Sharon


Tuesday, June 29th -- Cooking

This morning I went to 7:15 am mass, had oatmeal for breakfast, and then went to school. Julia and I continued to organize and clean out the giant dumpster container and will finish this project by tomorrow morning. We had a half day at the school because of our cooking lesson! Anthony, the man who cooks the meals for the Friars, agreed to give us a lesson on cooking some of the staple foods that we have been eating. Chapatti, secuma, and ugali.

The source of this lesson stems from the lofty plans that Julia and I made for next week. We were brainstorming what would be a good, edible treat that we could make for all 220 students. After contemplating making cookies, brownies, and a few other ideas, we decided on making them chapatti. We plan on surprising all of the students on the Saturday the 10th. This is the day before we leave Kisumu.

While waiting for the chapatti dough to sit, I finished the book “Nickel and Dimed” which I have been absorbed by the past few days. After completing the book, I kept thinking about how easy it is to take thing for granted. In the US, the number of people who have a job and still struggle on welfare is extremely high. Many times the poor in the US go neglected because the wealthy are in denial of this extreme problem. Being on my trip, I have seen more than ever that there is no job that is ever beneath me. Certain jobs are definitely more glamorous than others. But the unpretentious ones are often the most necessary.

One of my favorite books is the “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He opens his book with the lines:
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.’”
The American Dream of working hard to earn a successful, prosperous life is not how the equation always works out. It is necessary to walk in another person’s shoes to know what their life is comprised of. Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of “Nickel and Dimed”, is admirable for her willingness to take a chance and leave her fairly comfortable life as a journalist to experience and document the struggles of making minimum wage or below minimum wage while paying for rent and food in three different cities.

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Here is the recipe for Chapatti that I jotted down while it was being prepared (serves 28):
- 1 ½ packs of flour (2 kg)
- 1 table spoon on salt
- Cornoil
- Milk
- Optional: finely grated peppers, carrots, onions
- * Warning: we did not measure the oil, water, or salt! Use with your discretion.

First mix the flour and 1 pack of flour. Pour about 3 tablespoons of corn oil. Rub the contents together until it is a sandy texture. Pour lukewarm about ½ a cup of water and ¼ of a cup of milk into the mixture. Mix with your fingers and add more milk if it feels dry.
Then, flour a surface where you can spread the dough and knead it together toward its center. Flour the pot. Place the ball of dough in the pot and lightly sprinkle oil over the dough to keep it moist. Let the dough sit for 40 minutes while it is covered in the pot.

Then, knead the dough, add flour, and roll the dough with a rolling pin. Spread oil with over the dough once it is flat. Cut the dough with a knife or pizza cutter into 10 thin, long slices. Roll each strip into a ball. Cut some of the strips if they are too big. Try to have 14 balls of dough. Then roll each of the 14 balls until they are flat and thin.

Blanching: Heat a frying pan on medium heat. Put the circle of dough on the empty pan, let it heat for 30 seconds, and flip once it starts to bubble. For a fluffy, drier taste, skip the browning!

Browning: For a moister taste, continue! Put the chapatti back into the pan one at a time. Add oil and spin the chapatti in the pan and flip (Anthony’s tip: just like a dj spins cds).

Lastly, cut each circle in half. Either fold the chapatti or roll it up. Enjoy :)

Monday, June 28th -- Love Never Fails

Today is Julia’s 20th Birthday! We ate breakfast and then went to the school where everyone was so excited to wish her well on her special day. Julia went into town to pickup her friend Michelle who is coming to visit for the day. She is spending 10 weeks in Kenya working for Maasai Girls Education Fund. The fund gives families of girls the amount that they would receive in a dowry for an early marriage in the form of a scholarship for education. Many Maasai girls are not educated and this program seems truly brilliant in their work.

I went into the giant construction container (basically a dumpster with a top on it) at the school. It was donated to the school and is being used for storing stray books. I began this large organizational project of taking inventory and sorting through the hundred of dusty books that were all mixed together in sacks and cardboard boxes. I separated them by subject and grade level. “Pole, pole” (slowly, slowly) I made a dent in the stacks upon stacks of books. These books will eventually be able to be a library for the students! Since I uncovered a surplus of text books in there, many teachers will be able to use these in their classes so this will also save the school money. What could have been painstakingly tedious and mundane in the dark and stuffy dumpster was not that way at all. I kept thinking about how wonderful of a resource it will be once it is organized and cleaned.

One part of life that has been difficult for me to grasp is the use of cell phones. The poorest of the poor have cell phones. Many land lines are no longer in existence. The homes on top of the hill where we are located do not even have the option of having a landline. About 2 years ago, the landline companies were unreliable because people used to steal the cables that connect the bottom to the top of the hill. The cables are valuable items to sell. They were phased out over time since the phones would only work 50% of the time. Also, the poor keep their phones since that is their only means of being contacted if work is available. Some homes with electricity charge 5 shillings to let people charge their cell phones for those that do not have the luxury of electricity. Hence, cell phone companies are thriving!

