Reasons Why I Don't Blog

Some people (like three) are wondering why I am not keeping my blog up to date. There is so much I would love to talk about and tell you all what I am up to, but my blog is never up to date. Well, I have several reasons for you:

1) 50 shilling pirated movies, so many to watch, so little time.
2) The most adorable children. It is impossible to tell them that you can't play with them because you have to write a blog.
3) Napping. I mean I have a mega bed.
4) Cooking...it takes a bit longer here....and it is amazinggg.
5) Playing football.
6) Hanging out with the staff and new friends.
7) I am in Kenya. Everything here is amazing and I am not the biggest fan of sitting inside.
8) THE CHILDREN ARE AMAZING. (Just incase I haven't said it enough)

I love life here. So much. I am moving here (I hope).

Life Facts According to Kenna

Jambo!!

Kenya has been quite the experience! Everyday I am learning so much about life, love, relationships, the world, and myself. So I thought instead f doing a long post like I usually do, I would do some facts that I have learned. These are proven facts. And by proven I really mean they probably are true...at least some of them.

1) Laughter is the strongest medicine. The youth at the centre have been through more than I could ever imagine. However, they are so loving and kind. I am pretty sure they are like this because of their amazing sense of humor. I have heard some indescribable stories while in Kenya, but the individual is always so excited about life and ready for whatever. They are able to appreciate life. Whenever life gets   to be too much, they simply fix it with medicine.

2) Just because a vehicle says it sits a certain number of people it really can fit triple that number. A matatu (big van that is like a bus/taxi) typically has fourteen seats and twenty-five people. Okay, I maybe exaggerating a little, but not very much. If we are going out of town the matatu will have the correct number of people. However, if we are going into town or back to the centre, they pile that sucker up. It is totally okay if an old man is in your lap or if you end up holding someone's baby while you are sitting someone's lap who is sitting on a piece of wood between two seats.

3) Avocados fix anything. Really enhances your meal.

4) Just because something has dirt on it does not mean you can't wear it. My definition of clean has changed. Things are never really get all the way clean. For instance wearing clothes for several days in a row is now my norm. Washing your socks and then still having red on them is not a big deal. Deodorant is not really common. (Hot showers are also not really common). Dirt is always in our room and sometimes even follows me into my bed. I wouldn't have it any other way now. (I feel kind of bad for my roommates next year now).

5) Kenya has the best drinks ever. American soda is awful compared to their Coke, Sprite, and Fanta Orange (not to be confused with Orange Fanta- it is different) And if you know me you know I hate Coke...but I drink it all the time here. Awkward, I know. Their tea is amazing! They have great milkshakes, fresh juice, and SO much more.

6) Kenyan football is great than American soccer. Also, if you ever go to a football game in Kenya and walk in with a jersey on right after you purchase it expect a standing ovation (yes, I walked back to my seat and at least 200 people were standing up clapping and cheering because of my newest addition to my wardrobe).

7) Americans can not dance. I am sorry, we just can't. My dancing has been defined as "mzungu style". (Mzungu means white person in Swahili). Clubs here would put any American club to shame because of Kenyans' ability to dance.

8) Fruit for 5 shillings is the best thing since sliced bread.

9) When you set on a time to leave or meet, just add 45 minutes to that time and that is when you are actually leaving or meeting.

10) Mega beds- every house should have one. In the female room we added a bed to the two beds that were already in the room to make one giant bed. Three beds barely fit in the room, so they are all touching. I love it! I am always right next to two of my newest closest friends.

11) Live life to the fullest. Do not be afraid of new things, that is when you start missing out.

12) Embrace the awkwardness. It is fine. Whatever happens, live it up. Laugh about it later.

Service Update at the CYEC

We have been on site for a little over three weeks and arereally starting to figure out what the rest of the summer will look like! I am so ready to actually be having a plan instead of just “going with the flow” every single day. So here is what all we are working on-

Zawadi Shop- Small store at the centre. The thought behind this store was for children to earn points by attending school, doing chores, ect. They then could trade in their points for items in the store. The items could include toy, clothes, books, school supplies, games, and hygiene products. The shop reinforces the idea of hard work and how if you work hard enough you can get what you have set your eyes on. When we arrived to the centre the shop was in some bad conditions. The shop was currently closed due to the system of points not working properly and a lack of donations. The few donations that were there had no system or organization.

We started with repainting some of the very dirty and messy walls. Our new decorations on different walls include a puzzle wall, a local artist’s painting of an amazing mountain scenery, children’s hand prints spelling out CYEC, and some simple designs. We then went through all of the donations. We completely revamped the layout of the store. It is a lot more functional now!

