Most Memorable Event in Kenya

It's been a month since we got back from the Nairobi Engagement. I can only reminisce with joy and be thankful for this awesome and meaningful episode in my life. As I am asked by friends and office mates "What was the most memorable event about this community development effort?" I would have no ready answer as all of the experiences with friends we made were great moments.

When I reflect on those 2 weeks, I would ask myself was it the workshops we conducted on "Sex and Sexuality", "Photography", "Basics of Marketing" and "Introduction to Computers and the Internet" ? The interaction and learning was symbiotic. It was a "feel good" experience because we were contributing something meaningful to the girls' lives. We were passing on lifetime skills for their future. We were sharing a part of us that could be of value to them...and we were getting to know them more as persons and friends and more so learning from them. But no it was not the most memorable experience.

Was it the walk-thru in the poverty-stricken slums, the visit to individual humble homes , the clean-up of their community, the talk with the forsaken mothers that gave us a tiny inkling of what their tragic and difficult lives were all about living hand-to-mouth day to day? This surely was a soul searching, humbling, enlightening education of the heart. But it was not the most memorable.

Then maybe the most memorable event was the Safe Spaces Community Festival and Basketball Camp on Feb 14 where we were treated with a variety of traditional as well as modern African dances. It was entertainment galore as there was satirical drama, humorous poetry and lively dancing and singing! The basketball camp was fun too as we observed the competitive spirit of the whole community. It was a celebration of all their accomplishments for the week as awards were handed out to all participants and winners. This was THE culmination of it all. But it was not the most memorable.

Oh yes, the most memorable event must have been the thanksgiving picnic we had in Arboretum Park. It was the day before our departure and we had fun and games with all the girls that sunny and breezy afternoon in that peaceful and serene park. This was where all donations- shoes, clothing, souvenir pins and stickers, candies and snacks were handed out to the 60 girls of Safe Spaces. These goods came from generous Aeroplan employees and friends...and they were joyfully received by the kids. As a token of their appreciation, the zonal leader girls, together with Nish gave their thank you speeches as we likewise responded. Then we three representatives from Aeroplan were gifted with a humongous farewell card and a cake. At the end we said our goodbyes to the girls and gave our farewell hugs. It was a sad moment for us all. This must have been the most memorable event! It could have been but no, it was not.

The most memorable event was on the evening of our departure at the airport. We were saying our goodbyes to local coordinators Nish, Ndichu and three of the zonal leaders Joy, Helen and Linda. To Nish and Ndichu we owe our heartfelt thanks for their hospitality, help and efforts for making it a hugely successful trip. If not for them, we would have been lost like tourists oblivious to the realities and dangers in our midst. We were fond of Joy, Helen and Linda. They were like my buddies and adopted daughters. Joy was the tomboyish girl who was quite an avid basketball player (Ms. Micha Joy-dan I call her) and she had dreams of becoming an electrical engineer. Helen was into photography, soccer and basketball and had dreams of a career in computers. Linda on the other hand was the more gracious of the three, skilled in dancing, singing and had 'rhythm' for life. Despite her HIV + condition (from a blood tranfusion) she was energetic and passionate about what she did. The one-on-one goodbye talks we had with the girls were all tearful moments. I remember when I had my talk with Linda, she mentioned how much of a blessing we were to them...to share our time, skills and be a part of their lives. I thanked her but reminded her that she and the girls were in fact a bigger blessing and also a great inspiration for us all -- that despite their life's challenges and difficulties, they had hope, the will to live and the desire to rally and help their fellow girls. All through this, she was sobbing like a child on my shoulder. And then she asked with look of sadness in her teary eyes, as if it were our last meeting, "When will we see you again?" Philosophically I answered: "Not to worry, we will try to be back but if we do not, there's email. Let's pray for each other for in prayer we will all be together as we all have one common Father." I gave her one last hug and with a heavy heart bid her "Kwaheri". Little did I know that would be the last goodbye. Just a few days ago I was made aware of a jolting news... I was advised that our Linda had passed away due to her HIV sickness. This parting moment at the airport was the most memorable and cherished moment. As I end this blog, I can not hold back the tears for Linda.

Linda Nyangasi may not be with us today, but in spirit, her joi de vivre, faith and hope despite sickness and difficulties -- will forever be etched in my heavy heart.

IN MEMORY OF LINDA WHO STOOD FOR SAFE SPACES' CAUSE, LET US MAKE AN EFFORT TO DONATE FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVED IN -- HOPE. THESE GIRLS ARE OUR HEROES AND WE CAN BE THEIR HOPE. WE WILL BE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE HELP US MAKE THEIR DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT. AEROPLAN GOES BEYOND MILES AND WE CAN GO BEYOND OUR COMFORT ZONES TO GIVE.

FOR MORE PICTURES ON THE NAIROBI ENGAGEMENT PLS. CLICK ON
IRENE MORDEN PHOTO GALLERY
JOSE ENAGE VIDEO CLIPS

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