Two of the girls stopped by our house with a card for Julia. I went with them to play football (soccer) on the field. It was one of the most intense games I’ve ever played. I can honestly say this after playing on competitive teams from the age of 7-18. The hard ball we used was very worn out with the stitching for the seams no longer in existence. The field was solid dirt which did not phase anyone. Everyone wore their school shoes, flip flops, or went barefoot. No shin guards. No water breaks. And certainly, no orange slices at half time. These teams were relentless, competitive, and filled with raw talent. Knowing too well how so many boys and girls on Long Island spend hours upon hours with private trainers, special select teams, top of the line equipment, and so much money spent in the pursuit of becoming a better player. The boys and girls I played with today are much more talented without any instruction than so many people I have played with. If they are given any of the perks we have at home, their potential would be outstanding. Being around all the boys and girls for a few weeks, I am not surprised by how tough they are. The ball we played with was so hard it really hurt every time I kicked or headed it. Rather than complaining, if someone really felt the ball hitting them like a bullet, they would just laugh it off. No sympathy points in the football games.

I showered quickly and then went with Julia and Michelle to the Sister’s convent for our weekly Monday dinner. Mango and banana pancakes with potatoes and chicken sausage were on the menu for tonight. The sisters picked a bouquet of flowers and made a banner for Julia. We sand Happy Birthday and had cake #2. Before dinner, we said Grace and Sister Remea picked out a special reading that she read out to us with soft music playing in the background. This reading, which is often read at weddings or funerals, has always been special for me but has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the TRUTH. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This was very fitting for the time and place. I feel like I have joined the family at Our Lady of Grace. The love they have shown me is apparent in every second of every day. Love keeps belief, hope, and endurance alive. The interests of one person are the interests of another. Failing to believe in the truth is not even an option. The love here is selfless and invigorating. Whether it is in giving my teammate a high five after her goal, rocking one of the babies to sleep to give her mom a break, or encouraging one of the boys in class, I hope so much that what Julia and I are doing here is nurturing them in some way. It’s hard not knowing what I do or say will sink in and stick with them.

Sunday, June 27th -- Hippo Point!

Julia and I went to 7:30 am mass at Our Lady of Grace. Like always, the mass was very lively and upbeat even at such an early hour. The students do a terrific job of orchestrating the music. During the songs, everyone is waving their arms in the air and clapping to the beat of the bongos. A group of 6 girls are liturgical dancers on Sundays. The girls wore very pretty navy blue and gold sarongs. Mass is a bit longer here is Kenya, but everyone stays attentive even when they are dancing in their seats. During the masses and their days, there is a time for everything – whether its concentrating or rejoicing.

We came back to bake a two cakes for Julia’s birthday. One is for tonight and one is for tomorrow when we eat at the Sister’s convent. We did not realize how ambitious of a plan it would be. We made the cake without measuring cups so we resorted to our best estimates. Also, they do not sell icing in Kenya so we decided to use Nutella. The slight problem was that the super market did not have Nutella so we then chose chocolate peanut butter. To complicate things a little bit more, the peanut butter here is much more natural so it is not as delicious as Skippy! As you can guess, we probably looked like Lucy and Ethel trying to make this cake with the oven with the severely fading temperature gauge in Celsius.

Father Kevin, Sister Remea, Sister Alvera, Julia and I went to Hippo Point at Lake Victoria. On our drive there, we passed by the mud hut that Father Kevin and some of the older boys at the school built. It has an earth floor, sides made out of mud and stones with slim timber beams to support the hardened mud, and a modest tin roof. The two room house was built for a widow and her five children who suffer from the foot disease jiggers.

Lake Victoria is only 80 m deep but covers an area of 70,000 sq. km. It has shores on Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. At Hippo Point, we took a small boti (boat) out to see the hippos. They only come up for two seconds as their eyes and ears emerge from underneath the water. In the middle of the night, they come to rest on the shore. The average kiboko (hippo) weighs 3 tons! We luckily caught a few quick glimpses of them just as it started to drizzle. Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world! From the boat, we could see a few impalas at their sanctuary. There were also beautiful canary yellow birds flying among their nests along with otters in the water.

The Lake is harmed by the water hyacinth plants that are especially apparent starting in December. Water hyacinth stifles the fishing industry. The plants tie themselves together to form huge mats. It is a big financial burden also since it is so costly to control. We also saw a shipment of sacks of coal from Uganda coming in by boat. The quality of coal from Uganda is very good. The Lake is a popular tourist spot. On our way back, we stopped at a market. My bargaining skills have improved since I was somehow able to talk my way into getting the best prices. Good news: our vanilla cake with chocolate peanut butter "frosting" and colored sprinkles was a big hit at dessert! Phew.

Julia’s blog is www.juliagoestokenya.blogspot.com.

Saturday, June 26th

This morning I made French Toast and a cup of coffee after mastering the manual coffee pot. We went to school at 10:00 am when the children were on their cleaning hour. One of the maintenance men was cutting the grass using a humongous machete looking tool. He just took giant swings back and forth getting quite a workout. It made me think how often at home Americans take for granted the use of a lawn mower.

