Harambee!!! We're All in this Together!!!

Yesterday was a day of celebration at the Nyanya Toto Pre-School Center in Kibera. We held a harambee...a traditional Kenyan festival where people from the community, dignitaries, etc. are invited to learn about what we are doing, to enroll new students (we hope), and to elicit contributions. Though a bit sparse on dignitaries, we had an amazing emcee who kept things going and played great music to keep the atmosphere light and joyful.

But I am getting ahead of myself. First, a lovely Mexican priest conducted a time of blessing, with scripture reading (the story of Zaccheus from Luke), discussion and comments by those present, and prayer. Then, using a fistful of kale leaves, Mary Martin, Nyanya Project founder, and Elizabeth, our teacher, sprinkled all of the participants with water, then went through the building and grounds, blessing every part of the school. It was lovely...and a deeply meaningful ritual, especially with the nyanyas and the children singing a song about "Water of God" all the while.

Elizabeth and Julius

Pre-school watoto

The remainder of the afternoon's actvities were held in the schoolyard, with songs and poems by the children, dancing by the nyanyas, and the encouragement by our emcee for the rest of us to dance and give "whatever shakes loose" to the fund for the pre-school. Believe me, that guy knew how to ask for money!!! "You are never too poor to give, nor too rich to receive," was the refrain he used again and again. Don't know how much was shaken loose, but I know that dancing with the other nyanyas and some of the mothers of our children was wonderful fun! In fact, at one point Elizabeth said to me, "You are a really good dancer!" and I replied that I LOVE to dance! All in all, the afternoon was an incredible success and a good time was had by all.

Children reciting

Teacher and students singing

Grandchildren performing

A dancing mama

At the top of the slide

Nyanyas dancing

On the playground

Feelings were bittersweet at the end of the afternoon as we bid "Kwa Herini" to the grandmothers. Of course, their oft-repeated question was, "When will you be coming back?" but for Mae and me, there was no good reply because we both realize returning may not happen again...that this was indeed "Good-by" in the deepest and truest sense of the word. Thankfully, the joy of the afternoon pervaded the air and drove away any sadness, so eyes remained tearless and smiles stayed bright, even as we drove away from this place where yet another piece of my heart remains.

Some of our Nyanyas

The Three Musketeers- Mae, Mary, and Me