brightens their day, minimal effort makes all the difference to someone else. That day, I will never forget, it has inspired to to start my NGO, just like i have always dreamed of, and has convinced me that it actually is possible. That night, I went to meet my frnds in town because Martine (another volunteer) was leaving in 2 days, so we celebrated. On sunday, it was Sandra’s 9th birthday, so a huge party was thrown for her, the parties we have for our kids at home just got schooled by this one. Holy crap pure luxury, twas nuts. It was so wierd being in a slum w the poorest ppl and then 24 hrs later being w some of the richest ppl. There r so many rich ppl here that dont even think about the poor and do nothing to help and when they get enough money leave the countrry wout a trace. Its a huge problem here that I notice more and more everyday. Mom went to Mombassae(along the east coast) for 3-4 days, so I named queen of the house-incharge of everything, so overnight i became a cook, nurse, grandmother, mother, wife and teacher. OOFFF so many expectations, but it was cool, i have now expereinced almost all the aspects of African life, just dont have my donkey as method of transport yet! Lately I have spent alot of my time bringing children to the clinic, sick ones to follow up on their cases and new ones who have fallen sick. Went to VCT (voluntary councelling and testing ) clinique for AIds with Rachel. SHe is 8,and were told that she is HIV positive. Wow, i never thought i would b the one to be hearing that. So had to back to orphanage and let Btrice n Stephen know, twas horrible, she was so sick and in so much pain. Then brought 4 children to eye specialist, the doctor came strictly to c these kids, thought twould cost me an arm and a leg, but he examined them all liek at home, prescribed them drugs, gave me refferals and everything, and he did not charge me a single penny, because I was a volunteer. WOW! it was an amazing thing to hear because it is so discouraging to go anywhere and be overchargd bcause ur a mzungu! so i was so happy and I met an amazing lady(mary ann) a retired teacher who encouraged my work and inspried me so much. There are so many good people, you just have to find them. And everyday i meet at least 5 new lovely people, young old, men women, it doesnt matter. Kenya is a beautiful country, and the other thing nicer than the land is the people living on it. I went to Tanzania, Arusha last week for 3 days, and that was one heck of an experience that was bound to happen sometime I was here. Went w Ahs, All, Bella, and Thu. We ended splittin up and doing diff things bcause i was on a budget and would rather spend my money on the ppl here and my children rather than myself. SO thu and I stayed in teh cheapest yet safe hotels, ate at cheap restos and did cheap activities. The first day, we went to the court trials for the rwandan genocide which are happening still now. It was mindblowing, We watched the trials 4 4 hrs, in awe. These were witnesses defending those waiting 2 be prosecuted bcause of their involvement in the genocide. we saw 2 trials- one was a captain of the hutu tribe, responsible for alot of voilence and deaths of tutis, and the other wasa man who bombed all teh churches in kigali. Seeing these ppl was pretty sickning, but it was also amazing at the same time, feels like its 96 and the genocide has nearly ended, so real!!! Then the nxt day we were plannin on going 2 mnt.kilamomanjero, but were told to go that night 2 make it in time, left Arusha at 4, supposed 2 arrive in marangu at 6:30, b4 dark, only got there at 9:30. Got talked about and laughed at the whole way there un bus until transfer, at tranfer got followed, nearly kidnapped and mugged. Got onto nxt matatu which was supposed 2 bring us 2 final destination, driver was drunk and few passengers 2, flying all over the road n all, then overchared by like 3000 shillings each. Thu and I were scared shitless, and plus our phones did not work at all in TZ. Luckly the man bside us defeneded us and we started talking, we has suppsoed 2 get off b4 us, and was goin 2 tell the driver where 2 drop us off, but then he insisted we got off with him and he’d bring us 2 be safe. No idea who this man was, but i figured our chances of living and being safe were much higher w him than 20 other angry intoxicated ppl in a matatu. He brought us to this bar and we sat there for 20 mins the only 2 white ppl there and drunk men. He finallya rrived, brought us where we had to go appparently. We also had no idea where we were staying, but we were sent thru teh toursit board. t’was a homestay, the lady was very nice, Mama Gifty was her name. welcomed us w open arms and everything was okay in the end, but was scared shitless and actually prayed to god on the way like 50 times!! nyways, climbed the mntain with our guide Genes. Thought i was going to die it was so hard. Total Malt-5895. Our total Malt-2900. Not bad! The scenary was beautiful, purity in the air and all!!! wow! Then went back to arusha, got there just before dark. Met 2 ppl who were lookin 4 a place to stay, they had bought a matatu as their car hahaha it was so funny. Looking back on the expereince makes me laugh and i am glad i went, but being there, i wanted to b back in Kenya so bad! BUt it was awsome, loved it!!! The kenyan ppl are much nice than those in TZ!! ANother one of my projects was getting Joel bacjk into school. One