Julia and I went to the grocery store with the Sisters Alvera, MM, and Remea.
On Saturdays, 2:00 pm – 5:15 pm is strictly set aside for entertainment. They wait all week for this. Everyone gathers in the dining hall, clears the chairs to the sides, and lets loose! The African music is blasting and everyone is dancing non-stop. Those who aren’t dancing, are sitting around in a big circle clapping or stomping their feet to the beat. Each age group seems so have their niche. The older boys are the djs. I was dancing while holding one of the babies who was giggling the whole time. Then three of the girls insisted on braiding my hair.

After dinner, Julia and I setup and supervised the showing of the Disney movie, “The Princess and the Frog.” We turned the dining hall into a movie theatre just like last week. The projector that Sister Mary brought has been such a treat for all the students to facilitate them watching movies once a week. I hope that the US wins in their game tonight against Ghana!!! Everyone at the compound is split between cheering for the US and Ghana.

Friday, June 25th - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Today at school, I requested a list of the children who are either not yet sponsored or are no longer being sponsored. Bright, one of the women who works as part of the administrative team, is compiling that for me. I stopped by the babies rooms this morning to see them. One of the babies, Leon, has malaria but is already on medicine for it. Unlike many people who visit the country, many Kenyans do not take malaria medication. Once they are sick, they go to the hospital and are put on medicine then.

At lunch time, I started to read the book, “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich. It is a novel about how Ehrenreich leaves her somewhat normal life as a journalist to live in low-wage America. She leads a different life by working in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart associate for about a month in each state.
On our way walking back to the school, Julia and I got caught in a downpour. Luckily, we had brought our rain jackets with us. The ground was wet from the rain earlier. I sunk into a big, hidden mud pile about 4 inches deep. Then, a huge truck flew by us on the highway and splashed us with mud! Ten seconds later we had to backtrack because a man was herding three of his cows down the tiny dirt path we were walking on. We had a very comical span of 10 minutes. As soon as we arrived at the school, the rain stopped. The children were all laughing hysterically at how we looked with my once yellow poncho covered in mud. You can’t sweat the small stuff.

At school, Julia and I watched the drama club perform a segment of their play from “Dreams of My Father” written by Obama. It was mostly Primary School students involved. They are such naturally talented singers, dancers, and overall performers. They have won awards for being one of the best groups out of all the Kenyan Primary Schools. I went with some of the girls to the field for “games and sports” time. We didn’t have any equipment to use so I decided to have a track practice with them. Together, we did drills, sprints, and an Indian run. They LOVED it! I’m hoping that I can start a running group with those who enjoy it especially for when they don’t have a soccer ball to use. They have speed, coordination, and awesome potential. Just as it was about to rain again, I walked the girls back to school. I quickly showered and then went to Vespers, dinner, and Compline. I’m happy that Julia finally was able to share her love of drama with the students and that I was able to coach the girls on some running techniques.

Thursday, June 24th -- Running!

Today I woke up at 6:30 am, and I went for a run outside of the compound and through a maize field! This adventurous run was exactly what I needed. Where we are in Kisumu is on the top of a hill so it is a little difficult to breathe while running. The path I took was down the dirt road that is covered in rocks which reminded me of when I ran cross-country in high school. I'm going to incorporate going for more runs into my routine. The weather here is very predictable. From about 7:00 am - 3:00 pm it is usually in the mid 80s to about 90 degrees. Then at around 3:00 or 4:00 pm, it will rain for about an hour. By night time it gets a little cooler.

I showered and had breakfast before going to school. At school, I helped out with the babies!!! I have been getting much closer with some of the older girls. Catherine, the mother of baby Shakira, is sick with malaria. I spent a lot of time in her room making sure she was okay and playing with Shakira. I also was with Marylynne who is Maxine's mother. I really enjoyed helping in this aspect today. The babies are recognizing me more and more each day.

Later on, I helped teach 11th grade English with Madame Jemima. We taught the class about conditional clauses and reviewed on of the books they have been reading. The students here have very good grammar and speak very well in English.

Wednesday, June 23rd -- The Invitation

Many people have sent me motivational quotes and poems. Here is one that I really like a lot. Its called "The Invitation."

"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own. If you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or remember the limitations of being a human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even if it's not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary, bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."

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Today I was thinking about how strong the women are here. They carry up to 20 liters of water in a basin on their head while carrying their baby in a papoose wrapped around their back. There is a tap of clean water outside the compound where the Friars and Sisters take turns supplying clean water to parts of the community. The women transport it back to their homes which are not always very close.

Another little fact…there are a ton of insects here. The mosquitoes we try to keep away to prevent malaria. I have been taking medicine to prevent malaria every day that I’ve been here. There are many geckos here that are about 4 or 5 inches long. They are harmless and eat the mosquitoes. In a strange way, its encouraged to disregard them if they’re in your house!

