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Frank and Edwin came to the hotel today to meet me since we planned to go shopping for more things Nicole and I discussed about purchasing for the school after our discussion with everyone last night. As I came into the lobby, they were coming through the security checkpoint at the front door and said they were pleasantly surprised to be able to get in. Apparently many of the downtown hotels that cater to Westerners and businessmen don’t allow anyone from “outside” in regardless of whether they are meeting a hotel guest or not. I invited them up to our room since Frank was going to look at a few things on my laptop for me. They couldn’t believe the size of the room and the fact that there were 2 washrooms. While Frank worked on my laptop, Edwin asked me to take a photo of him at the Hilton since he said it was the first and probably last time he would be in one. I often feel embarrassed that things seem to be excessive with us…I rarely talk about the way of life at home for us since I’m just content about trying to fit into their way
of life.
Nicole and I decided that we were going to really spoil the kids at Tenderfeet. Margaret was talking about how she rents a “screen” (a tv set) and a dvd player once a month for the children to watch their favourite show, “Tom and Jerry”. This is their absolutely favourite thing to do since none of them have access to a tv or cartoons that all of us grew up on. Nicole and I decided to be a bit indulgent with our donation money to purchase a tv, dvd player and the oscillating fans that are so desperately needed. Believe it or not, the donations are still coming in, even though we’re here. As we spend it, it gets replenished every time we turn around (which is fabulous by the way!!) THANKS AGAIN!
I told Frank and Edwin of our plan and they were beyond excited. We found a little hole-in-the-wall electronics store and I got my first lesson in bargaining Kenyan-style (with a little help from my friends!). After all was said and done, we walked out with a 21” tv (the biggest they had), a Sony DVD player, 10 DVDs for the kids to
watch, 2 oscillating stand-up fans and an antennae to bring in the few local tv stations. All of this amounted to $350 Canadian dollars - not much money to us, but these are pure luxuries that Tenderfeet may not have the opportunity to have any time soon. Again, I found myself the centre of attention as curious onlookers couldn’t believe we made such a purchase.
I also purchased mini chocolate bars for the kids today since we insist on spoiling them to the max while we’re here. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the school, the power was out in all of Kibera for repairs. While this doesn’t happen all the time, we were disappointed that we couldn’t put a movie on and surprise the kids. We’ll have to wait until Monday now. Margaret was so surprised to see what we got up to today! She’ll have to store everything at her home and bring them over when they plan to watch and enjoy partly because of security and partly because of the lack of space. Now instead of once a month, the kids will be able to enjoy cartoons like Tom and Jerry, the Pink Panther, Spiderman and movies
like Shrek, Shark Tale and all the Disney classics at least once or twice a week. How great is that?
Frank, Edwin and I also walked over to Edwin’s house which is about a 15 minute walk from Tenderfeet. He lives with his brother in a much different kind of house. He rents a small room in a 4-storey building that has electricity, water, and latrines on the main floor. He has finished college as an electrical engineer (he is 25 years old), but like so many Kenyans, cannot find work in his field. Also, like so many Kenyans I have met, he is helping to support his younger brother through college as well. His parents live about 500 kms away in the country and run a small orphanage. I am so curious about what things cost here and have apologized time and again for being so nosy…I am always so surprised to hear the answer. Depending on where you attend college and what subjects you are taking, Edwin said on average the tuition is 16,000 Kenyan shillings ($256) which includes food as well for a 3 month period. The usual school year consists of 3 terms.
We
toured a bit more of Kibera and went back to the market for Frank to buy himself a new pair of shoes. I love the market - the atmosphere is so friendly and it’s obviously a central place where people from all over Kibera come not just to shop, but to catch up with friends. Frank is moving to a new place outside of Kibera - apparently it is very difficult to find vacancies within Kibera itself. I asked how you find a vacancy and Edwin told me that you have to pay a real estate agent to do the searching for you. Can you believe that? I could come and work here no problem…I will have to find out about the pay first! Frank is sad to be leaving Kibera, especially since he says that the more rent you pay somewhere, the less likely you can count on your neighbours. In a place like Jacqueline lives, you rely so much on your neighbours if you can’t quite make it yourself, but in a place like Edwin’s, neighbours tend to keep more to themselves and close the doors when they are home for privacy. Frank is worried that it won’t
be an open door policy where he is moving to.
I have no concept of time here - one hours runs into another with break neck speed and after our visiting Edwin’s and the market again, school was already over and I missed giving the kids their chocolate! I was so disappointed, but we’ll try again on Monday.
We have also “sponsored” a school trip to a place called Mobasa Village, about a 20 minute drive from the school on Tuesday. Margaret has arranged for a large bus to hold all the children and the teachers. We’ll pack a lunch and got to Mombassa Village to see animals and play in the park. We are very excited about this trip, especially as Nicole will be able to come with u
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