The high school was amazing at what they accomplish with so little. Classrooms with dirt floors and no windows. Their main hall isn't complete. No school van because it is broken down.
The school head master gave us a tour of their grounds. They have teachers in one dorm, 77 boys in another, and 53 girls in the girls' dorm. They also had a farm that produced food for the students and a little to sell. They grow corn, which they call maize, tomatoes, and kale. They were in awe of the idea of growing maize "corn" to be used to make petrol "gas."
After the tour we went to their hall and the choir sang for us and they were so beautiful. They sang three songs in their native tongue for us. Then we got to meet the teachers and staff. After that we introduced ourselves and presented some of our gifts to them, three soccer balls for the school and a pen for each student.
The soccer balls were a huge hit. Within moments the presentation was over and everyone was outside playing. Then it was time to go. So on the road we were to the orphanage.
The orphans greeted us with music as soon as we got out of the vans. Singing a song of welcome for us. Then their guardians came up, singing and dancing. Soon we were all pulled into dancing with them.
They took us to chairs and we sat then a blessing was said and we ate a huge meal of rice and stew and fruit. After the meal we learned the history of the Mwaki and the women that support the orphans. The women make quilts to sell which they then use the money to support the orphans. So we presented the women with funds to finish a new community center where they can make their quilts to provide more support for the orphans. They danced and sang all over again when we gave them the money. The appreciation was evident on their faces.
It was the most emotional day by far on this trip. But seeing the pride in the high school students to be able to attend school at all and the joy from the women supporting the orphans makes any hardship I might personally face fade away.
Tony
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