Health Wise- This is a project I am working on with a volunteer from Australia, Zanya. Health Wise is a program to promote education about life knowledge. The program topics included managing your emotions, expressing yourself, respecting differences in others, leadership, conflict resolution, and more. This information is what an individual typically would learn from their parents, caregiver, adults, ect. The program was developed my two people from Penn State. Zanya then found out about it and decided to implement it at the CYEC. I am just simply assisting her in this project. We will be doing a lesson each week. Each lesson is taught to the same group of individuals how range from 14-18 years old. The lesson is taught by a CYEC staff to make sure the program is sustainable after Zanya leaves. When she leaves I will be here to make sure everything is still running smoothly and be here for support. I love this program. The information is very valuable and needed at the center. This is right up my ally. I am very lucky that I am able to assist with it!

Leadership Workshop- My favorite. This project is now our groups new focus. Here we are leading a workshop twice a week discussing different topics about leadership. The ten students that attend the workshops are the prefects at the CYEC. The prefects are the children who hold a leadership role. They were chosen because of there character. We have held three workshops total so far. I am lovinggggg teaching these guys! They are all so great! I am really able to see the leadership potential in them and cannot wait to watch them lead this centre. They have been really welcoming to our ideas. We were able to sit in on one of their meetings to hear more about what was going on in their team. From that we learned a lot! We then took what we learned and started creating our curriculum. I just love this project. I love these ten kids already. I am so excited that we found our project, are so passionate about it, and have a strong vision for what we want do with it!

Zawadi Point System- We helped create and implement a point system that allows children and youth to earn points by going to school, doing chores, working, ect. They then are able to spend their points however they chose. The youth that are out of 8^th grade have to pay for their food and rent with the points they earn. I love this idea because it is teaching them how the real world is. It is showing the idea of budgeting, saving, working for what you want, and how things are not free. There was a huge need for this in the centre and I think we create something very sustainable. (I won’t go into details about the ins and outs of the system because it deals with accounting and junk and I don’t want you to fall asleep). One day I walked out of my room and asked a child what they were up to. He replied with feeding the rabbits to earn points so he can purchase a game. My heart melted. He is learning the importance of how hard work can pay off. I am really excited to watch the system grow this summer! I know there is a lot more we are going to have to do with it, but this project is definitely headed in the right direction!

In conclusion we are working on a lot and are starting to fell that we are actually helping here. I love serving here. I love love love it. The children are amazing. The children make all of the long meetings, difficult decisions, and hours of planning worth it. Every time I am overwhelmed or worried about a project, I just go visit some of the kids. Right when I talk to them I know everything is worth it. I am so excited to continue our work over the next six weeks!

Miss you all! Talk to you soon!

The Most Incredible Individuals

Attention: Grammar will not be correct. I love spending my time with the children here...not really to focused on checking my grammar. Sorry in advance. 

During a new journey in your life you meet the most interesting people; sometimes creepy, sometimes extremely funny, other times annoying, and other times you are lucky enough to meet someone who changes your life (or has the potential to change your life). I have only been here for two weeks, but I have met so many people that I know will have a great impact to my life. I am sure this list will grow as the summer continues but right now here it is:

Paul-Director of the CYEC. INCREDIBLE. He created the idea and completely started this program. He just simply noticed the need for a place for street dwelling youth to live and then created the center.

The very first morning of being in Kenya we were in Nairobi and had no clue of what we should do or where we were. We were standing in the hotel lobby and all the sudden this man walked up to Bailey and said "I want to shake your hand." My thoughts-great another friendly creeper- cool. However, this guy was different. He had a huge smile on, greeted all of us, and talked about how he was so excited to finally meet us. We then realized this man was THE Paul we had heard so much about! His kindness instantly calmed all of my nerves down.

Through our conversations I realized he is the kindest, most sincere, loving, ambitious, passionate, gentle, intelligent person I have ever met. He truly cared about getting to know us, making sure we were comfortable in our new home, making sure we were having fun, and finding us challenging task that fit our skills. He is so passionate about life, the centre, serving others, and most importantly the children. He is a very inspirational person.

Chris- One of the first workers at the CYEC and now attends University in Nairobi. We met him the first day in Kenya. Right away he greeted us with the friendliest smile and a couple jokes. He then showed us around Nairobi, took us to a museum, checked out a film festival, and more! He was so kind whenever he spoke and always very upbeat. Chris made everything so fun! For instance, in Kenya you just cross a road, there really are not too many traffic lights. The first couple of times you attempt to do it you are terrified, but he just made fun of us freaking out and told us to “free lance”. Our whole team now loves to just “free lance”. Chris is one of the first friends I made in this country and he really made me start to fall in love with Kenya. He has shown us around to Thompson Falls and a cave this past weekend, His kindness and humor is like no one I have ever met before. He is an incredible person.

