thanks to Katie Tripp for capturing this!

thanks to Katie Tripp for capturing this!
thanks to Katie Tripp for capturing this!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

the earth

By the end of each day, the rusty orange Kenyan earth seems to have found its way into every crevice of my feet, hands and clothing. This was particularly apparent yesterday after playing a serious game of football(soccer) with the Primarians at the conclusion of their exams. The earth, like the character of the students at Our Lady of Grace is vibrant and encompassing. At the end of each day, my clothes are not merely tinged orange, but rather my heart is fuller and my anxiety is eased by the smiles, handshakes, stories, questions and prayers of the children and young adults with whom I am blessed to spend each day.
We, Fellows, may think our day starts early (at 5:30 a.m.), but the students begin at 4:00 a.m. with personal study before Rosary and Mass. Despite their early start, their energy seems boundless. It is the energy and enthusiasm of the students on which I draw for my own sustenance. I hope and pray that their enthusiasm and zeal will continue to inspire me even upon my return to the U.S. where I plan to continue to work on behalf of Father Tom’s Kids at Our Lady of Grace School.
Perhaps the little bit about the students’ enthusiasm for learning, for football and for joy in the small things that I have shared with you, can inspire you all to enjoy your family, friends, work and all of our other blessings in the United States. I know that I have already become acquainted with “a new way of seeing things,” perhaps you will, too!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Week In Review

Week In Review

I apologize for not blogging as frequently last week, but I was working on adjusting to a new schedule, new faces, new stories and a new way of life. Fortunately I turned to my journal for reflection and documentation.

While we all participate in the common activities such as Rosary, Mass and assemblies, each of the four Fellows has different responsibilities and assignments each day. This variety provides for meaningful discussion and reflection at dinner upon the conclusion of our day. This past week I spent time with Class 3, which is actually comprised of Class 1 (with only two students), Class 2 and Class 3 all in one classroom. Thankfully, I was assigned to teach Creative Arts, so the lesson was possible for all of the various skill and maturity levels present in the one classroom. Coming from an American education system, it seems nearly impossible to expect one teacher to meet each child at her skill level with such a broad spectrum in one classroom, but with low enrollment rates for those particular grades, it is necessary. Class 3, 2 and 1 students have captured my heart in a unique way since their innocence seems yet to be spoiled by the tragedy which looms just beyond their comprehension.

It is in Class 3, that one can notice the similarities in childhood across national borders, however, as you interact with some of the older students, it becomes clear quite quickly that many of these young adults have witnessed and experienced more than most do in a lifetime. Much of the violence following the hotly contested Presidential election in 2007 has shaped these young adults and their outlook on life. Despite this sometimes repressed pessimism, though, there exists great hope and optimism at Our Lady of Grace School. Many Secondary students hope to attend university and work hard to achieve such lofty ambitions.

The faculty and staff of Our Lady of Grace and Father Tom’s Kids have been extremely gracious in their hospitality. This past weekend, we were taken for lunch overseeing the beautiful Lake Victoria and for a visit to the Impala National Park in Kisumu. They are eager to share their culture with us and we are glad to experience city life in a city very far from Providence and New York.

Mrs. Maria Casigrahi, the director of Fr. Tom’s Kids, has been both a gracious host and an enthusiastic recipient of Fellows ready to work in a development capacity. While all of the students at Our Lady of Grace Primary and Secondary Schools are sponsored through Fr. Tom’s Kids sponsorship program, the two organizations are distinct. Depending on sponsorship availability and means of the sponsor, some students at Our Lady of Grace are sponsored by Fr. Tom’s Kids through university, while others are only sponsored through Secondary School. The relationship between the two organizations is complicated, but we are working to clarify the details so as to create a more accessible website and brochure.  We work on development items either on our own time, under Maria’s guidance, or during the day when we are not in the classroom or socializing with students.

I promise to write more frequently this week now that our schedule is more familiar to us .

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

"pole-pole"

After learning how to acclimate ourselves to the thin mountain air of Mt. Kenya during our four day hike to the summit, we have begun acclimating ourselves to the culture and community of Our Lady of Grace School in Kisumu. As our patient hiking guide, Richard, reminded us throughout our journey to the summit, “pole-pole,” which is Kiswahili for “slowly by slowly.” This phrase and its implied philosophy are not something that come easily to me, but just as one must pace herself for a half marathon, or a four day hike, or a long term organizing campaign, I must accept and embrace this philosophy so as not to burn out before my gifts flourish.

Today was our first full day in Kisumu after arriving yesterday evening and sharing a delicious Kenyan meal with the Dominican community at St. Martin de Porres. The Kenyan culture of hospitality and warmth has been a true blessing throughout this whole journey. After meeting with the principals of the Upper and Lower School, spending some time with the children and meeting with Dominicans and administrators for Our lady of Grace and Father Tom’s Kids, we are beginning to understand the complexities of running a non-profit, especially in a country very far away from most of its donors. I expect that more clarity will develop in the coming days and weeks.

Our focus for our precious time here, though, is to create healthy and formative relationships with the students who long for care,attention and role models. Each of the four Smith Fellows, plus our friend Anna from Dartmouth College, has received a schedule of responsibilities, assignments and suggested activities. This week I will be working with Class 3 of the Primary School, which would be the American equivalent of 3rd grade, additionally I will visit the Dispensary, or school nurse, and help with an agricultural class. I look forward to meeting and forming friendships with the teachers and students tomorrow. Our day will start again, bright and early with morning Rosary at 6:10 a.m. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers during daily Rosary and Mass with the students of Our Lady of Grace and the Dominican community in Kisumu.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

safe arrival

Just wanted to post to inform everyone that we are safely in Nairobi. We will be leaving for our hike to Mt. Kenya tomorrow morning bright and early! More blogging to resume when we arrive in Kisumu at St. Martin de Porres Priory and Our Lady of Grace School!

Monday, June 13, 2011

agape

On the eve of our departure, I will simply share a quote from another friend's card, "Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries."
We will resume blogging when we settle down in Kisumu- sometime either Monday or Tuesday night.
peace and love,
Katie

Saturday, June 11, 2011

a new way of seeing things

As Tuesday quickly approaches and I say goodbyes to family and friends, I am becoming increasingly more excited to get to Kenya to hike and get settled at Our Lady of Grace. One of my friends quoted Henry Miller in a note to me: "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." I pray that this journey to Kenya affords me a new way of seeing things, living life and loving others.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Preparations

More preparations are complete, prescriptions are filled and organizing plans for Our Lady of Grace are becoming more concrete (for the time being). Only one week away from take off from JFK! 10 days away from the beginning of our hike to the peak of Mt. Kenya and thirteen days away from our arrival in Kisumu! Happy Birthday, Mom :)