Unaitwa nani?

We probably should have learned this phrase, which is Swahili for "what is your name?" before we met the kids on Monday. But alas, we hadn't done our homework and were left trying to learn the names of 100 kids, all between 2 and 10 years old and most only comfortable speaking their native tribal tongues and Swahili. Despite our linguistic struggles, the kids were all very polite and welcomed us enthusiastically. The youngest were anxious to show us their workbooks and the older ones to play soccer and jump rope together. We brought about 20 jump ropes, three soccer balls (the first the school has ever had, we're told), and 48 scrimmage jerseys, and had a wonderful time hanging out with the kids for a few hours! We plan to bring the rest of the sports equipment, school supplies and toys the last day for them to have when we leave.

The setup of the the school and orphanage has changed since Tom visited the US and what has transpired is pretty exciting. Most notably, Tom was able to trade the plot of land he had planned to build on, plus a little bit of money, for a new space with a building already almost complete! The new building is in a better spot than the old land, just about a ten minute walk from the church where the kids are currently staying, but still outside Korogocho itself (the slums seem to have very defined boundaries). They have been able to move classes for all but the youngest kids to the new building, which has ten rooms and the rebar in place to add a second floor as is common practice in Nairobi. The kids can't sleep there yet, though, because electricity and water are not yet in place, hindering them from receiving a permit. Ironic, considering that they currently pack the 65 orphans into the tiny church building in Korogocho that has neither of these amenities. All the same, exciting stuff and it was super encouraging to see the progress!

Today we started off by heading to downtown Nairobi to pick up some building materials and change the rest of our money for Kenyan shillings. Every part of town we've been to has its own very unique vibe which maybe I can write about later, but for now just know that the two things they all have in common are people everywhere and absolutely horrendous traffic. A trip to the supermarket a mile away can take 45 minutes at the wrong time of day.

After our errands downtown and fighting our way through a few thousand matatus (their version of a taxi), we got back to the new school building in time for lunch and some more, slightly better organized, soccer and games. At the end of the schoolday around 4, we got to walk with the kids back to Korogocho. For me this was one of the coolest things we've done so far. About 15 kids each were trying to hold hands with Justin, Alisha and me. They didn't talk a lot given the language barrier and some remaining shyness, but just wanted to be around us as much as they could. After we got back to the church, they all sang us a few children's Bible songs and we talked for just a few minutes about the rest of what we have planned for them. It starts getting dark about 6pm and Tom has said over and over how unsafe the slums are at night, so we soon had to say goodbye for the day. Looking forward to more time with the kids tomorrow!!