Tuesday, June 22nd

Today I woke up, showered, and went to 7:15 am mass. I had oatmeal with cinnamon after. I’ve been having cinnamon in my coffee instead of sugar and it is very good! Unfortunately, Julia and I locked ourselves out of our little house because the door locked behind us. We had to go through the collection of 20 spare keys in the house to see which one it was.

Once at school, we finished the assignment board we had started. I helped teach Madame Dorothy’s 10th grade English class. Today’s topic was pronunciation and adverbs. Then, I photographed the 12th grade girls who were taking their Provincial Exam in their Home Science class. Their exam was a culinary one that required them to prepare a meal of cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, and red meat in one of the small huts. They cooked them on small coal, jiko stoves. It seems like a very practical class, and the girls that were being examined were working very diligently since they were placed under a time limit.

After lunch, I sampled the appetizing meal that the girls made and were extremely proud of. I was so happy to see them feel so accomplished. I took a trip with Sister Mary, Maria, and Julia into the city of Kisumu to run some errands and talk to some of the companies who supply food for the school. I purchased an internet modem and more time on the cell phone that Julia and I are sharing.

Also, we stopped at the chain grocery store called “Tuskys.” Although I consider myself a healthy eater at home, I have definitely eaten healthier than ever on this trip. I have a big sweet tooth and have not had any sweets since I left. Julia and I indulged ourselves a little and each bought a chocolate bar. My piece of Kenyan Cadbury Dark Chocolate hit the spot. After eating lots of ugali and secuma, I have been craving dark chocolate and red meat. Now I think I’ll be satisfied until I come home.

I’ve been motivated to keep reading when I get the chance to give my brain some exercise. Julia and I each brought a few books, and I have received some good recommendations of books to read since I’ve been here. We also started to do our own ab workout before bed every night.

Monday, June 21st -- Asante Sana -- "Thank You"

I woke up at 6:15 am this morning, put in a load of laundry at 6:30 am, and then went to 7:15 am mass. I’m used to the early schedule now since I go to bed so early. I’m definitely more of a morning person. For breakfast I had oatmeal, a banana, and a cup of coffee. While waiting for my laundry to finish, I finished reading one of Julia’s books called “Female Nomad and Friends” by Rita Golden Gelman. It was a terrific collection of short stories about women traveling, learning, exploring, and taking risks. Each story is accompanied by a recipe that somehow relates to each cross-cultural experience.

I taught the 10th grade Business Studies class today in one of the outdoor huts. There are about 6 huts at the school that have straw roofs and no sides. Classes are held either in a classroom or in a hut. The lesson was about government interactions with businesses. Even though the governments in Kenya and the US are quite different, I focused on the commonalities that are most successful.
Julia and I created 2 posters for the new dishwashing system that specify which children will be washing and drying their dishes for each meal. This small implementation will hopefully foster responsibility, teamwork, and good hygiene. The Sisters invited Julia and me over for dinner at 6:30 pm. We hurried home after school to slice a pineapple to bring with us. I love that pineapples are very abundant here! We arrived early to help prepare dinner for the 6 of us. We had ice, wheat rolls, and a concoction of cooked squash, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, onions, and cabbage. We peeled everything and then cooked it together. It was very healthy and delicious! Any type of fruit or vegetable here that has skin needs to be peeled off or washed with boiling water since the water is contaminated. To be safe, I always peel it off. I was very thankful that they invited us over to eat. We work together all day so it was great to relax and enjoy each others company.

Before we sat down to dinner, the Dominican Sisters, similar to the Friars, have a set of prayers that they say. One of the prayers said to “love without limit” and to “let yourself be rooted in holiness.” After the prayers, we reflected on those two lines. I know that I am already very attached to the children at the school and that while I am here I should not hold back at all with what I can help with. The people here have been so kind to me and shown me such love that I hope it can be a chain reaction of continuing to spread. I hope that the roots that have been planted here can transcend Our Lady of Grace School and educate those at home about the good work that is done here. After dinner, two of the askari (guards from the school) walked Julia and me back to our house.

Sunday, June 20th - Stay Curious

This morning I woke up at 6:00 am to take my first HOT shower in 13 days! Julia and I moved into the small house where the postulants were staying. We promised the Friars that we would make a big French Toast breakfast for everyone. I headed over to the kitchen around 7:15 am for breakfast to be served at 8:00 am. It was a BIG hit among all the novices and priests.

Later, we finished moving our belongings to the house and went to 10:00 am mass. After mass, there was an all day meeting for the members of the Dominican laity in the community. I met some more of the local members of the Church. I did my laundry and read almost all day. I finished my first book and am working on my second one. I was able to call home for Father’s Day. Luckily, Mom, Dad, Christine, and John had receptions from the cabana at the beach.

At dinner, Julia, Father Kevin, and I sat in the living room to eat and reflect so far on our trip. We plan to do this every Sunday. I feel relaxed and refreshed after our low-key day and ready to start a new week. My brain has been like a sponge lately. I’m trying to absorb as much of everything around me as I can. I need to stay curious and keep educating myself both now and when I get back home.

