What's up? (the past 3 days)

There is so much to tell...I will jump from different days and may add another blog later to finish up what we've been thru since Sunday.
On Monday, we had a full day orientation with Fadhili Community. We found out where we would be staying and who we would be working with. Due to my 3 month stay, I was assigned to KENWA (Kenyan Women with AIDS). The 3-month stay would allow for home visits, plus follow-ups. Kevin from New York was assigned with me. Louise was actually assigned to live and work with totally different people/organizations....WHAT? Kinda defeats the purpose of her joining me for 5 weeks. We were able to switch her assignment. The 3 of us are staying with Mama Lydia. I had read about her on the IVHQ website - other volunteers raved about her. She is a beautiful, kind soul with the most jovial and hearty laugh - I think we will get along great!
Lets backtrack....when we were at Nancy's the first 2 nights, it was a huge upgrade from our last African trip - we had bunkbeds, running water and a "sometimes" flushing toilet. After 2 days, we wished we had brought our solar showers - we only had cold water - brrrr!.
Well...thankfully Louise is here, because we know she has a horseshoe stuck up "somewhere" and when she asks for something - she gets it...so she says, "I hope we have hot water for showers at our new home". As it turns out, we are probably the only volunteers who do!! (Louise, Kevin and me). Lydia's house is huge! We have our own separate bunkhouse - Louise and I share a room. - with not only electricity, bunkbeds, sink toilet, shower...but a button you press if you want a hot shower - WOW!!
The 3 of us have decided we shouldn't feel guilty because we will be working in the 2nd largest slum everyday (Korogocho) - dirty, smelly, tin dwellings... you can't imagine! In contrast, we believe we deserve a bit of spoiling once we get home - don't you think that's fair?
Tuesday, Mama Lydia drove us to KENWA only to discover they now charge a fee to volunteer (??) She, and Joe at Fadhili don't agree with this, so she connected us with a young man, David, who grew up in the slums and is now part of a brand new NGO called UMAY (Uplifting Men and Youth). This has been started by a past volunteer (registered just in Dec). David brought us on a tour of the slums...yes, just like what you have seen on TV - it is devastating! But we met some amazing people who are trying to improve the situation. I will write more about this in another blog and hopefully attach pictures.
Today, Wed., David brought us to Nairobi city proper - CBD (Central Business District) and downtown (pictures attached). I wanted you to see pictures of the city, so you see how much like T.O. it is. It was a good day - oh! except that just as we were about to travel back to Mama's, someone from behind grabbed my ear and RIPPED the earring right out - ouch! A little shocking and sore, but I guess it could have been worse. It shows how different areas have different values. We spent a day in the slums with extreme poverty and were safe, but then spent a day in the city, where there is more wealth and then get assaulted. Oh well! Chalk that up as a new experience!

We are now going to be assigned to work with UMAY (instead of KENWA) which is exciting. It is brand new, so leaves quite an open window for new ideas, projects and programs. We will meet the founder next week (Adam). He is originally from Australia and is visiting there now.

I will go into more details about the slum in a later blog, but will share a wonderful experience with you before I end this. In discussions yesterday, it came out that David was actually an orphan and struggled in the slums as a child. He joined a program called OVC (Orphaned and Vulnerable Children) which is run by World Vision. He was able to get assistance for schooling and currently holds a diploma in computer tech. He hopes one day to get his degree and maybe a masters. His drive and passion are overwhelming, and he is a wonderful young man (26 yrs) with so much hope and compassion. He has partnered with Adam as another founder, and although is not currently earning any money with UMAY, is still so passionate about the work and the development and the potential benefits to his childhood "home". As many of you know, I have been a World Vision sponsor for 15 years - how wonderful for me to see firsthand how this organization can impact a child - so for all those who question where the money goes - YES, it does go to the children!! :o)

Nancy and her son, Frank

Kenyan Intn'l Conference Centre - City Hall

Mama's house

Our bunkhouse

Me, David and Kevin in Nairobi city