of the boys from the orphanage was expelled from school for being accused for something he didnt do. I was so aggrivated bcause he loves school and so hardworking. AT the age of 13 he brought himself to the orphanage bcause his parents couldnt help him, and he wanted to do well for himself. He wants 2 be a teacher to help others as he has been helped. He cares for 130 other children, i was not letting hime down, I promised i would help, and thats what i did. AFter many trips to teh school, draft letters and meetings with the principle, as of Yesterday, Joel is back in school. When I left him with his suitcase full of stuff and seeing him in uniform again, i almsot cried, i cant really xplain the feeling. I hadnt seen him smile like that since he had been kicked out. I am still teaching my nursary class at the orphanage, they have grown so much, i have so much admiration for them, they never cease to amaze me, ever! Teacher lex!! I have also started teaching at one primary school, thought i woudl b just an assisstant teacher, but until 2 mins b4 class time, i was told that i was the only teacher so was left to find a lesson for 1 hour n 55 10-12 yr old kids who have exams nxt week! AHHH!! but w no other choice, i did it and twas lots of fun!! 2day, i am teaching 9-10 yer olds, 100 of them!! I go 2 that school 2 dys a week. I am also
tecahing at another primary school, everyday in the am, the youngest kids, standard 1. Part of the nursary class @ orphanage is going for their entrance exam to primary school. There are about 15 going 4 the exam, Tecaher Ann and lex r bringing them 2 write it tommorow morning, I am nervous for them!! Oh and there is also a new teacher at the orphanage, It is so good because now there is one teacher for each group which is so much better. I am so sad cuz Kia left, Martine ,a dn now my dear Thu, she left yesterday, its like im creating thses frndships, work w these ppl and then bam, i dont c them! ahh makes me sad, because we grow so close!! SO we had a celebration for her on the wknd w the crew. Lots of tears were shed!! I also went to Kenya YOuth for Christ group. I met with them and that was also amazing, they go around to schjools and reach out to youth, abstain from sex, be faithfull, councelling and guide them in the right direction! They are all under 25 and are very much in love w what they do, all voluntary as well! Its an amazing feeling to meet people who have the smae golas, priorities and visions as you do to help otehrs and better community in the best way possible. It so powerful!! I dont know who i will be when i get home, but even gone from my home for 3 days while in TZ, I missed everyone, btrice, stphen, jayne, my frnds and my family n kids sooo mcuh! The children have become freinds of mine who i will cherish forever and ever, we have a mutual respect for each otehr and understanding of each other than very few people have. We teach each other so much, they teach me so much! Ah the police here is so corrupt though, like out on satruday night, we almost got arrested because Jess was smoking, but we were white and they wanted money. They woudl charge us w something ridiculous that we didnt even do if we didnt give it 2 them. It so ridiculous,and we were w kenyans too. ANd they have roadblocks all the time, n when the matatus are full or when they get pulled over, the conductor just discreetly hand the popo over some bills and we just keep driving. SO teh passenger gets charged double the price 2 get on so that we can pay the crooked officer! but they have the power so what is there to be done! Anyways, I have to run, class to teachh. ANd Jayne and I are also starting an afterschool homework program at the orphanage. So everyday is run run run, leave house at 7 n back at 9, so much to do and just not enough time!!! All of you come here so that I dont have to go back home, we could o amazing things!!! Now my only problem is chosing where to go for my last month. The dance classes, VCK, KYFC, teaching, Mombassa, staying here- i have no ideA! Lucy says that since i am her older sister that she has to come back to my home with me because sisters live together! I dont know how I am ever going to leave.

ANyway I hope you are all doing well, I really miss you ALL!! Can’t wait to see you all and hear how you are all doing! Take good care, Jarred Happy birthday mon pitou! Thx to evryone who has been txtn n fcbookin n callin n supportin me, it keeps me going! I am forever greatful and blessed to have you all! MUAH

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!! 2 bad im not celebrating, but i dont think the celbration of the devil would be much appreciated here! haha

LOVE YOU!

Debbie this is one of the thinsg I told you about!

For a funreal:

ONE:The face we loved is missing,The voice we loved is still,The hands that did so much for us are resting at god’s will.God saw you were getting weary, he did what he thought was best, he came and stood beside you and whispered “come to rest”.

TWO:Few days ago, God looked around and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the world and saw your beautiful face. He put his arm around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be peaceful, for thats where God thrived best. It broke our hearts to lose you but you didnt go alone for a part of us went with you. You were more than a freind, steady shelter, he who finds one finds a treasure.

xoxo much love!!