MAORO – REPORT 2

HabrI za Jioni, Rafikies,

This morning we awoke, and immediately began gathering supplies to take to the village of Maoro. (M-A-R-RA—ROO). Today’s activities involved a welcoming ceremony which brings out the entire village. We were treated to dancing and singing from the school choir, as well as the local church choir. As we sat there listening to the beautiful voices some of us exchanged some knowing nervous looks knowing we had planned to sing a song we had been hastily practicing. After the music we were blessed to enjoy some local traditional dancing from some of the village elders.

Once the singing and dancing was completed, we were then invited break into separate groups and were taken into separate parts of the village to see how the students, and families live. During our visit to a home area roughly 3/4 south east from the school and were shown into the homes of several of the students of the Maoro village. We were delighted by the hospitality of the families, as well as the patience in showing our teams how they sustain their lives. Most of the parents don’t go to a job away from home their survival is their job, often taking far more than 8 hours a day.

After our village tour, we gathered back at the school to once again to break ground on the brick and mortar classroom that the Grant Victor has sponsored. Then we broke into teams to teach a class in differing age groups. Our focus was bringing something that they can use to teach from for years to come and well as to educate and entertain. The smiles are what sticks with you, such beautiful people with such beautiful smiles are something that touches your soul.

With classes finished we began to have the real fill of Burto ball and soccer, which always turns into controlled chaos. Watching the team play with the children and have small private moments with specific children or groups of children was magical. This is one of the special perks of being chosen as one of the travel team. For me personally this has been such an adventure and blessing; I have seen my son mature right before my eyes.   As we departed, we got the ultimate parting gift---a goat we named Honey.

As yesterday we are going to continue the collaborative experience sharing. However, due to the late hour we are not going to be able to gather thoughts from everyone.

Chelsey – “today we got a ceremony of a lifetime. Just seeing the differences in cultures and lifestyles is amazing. We enjoyed lots of dance and performances. My favorite part was the shadowing. I was able to see that the women work from the moment they get up to the moment they go to sleep. We ground corn with a stone mill wheel that was hand powered. The elders asked a young man to climb up a coconut tree so we could try fresh coconut. Watching these seemingly simple tasks and the effort involved was incredible. Oh, I also got to pet a goat and named one Honey. One of the mothers even let my carry her child in the traditional manner on my back. The other members in my group saw the look on my face and instantly told me “You can’t take the baby home” I was overjoyed and overwhelmed by today.

Michalea – “Shadowing in the village changed my idea of hard work Maze, Mousetraps, coconuts, and harvest. A mother of seven children living in a mud home that seconds as food storage. These beautiful welcoming brothers and sisters started as strangers and left me as family. In their words:  “Be at home” …”Be one”

Jeff – It was another great day in Kenya. The Maoro village opened their arms to us with the strong smell of wild peppermint in the wind.  The 800 children of this school seemed so happy to welcome us. Hearing the history of this primary school in the village made us all further recognize and appreciate the improvement that these new classrooms will make. Knowing that they will be well used feels me with joy, and a sense of achievement for the travel team, and the village.  They pleaded with us to not go back to America.  We promised them that we would leave a portion of our hearts with them.

Cory and Lauren – The highlight of the day for us was when Burt brought out the 6ft (beachball) Burto ball for the children to play with after the groundbreaking ceremony and teaching classes was completed. Imagine 400 children running around a dirt school courtyard laughing and going absolutely crazy. It was great to end the day with Maoro on that note.

We once again thank those back home holding down the fort at home and at work, without you we would never have been able to make this trip. Asante Sana, and Lala Salal from Kenya.

Authored by Christopher Rawson