Gladwell- Accountant at the CYEC. I met Gladwell the first day at the center. She instantly made me feel at home. She is very new to the CYEC also, so we are learning some things together. However, she is always incredibly helpful and insightful. She guided us into town for the first two times. Without her we would have been very lost. Without her we would not have already completed one project. I know I can always go to her with any questions or problems. It is very comforting being away from home but still know there is a person that is supporting you.

CYEC Staff- All of the staff here is so friendly and loving. Anytime I see someone during the day they always greet me with a friendly handshake. All of the staff here are part of an incredible vision. They all love the children. They are all willing to do whatever they can for these children. I am so excited to be able to work with such an incredible group of people. I am really building some incredible relationships with staff members. 

The Children- SO GREAT. All of the children have gone through some awful things in their life, but they still are so loving and kind. I cannot get over how much they have been through and how they are just give so much love. It is amazing. I am 98% sure that one of the girl’s laugh is so adorable it can fix any problem, her laugh instantly melts your heart. I am also 97% sure that all of the children have a special gene named the “incredibly adorable” gene…I think I learned that one in biology…or in a magazine... or something. I have my favorites that I just completely adore, but I love spending time with all of them! These children do not ask for much, they are more than happy with what they have. I have already learned so much from them and I have only been here for two weeks.

To sum it all up, everyone here is terrific. The tour guides, storeowners, waitresses, children, staff, ect. ect. are all so kind. I am completely surrounded by truly kind and loving people. I cannot wait to build even more life long friendships with these incredible individuals.

Talk to you all soon!

Using The Utensils God Gave You

Growing up I was blessed with two caring parents who always made sure I had everything I needed. These materials might have not always been the nicest or the newest however I always had whatever I needed. For an example, I had a pair of school shoes, sport shoes, sandals, play shoes, church shoes, and more. While growing up I thought I was living with the materials I “had to have to survive”. Man was I wrong. I had everything I ever needed and then some. I am now realizing what the real basics are one pair of shoes, food, a notebook with some new paper.

I have always wanted more, an extra pair of tennis shoes, new towels, a nicer car. Here at the CYEC the children do not expect extra, they are fine with what they have. I realized this one day when our team was eating dinner with the children. We were hunting for silverware and could not find any. I was hesitant to eat rice and beans with my hands until a young boy looked at all of us and stated something that really stuck with me.

“You should use the utensils God gave you,” and he lifted his hands up.

This concept really made me step back and look at the larger picture. These children are so excited that they have three meals they can depend on each day; they do not worry or care about how they are eating it. They don’t even care what type of food it is, they are happy with just having food. Many times I am upset with my meal not being good enough or what I was crazing, I don’t even appreciate that I am able to easily have food.

These children appreciate everything and do not take things for granted like I do. They are so proud of their broken pair of shoes and their ripped t-shirt because they own it. They do not need 17 v-necks and 12 cardigans like I have. They cherish what God has given them; while I often want more and think I “need” more. Listening to the young boy embrace the idea that you use what God gave you was such an important lesson and idea for me. These children are truly inspirational. They do not care about all of these materials, they rejoice in what God has given to them in their lives.

Half Way Across The World...Finally

JAMBO!!

What an incredible week I have had in Kenya!! I am already in love with the culture, incredible people, adorable children, and indescribable nature. This past week has been very crazy for our team, but simply amazing!

I have so much that I want to share I am a bit behind. Internet is down at the CYEC, so we have to go into town to access it so I will not be a be to post as much as a wanted (but that probably is a good thing for you! :)

So....

(I know you just can not wait)

We left Thursday the 24th from Kansas City airport around1:00 p.m. Meeting back up with the team was great!! We had been apart for two weeks, which was awkward for us since we are used to spending so much time together! After a tearful goodbye with all of our families we were ready to start our journey!

Our first flight, which landed in Dallas, was quick and our team made a friend who was doing the exact same flights we were to Nairobi! Her name was Diana and she the cutest baby Zoey! She lives in Kansas City but was going back to Kenya to visit her family. It was a great blessing to have someone who knew what they where doing and willing to help/hang out with us! We easily found our plane and soon started boarding to head to London. The first eight hour flight was fine. And by fine I mean I slept for all of it.

In London I was able to talk to some men with the BEST accent ever. I am not upset that I will be stopping there again on the way home. The second eight-hour flight was a lot of fun. And by a lot of fun I mean I slept even more. However, on this flight I also met some incredible people who were from London but living in Kenya. They gave me some great tips on were to travel to, what to do, ect.

When we finally arrived to Nairobi I was so ready/excited/nervous/tired/hungry/craving pepsi. The airport was different from any other airport I had been to (which is only like seven so it isn’t hard to be different). However, we figured it out and after some veryyyy long waiting I was able to get my bags. We then pilled into a matatu (a way of transportation in Kenya) and headed to the hotel.

And finally our flying adventure was over the next day at 11:00 p.m.