Jambo from Kenya to Canada

October 2nd, 2008 by Lexis Beattie

Hello to all of my loved ones back at home.

So the days are finally looking brighter here and time is finally passing quicker. I have become a lot stronger in so little time, only because around here, you have no choice. i ahve so mcuh to write, but I will keep it short. Things at the orphanage are great, I am now a teacher for nursary school (pre-k and kindergarden combined back at home). It is exhausting when you have to spend an hour sharpening pencils for an hour because the teacher does not have enough for the whole class ( even if teh owners of the place have cupboards full of them hidden somewhere). The children are from ages 3 and a half to 7 years old, and there are 40 of them, and above all else, me no speak swahili! It is nearly impossible, but I manage to do it somehow, sign language and key words go a long way. Now the children know me well, so they figured that they could introduce me to kikuyu, their tribes language too! JOY! and they kill me because in class, some of the kids call me Ann, because their permanent teacher’s name is Ann. SO since I am now a teacher, well my name must be Ann too. The second we step out of class however, my name becomes Lex again! hahaha its so funny. The children are so well behaved, and it feels like I have met 100 gregs and fallen in love all over again! I could count at least 10 children up to date that i would bring home with me in a heart beat; Lucy being number one of course, and I sware that I will bring her to Canada some day, so is an amazing human being.Last weekend I went to do a safari at Masai Mara with teh other volunteers. We stayed at a campsite, had our drivers and our chef, it was awsome, minus the incredibly bumpy ride which they call an African Massage, let me tell ya i would never pay for one of those!!The car breaking down, the speed bump ouir driver didnt see and made us all go Flying to the roof and left us with sraigned necks and bleeding lips, and minus my travellers sickness which decided to come along for the trip. Abnd lucky me, it was between 50-60 degrees celsuis in the jungle/desert, I could not even breath! I had a blast though, the group of volunteers is amazing, (minus a couple haha). The week at the orphanage was good, it was really hot though, which means that rain is on its way. We only have to work 4 hrs a day, but somedays you find yourself there for 8-9 hours and dont even notice it, time flies! It is emotionally exhausting, more than I expected, but its so much fun. The chilrden are what keep me going, and learning the language to not look like a monkey while trying to explain or ask something with the use of my hands and body gestures!! Yesterday was a different day and a first time experience. I went to a parent teacher interview, as a parent. 3 of the orphans came home and were looking for parents to go to the interview, so they came up to me and aksed me to go. Nat and Ann came too. We walked into the school yard, and all of the children were looking at them , and me, obviously knowing that I am not their parent, but the children are used to it and accept the truth, that they are orphans, but walk tall with their head high . It was sad and moving to say the least. I am now in Nairobi, I came in with Suzan at 5 am this morning, and I went tp Java house ( my home away from home) and now am at the VICA office, I know my way aorund pretty well and havent gotten lost yet(cuz my sense of direction is so great!) Anyway, I have to go meet Kia, a volunteer who has become a very good friend of mine who is sadly leaving on monday, so we are going to the carnivore ( a resto place) there is a concert, and tommorow we are tackling the market again where i will meet and catch up with all of my brotehrs and sisters!! haha. Hapy birthday to Kelsey, Jess, Meg all the best 2 you all. and my lil Emma of course, I love and miss you so much coconut!I hope all is well at home, I love you and miss you all! I am only a phone call away and an ocean apart, go for a swim, get in shape, come for a visit! Take care of yourselves!!

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