Saturday, June 19th

Saturday, June 19th

Today I went to 8:00 am mass at Our Lady of Grace. Mass was said by Father Martin. The children were in charge of the music. Every single child was singing loudly and clearly in Swahili along with using their bongo drums. I haven’t cried at all since I’ve been away, but I almost started crying out of being so touched at how talented the children are. Now more so than ever, I have seen how much of a family they truly are. Father Martin encouraged them to all be the best they can possibly be. He also reminded them to pray to Mary who will always be their Mother. With the family they all comprise at Our Lady of Grace, they will never be alone.

After lunch, I worked in the green house that was donated by an NGO. With the tremendous help of some of the older boys and some of the grounds workers, we raked the soil which had been infested with butterfly eggs and is not fertile the way it currently is. We raked and helped build 5 rows that are about 1 meter wide with room for proper irrigation through mini pipes. The rows will be used to plant watermelon, butternut squash, eggplant, and tomatoes. These crops will be used by the students so they will reap the results of their work. Today I was able to get to know more of the younger children better including Immanuel and Jasmine. Immanuel was born without any limbs in the area by Mt. Kilimanjaro. He participates in everything and amazes me with how he is able to compensate with almost every action. Many of the children were telling me what they want to be when they grow up! They plan to be everything from pilots to engineers to teachers etc.

At 2:00 pm, we setup their dining hall into a makeshift movie theatre for the Primary Students to watch Shrek. Julia and I taught ourselves some technological skills to use speakers, a projector, and dvd player to make this activity work. At first, we were not able to get the sound to work. However, the students were so entertained by the movie, even without sound, that they didn’t seem to mind. Eventually, we got it to work with the help of the older boys and Sister Mary! Without being asked, so many of the students are so graciously willing to pitch in with everything. After dinner, the Secondary Students watched Avatar.

Friday, June 18th -- Don't say NO

Today I went to 7:15 am mass and then made French Toast for breakfast! It was a bit of a trial and error process, even making something so basic, because the old fashioned stove is either a giant flame or nothing at all. In the end, I added some cinnamon and it hit the spot :)

At school, Julia, Sister Mary, and I restructured the kitchen. We moved tables and cabinets while also creating a barrier out of a wooden plank and two wooden chairs. The kitchen will be more efficient now, and the barrier will help facilitate the organization when meals are distributed. The children will now line up alongside the barrier rather than all rushing up to be served at once. We put our minds together to be creative out of the resources we had.

Hygiene is a problem throughout Kenya and Africa. Many of the children share plates and cups and do not see the need for using any utensils. They share because they either lost the one they were given or they bring it home when they go home for holiday. It is too costly to keep distributed new ones because then some people will take advantage of the system. Julia and I made a rotating system where the students from 6th-12th grade will take turns washing and drying dishes and cups. Rather than have the children be responsible for their own and taking them back to their bed room, they will now all be stored in the kitchen. This will create some organization, allow them to share their chores together, and enable better hygiene because everything will be cleaned.

Today, Mary went to the hospital for what we thought was labor! She’s 16 and is 8 months pregnant. She was going to be at the hospital alone which is not as uncommon here as it is in the US. When I found this out, Julia and I instinctively volunteered to meet her at the hospital to be there with her while she was going through labor. In Kenyan, you are allowed to be with the mother throughout when she is having contractions, but only the doctors are allowed in the room for the actual birth of the baby. I put myself in her position, and I cannot even imagine how difficult it would be to go through that alone at any age. Just as we were about to leave, we received a phone call at the school that it was a false alarm! Later on when I was recalling the events of the day, I surprised myself at how I was less hesitant in the situation than I thought I would be. Since I’ve been here, I have been trying to accept every task as something that needs to be done without being too shocked about it. I've also been trying to embrace everything without saying "no" to any opportunity.

After school, I came back and read parts of “Lonely Planet’s Kenya” book from the small library on the compound. I learned that almost everyone is Kisumu has a last name that ends in “O” including Obama! For dinner, we had chappati which is a really delicious rolled up pita. I also had some avocado among other things. Following dinner, we went to Compline which has become a really nice way to end each day. Before going to bed, I quickly called Christine to talk with her on the phone for the first time since I’ve been gone!

Thursday, June 17th - Stay Busy

Today I woke up, showered as quickly as possible, and had a banana and melon for breakfast. At the school, I took many pictures that will be used to revamp the current website for “Father Tom’s Kids” (the foundations for all of the students at Our Lady of Grace School and Orphanage). This morning, I met the matrons who live at the school to care for the children overnight. I also met the precious infants of some of the girls. These infants were absolutely adorable. I was so saddened though to know that they are very prone to illness because of the conditions they are in. Today happened to be a very buggy day out, and there were flies swarming some of the infants. Our Lady of Grace is such a comforting, amazing place where the children are so blessed by the many people who care for them. I really hope that I can help specifically the infant babies while I am here.

