Much to say

Well it's been a very full few days. A lot to write about!

So I will begin with a few days ago. Kennedy and I went to visit Alice's house in Makina Kibera. Alice is the woman who comes to Mama Rose's house to do the laundry and clean, and I've become really close to her. I told her that i want to come visit her and she was in shock she was so excited. So Kennedy and I went and Alcie told us all about her life. She has two children who live up country and to whom she sends money. Then she began to tell us about her husband--which she was a bit hesitant to do at first, presumably because Kennedy was there and I think that generally speaking in African culture (from what I've seen) women don't talk about men--and especially dont speak badly about them in front of another man whom they don't know well. But Kennedy was amazing in how he drew her out, saying that he "didn't midn," and that he knows how African men can often treat their women badly. So Alice, who speaks perfect English began to tell her story about her husband who went to jail, and who she spent all her money to bring him food and get him out, and who left her as soon as he was out in Swahili--just because she felt so comfortable with Ken. It was cool to see. The next day Alice told me that her landlady had seen her with me and had asked "how can a muzungu stand to come here?" And Alice proudly replied that I love Kibera, just like they do. Then she made a bet with her landlady that I will come to spend the night soon, so I am going to stay with her on Tuesday.

Okay but the big thing to talk about is my first night spent at Kennedy's in Katwakera Kibera. So Saturday I tool my Swahili exam--which went really well by the way! I don't have the official results yet but the examiner said that he was really impressed, and I just really feel like I can speak Swahili pretty comfortably, and understand even more. So I walked to Kennedy's by myself after the exam for the first time. Kibera is pretty tricky to navigate because the streets arent labeled and there are a million chutes and alley ways, but I knew that I knew how to get there so I wouln't let Kennedy come and get me as he usually does. So I loved walking there--people just starred at me as I passed in utter confusion, and I heard some people say, "Muzungu, amepotea?" (Muzungu, is she lost?) And I turned around and said, "hapana, najua kwasababu ninakaa karibu na hapa" (no, I know because I stay near here) to which they would just dissolve into laughter because first of all there are no white people there, second of all no white people walking by themselves, and definately no white people who speak Swahili. So I made it to nuymbani kwetu (our house) and had a great talk with Kennedy and Collins--who runs the media department of SHOFCO and is really brilliant as well. We talkmed about what it is that makes me able to and want to live in Kibera, unlike other whites, which I didn;t really have an answer to but have been thinking a lot about. I think its because I really do feel so comfortable with the people there, and that anyone can live anywhere if they want to and if they adapt our western perceptions of the material things which you "need," many of which actually take away from just enjoying the gift of living everyday. After I played with all the kids who are out neighbors who I LOVE. They loved teaching me Swahili, and we also talked about their lives, their families, their world views---I am always in shock about how mature 10 year olds are here. Kids and people in general seem just so much older than their age. One of my favorites, Emanuel told me that I don't look 21 I look 10, and then later told me that i can never leave because he will cry because he loves me. It was so funny because at first all the kids were wary of me, didn't want to touch me etc. After about 30 minutes I felt like a jungle gym with kids ALL over me, we had to take turns so that everyone could get a chance to sit on my lap. Then Kennedy made an AMAZING dinner--he really can cook and we sat and talked for like 6 hours. It was great. The more he tells me about himself the more astounded I am by his vision, his world view, his maturity--I always have trouble remembering that he is 23! Then we fell asleep and I slept so well--I've never felt so safe so comfortable anywhere. I woke up late--to find Kennedy doing the dishes and making breakfast (very atypical African male behavior). I met more people, everyone kept coming over to meet the "Muzungu who speaks Swahili," and I already feel like a really accepted part of the community. Then we then had a great meeting about our project. Here is what we determined, rehearsals will begin November 8th Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, (on which days we will hire 2 HIV/AIDS women to cook lunch from my project budget) and Tuesday/Thursday 9 am to 1 pm. We will create a piece together about an issue or topic that everyone is passionate about. We will then perform the piece at different villages in Kibera as well as perhaps other places around Nairobi. After this talk, I got to meet a bunch of the youths at the weekly SHOFCO meeting. I have never been more impressed by a group of people. AS Joseph, the SHOFCO chair said, these kids are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the leaders of NOW. I had shivers sitting in that room because I know we are going to change so much together. AS i am now done with classes this week I am mostly just going to be around SHOFCO getting to know the kids, going to their houses etc. Everyday I just feel so grateful to get to both learn from and work with such incredible people in such a meaningful way. I loved living in Kibera (and felt super safe for all you naysayers out there--this really is the way to do it--the way to really get to know people and also aspects of myself. This is going to make my work even more powerful.) I can;t wait for my official move-in day: November 7th.

Until then, keep the scenes and monologues coming as class starts next Saturday!

Many thanks and all my L--oh-uu-ve (as it is said here!)

Jess