We Americans live our life in abundance. We have been accustomed to grocery stores being fully stocked, starbucks on every corner, and power flowing on a consistent basis. Here in the orphanage we wake to the question, “Is the water running?” or “The power is off today”. Back home we constantly hear about global warming, a drought, or the need for a new power resource. But truth be told, it rarely affects our daily lives.
For the orphanage here, it does. The entire country is on a “power rationing”. A majority of their power is generated off of a large river running through Nairobi. However, the river is no longer large and water is becoming a scarce resource. Therefore the country shuts off power to numerous sections throughout the week. Today was our day. For us, we felt it. We were not able to charge our video camera’s or laptops. “. Yet, as I walk outside our apartment doors, life here remains the same.
To the children, they are ALWAYS singing, smiling, dancing, and enjoying life. Today they took their enjoyment to a whole new level. Rori, Lauren, Neda, and myself received the most basic lesson of all: How to wash our cloths.
Today one of the students saw our cloths hanging on a line and said, “You are not good at washing your cloths, let us show you.” All of us scurried to our rooms to gather our dirty cloths and we brought them around the back. We had several children ready and eager to teach us “westerners” the art of washing cloths. . . and it truly is an art.
They have it down to a science. To such an extent that you are not allowed to wash your own cloths until you are in the fourth grade. As our lesson progresses we look to the side and notice a line of 1st-3rd graders sitting along the wall mimicking the cloth washing motion, so when they are able to – they will have it mastered.
In the “Cowboy” days they had wash boards. Here, they have a bar of soap, their hands, and a bucket of water. They have special ways of rubbing the fabric against their palms, then against the soap. Coupled with a specific motion to rub and clean the fabric. There are different methods for white vs. black clothing. There is a special way to hang dry your cloths, coupled with the way you fold them. For these children, it truly is an art. They take passion in having white dresses while living in a red dirt and a dust stricken area.
I asked one girl why she puts so much effort into washing her cloths, where as some of the boys just dip them in water and hang them to dry. She said, “This is all I have. It may not be much, but it is what God gave me. I will care for it with all my heart because one day it will be my sisters.” . . .
Today Lauren was walking along the halls and a girl stopped her and asked to step inside her room because she had a surprise. She sat Lauren down on her bed and said, “I want to thank you for being my friend. So i got you gift.” – To preset this, Lauren loves avocado’s – and this little girl new it. She, with her own money bought an avocado to give to Lauren. Later when she told us the story she said she couldn’t help but cry – she said it was one of the most genuine gifts she had received.
The children here are amazing – they truly are. They have smiles that illuminate the sky – and genuine friendship and love for everyone. If you have a pulse, you are loved. It is that simple. An 8 year old will offer to help you carry a 5 gallon jug of water, just to be by your side. They want to hear stories, sing, dance, pray, and now – do martial arts. They live in a bubble not influenced by the outside world. Which leaves all of us wondering, what in the “outside world” takes this genuine love for all away?
As of right now, I am off to sleep. I hear huge banging and laughs from down below. All the children are pushing their beds together (over 45 of them in a room) so they can sleep next to one another. Then, we hear singing echo off the cement walls till midnight – . . . it is beautiful. (we have them recorded will upload soon).
With Kindness,
Brian Williams
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