There are some language barriers between British English which the students are taught and American English. Two of the girls, Loreen and Iddah, who have found me every day I’ve been at the school walk around with the biggest smiles on their faces that I have ever seen. They asked me if I was married today because I had a ring on my finger. I laughed and then proceeded to explain that I had a claddagh ring on and not an engagement ring. I told them the meaning of a claddagh ring is broken down into three main parts of a crown, a heart, and two hands representing loyalty, love, and friendship. They really liked hearing about this Irish tradition. Some of the children were also mesmerized by my hair! Some of them have never seen blonde hair that has a much softer texture then theirs. They were all begging to braid it.

At 11:20 am, I taught the Business Studies class to Form 1 (9th grade). The topic for today was the different components and levels that comprise the office staff along with their duties. Rather than having them memorize the definitions in the book, I tried my best to logically explain the lesson and keep them interested. I compared an office staff to a football (soccer) team by explaining that every member from the goalies to the left forward to the substitutes on the bench have a vital role. In a similar way, a manager, secretary, and accountant are all important even though certain positions may be paid more or perceived higher than others. We also talked about business ethics and certain jobs they would like to earn one day. Overall, I think that it went well!

After lunch, I changed into my running shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers to work in the shamba (field) where crops are grown to get rid of some of the weeds. After school, I went to one of the open fields down the street for “sports and games.” Julia and I taught everyone how to play PIG with the basketball and kickball. They, in turn, taught us how to play their favorite game called net ball by using a worn out soccer ball. We played these games with the older girls who are natural athletes. We all got some energy out after the long day. On the walk back to the compound, I walked by Margaret who cleans at the school. She was so surprised and appreciative that I remembered her name that she looked like she was about to cry. It struck me that something so simple can mean so much.

Just as I was about to shower, the light bulb went out! My shower in the dark with cold water was very quick. If this happened, I would usually be very annoyed and frustrated but the little, petty things that happen are not such a big deal. Now there is a big storm brewing outside with thunder, lightning, and what looks like is about to be a monsoon of rain! Today was really productive and busy which makes me feel like the presence of Julia and me here is meaningful.

Wednesday, June 16th - Live and Learn

"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer" - Rilke

Today I went to morning mass at 7:15 am, and then I quickly had tea and a piece of bread for breakfast before walking to the school. I helped Maria, the accountant, formulate and structure the budget in a more organized way. We went through her spreadsheets to compile the actual rather than the estimated cost of sponsoring a child. Maria is a very charismatic person who is juggling being a mother, working full time, and attending a University to finish her degree. She is from Kenya, her husband is from Italy, and she has a 2 year old daughter. She is teaching me bits and pieces of Swahili! She has a difficult job because there are so many needs of the school. Every child, office, and project at the school could always use more funding since many people who have sponsored children in the past no longer can because of the events in the economy. Many exceptions are also made based on individual need.

Today, I wish that I was a millionaire to solve many of these problems with a quick fix. Even though quick fixes usually do not facilitate sustainable solutions, I could not help but thinking how precious simple things are that I took for granted before this trip…such as CLEAN water. Once back on the compound, Julia and I went to Vespers and then “recreation time” which occurs every Wednesday night from 6:30-7:00 pm. Being naive I assumed that “recreation time” implied playing basketball or some outdoor athletic activity; however, everyone gathered in the living room for soda , popcorn, and peanuts. It was still great but not what I had assumed. At dinner, we ate papaya. I learned tonight that papaya and periwinkle leaves are excellent remedies for healing! I am definitely learning as many new things every day as I can! I know that not everything I'm being exposed to has answers but I hope that with time they will come.

Tuesday, June 15th - 1st Day of Teaching

Today I walked to Our Lady of Grace School at 8:00 am. To get there, I just need to walk 10 minutes down a rocky street thats covered in red dirt and then about 100 yards down a main road. Its a safe walk, although when cars go by I need to be careful. Because there are so many massive potholes, cars normally swerve on and off the road to avoid getting a flat tire. "Lanes" are not really existent. Needless to say, I walk very far off the road. Before leaving the compound, I had tea and a type of fried dough.

I helped teach Literature to Form 3 (Grade 11) with Madame Dorothy who is also 21. We focused on poetry and taught the students how to identify hyperboles and similes. She was a recepient of Dominican funding since she was separated from her parents when she was a baby and is teaching at the school until August when she will return to her University. She is such a dynamic person, and she is ecstatic that Julia and I are here to help and be her friends. She often goes to the early mass in the morning too. She is the one of the most positive, upbeat girls I know despite having gone through so much hardship.

I also helped with Business Studies for Form 1 (Grade 9). All the students cheered for me when I walked in, and they then sang a welcome song with clapping and stamping their feet! Today they learned the importance of and how to differentiate different office supplies. It was a very hands-on lesson because we took them to the secretary's office to try out using a stapler, stapler remover, hole-puncher, paper cutter etc. At 11:00 am, there is a break between classes and the teachers all have Kenyan chai tea.

At 1:00 pm, we brought a student, Mary, to he tailoring school to get elastic put in her uniform skirt. because she is pregnant. The Dominicans have established a tailoring school down the street as a trade school for students who have difficulty with academics after secondary school.

Later on, we met with Sister Mary, the Dominican sister from the US, and the accountant, Maria, to realistically see how much it costs to sponsor a child for one year. Julia and I brainstormed ideas of how we can fundraise once we return to PC. Currently, not all of the costs are being covered. I am using the skills that I've learned in my Business classes at PC to help Maria create an accurate budget of expenditures.

Sister Mary took us to the garden that the school has to show us some projects we can do with the students on Saturdays or after school. The garden needs to be improved for it to be fertile for crops to grow. At dinner, we ate tilappia, sweet potatoes, and ugali before going to Compile. The dinner table was definitely a bit quieter tonight now that all the postulates have left. Rather than fitting around 2 large tables, we can all fit around 1 table now.

Monday, June 14th

"When the majority realizes that the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace" -- Jimi Hendrix

This morning I woke up at 6:45 am and went to weekday mass which starts at 7:15 am. The chapel is 100 yards away from the room I'm staying in. Father Charles said mass and focused on the theme of "unconditional forgiveness." Forgiving others is not always an easy thing to do; however, it is an essential element to any family, friendship, or community. Peace cannot be reached without unconditional forgiveness.

After mass, I had breakfast which consisted of tea, a slice of pineapple, and an sliced avocado with balsamic vinegarette on this inside! I can guarantee that I have never had that for breakfast before. It was very good though. Its funny to me that at breakfast many people eat meat and vegetables like at any other meal.

After breakfast, we walked through town which is one small street right outside the compound. As we passed every single person, we waved and said "Jambo!" which is equivalent to their greeting. Many of the young children came up to us to shake our hands. The feeling of being welcomed into the town is amazing. We saw Our Lady of Grace School today which is where Julia and I will be volunteering for the next month. The school has 220 students among the nursery, primary, and secondary schools. There are children from newborns all the way up to about 20 years old. Mostly all of the students are orphans who have lost one or both parents. Many of the students live here for 10 months of the year and then if they have a home to go to, they will go there for 2 months. The students are supported by the "Father Tom's Kids" Foundation that involved people around the world who sponsor these students. The supportive group of Dominican brothers and sisters have really created a stable home and opportunity for many children who would not be so lucky. Recently, 3 Dominican sisters from the Philippines and 1 Dominican sister from the US came to work at the school.

Later on, we went into the city of Kisumu to buy a cell phone in the van with Father Kevin and two of the postulates. Finally, I can call home!! I went back to the school to talk with the principal about how I can be of most help. I will be helping teach a few classes in Literature and Business Studies along with aiding with other projects. The school day goes from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm followed by time for sports and games until 5:00 pm. After coming back to the compound, I attended Vespers, dinner, and Compline. Tomorrow the postulates, from Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Angola, who are training to one day become priests will be leaving to go home for a month after they have been here for 4.5 months. They are a very lively bunch that have been fun to have around for the past few days. The stars outside are incredible. With the lack of lights around at night, the stars are more illuminated than ever.

Sunday, June 13th

This morning I woke up at 8:00 am after I slept very well. I took my first shower in 5 days since we were not able to shower on the hike! Hopefully I don't ever have to go that long without showering again! Unfortunately, the hot water tank for our shower is not working but the cold shower I took never felt so refreshing! The compound has a family of black and white dogs to keep away intruders.

Julia and I went to 10:00 am mass in the chapel which was celebrated by Father Bert. He is an American priest who visits for about 2 months every year. Even though the Church is now in Ordinary Time, he emphasized how all time is EXTRAordinary Time. At mass, there were about 60 people from the community packed into a tiny, simple chapel. Many members of the community are in the choir. The beautiful, lively songs they sang are mostly sung in English with a few in Swahili. Bongos drums and other instruments were used. The choir included everyone from infants to the elderly. Here at mass, the Eucharist is dipped into the Blood of Christ if you wish to receive the Blood of Christ rather than drinking from the chalice. Father Kevin introduced Julia and me to the congregation. We received a very warm welcome and met so many of the very kind people after mass.

After mass, we toured the rest of the fairly large living complex that is contained within the stone walls of the compound. There are guards that come from a tribe in Kenya that work here for safety. We were shown around the main house where there is a common room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms for the Friars. There is another building used for administrative offices and a quaint library. The property is beautiful. There are many trees ranging from mango to avocado to eucalyptus along with many birds and beautiful flowers. We then walked to the hospital on the other side of the compound that the Sisters of Hawthorne for patients with terminal illnesses. The home that they live in used to be the home of a wealthy Indian businessman who ran a transportation system in Kenya. The sisters have only been in Kisumu for a few years. The home that they provide for the patients is truly incredible. Most of the patients have lived in mud huts their whole lives and now are being cared for in their own beds in a house that is like a palace to most of them.

I had some downtime later on. Today was the first day I was able to get wireless. At 6:00 pm, we went to Vespers, Compline, and Intercessory Prayer in the chapel which lasted until 6:45 pm. We ate dinner with the Friars, novices, and postulates in the large dining room where we will be eating all of our meals. Everyone is very excited about the World Cup especially since many of the men studying to become Dominican Friars are from various countries in Africa that are competing. All of Africa has been inundated by the World Cup frenzy.

Saturday, June 12th - Enthusiasm

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Today I was driven by enthusiasm as we descended Mount Kenya and later finally arrived at the Dominican compound in Kisumu. I woke up at 5:30 am, ate breakfast, packed my backpack, and left Old Moses Camp at 6:45 am for the last stretch of the trail. Our team hiked together as a precaution in case we encountered some of the wildlife. Fortunately, we were able to see a family of 3 elephants, 2 zebras, and a group of loud monkeys! Each group was in a different area toward the end of our hike this morning. The elephants were off in the distance while the monkeys and zebras were about 50 yards away from us. The hike only took us about 2.5 hours to cover 8 miles.

On the hike, Nicholas told me that his main reason for being a guide isn't for the small salary or for the food provided on the hikes. Rather, he enjoys the "exchange of ideas" between the Kenyans and his clients from around the world! When he said that, I was stunned at how meaningful his statement was. I kept thinking about our conversation all day and have begun to realize how wise some of the people I have already met here are. We said goodbye to our team at the gate, and they all said that they did not want to see us go since it "pains their hearts" or makes them sad.

We were driven an hour back to Nanyuki, mostly off-roading on the bumpy ride. My heart was breaking as we passed by so many worn down huts and children without shoes who were still smiling and waving. So many people here have nothing, especially the farmers on the mountain, who live in shanty wooden shacks that look like they could crumble at any moment.

We drove 4 hours to the Nairobi Airport. The drivers are a little reckless even in the busy traffic (imagine rush hour in NYC). We took a flight from Nairobi to Kisumu, which was about 30 minutes, after a minor delay because the President of Kenya was getting off a plane on the runway when our flight was supposed to board. We arrived in Kisumu at 7:00 pm and were met by Father Charles. We stopped at the grocery store on the way from the airport to the compound to pickup eggs for the house. Father Kevin graciously greeted us at the door, fed us dinner, and we were shown to our rooms in a small building across the grass that has 2 tiny bedrooms for each of us, an outdoor shower, and an outdoor bathroom where we will be staying. I'm thankful to stay in a real bed tonight. We have mosquito nets above each bed. There is a pen of dogs right outside my room which the guards keep for safety. I am happy to be situated in Kisumu where I will be for the majority of the trip.

Friday, June 11th: Ready or Not...Here We Come

We woke up in the middle of the night at 2:30 am. Our guide, Robbin, woke us up by singing all of the American songs he knows! We drank some tea and ate biscuits that were just like wafer crackers. I layered up in every item of clothing I brought -- my t-shirt, running shirt, underarmor, sweatshirt, and windbreaker along with leggings and pants! We departed at 3:00 am in the pitch black with our headlamps as our only source of light. The 4 brave souls - Robbin, Nicholas, Julia, and I - were the only ones out of our team of 7 to hike this leg of the trail. The cooks and porters were not needed since we did not need our backpacks and we would pass Shipton on our way down the mountain. Nicholas, a guide and porter, is 26 and has been working for the company for 5 years. He absolutely loves his job. Like many Kenyans, he is extremely proud of his country and the incredible land, especially Mt. Kenya, that it contains.

We hiked from 4,200 m to 4,985 m (16,355 ft)! I somehow made it to the top! This climb today was the scariest, most exhilirating few hours I have ever experienced. I could feel and hear my heart beating every step of the way. At 4,500 m, Julia and Robbin started to backtrack down the mountain while Nicholas and I decided to continue ahead. The last 400 m were steep uphill over sand and big boulders. While it was still dark out, I could only see my feet. When I shone my headlamp higher, it was only discouraging seeing the steep slope ahead. It was better to focus on my footing.

With about 30 minutes until we reached the summit after we had been going at a good pace, I saw that we had to scale part of the mountain to reach the next part. I stopped, looked at Nicholas who I placed a lot of trust in on this hike, and asked him to seriously tell me if I was capable of doing this or if we should turn around. He proceeded to tell me that if I made it this far, I was strong enough to continue. He held my hand for the next 10 steps until I relaxed and stopped shaking from the cold. We then pulled ourselves each across the vertical slab of rock being careful not to slip. "Pole, pole" means "slowly, slowly" in Swahili. I slowly took each step to keep complete concentration. Every sip of water I took felt like ice coming into my lungs. Almost there! The last stretch to reach the peak involved me pulling my body up onto the flat part of the summit by lifting each foot onto different ledges. Finally, we made it just as the sun began to rise at 6:15 am!

YAY! Nicholas and I screamed at the top of our lungs, stood next to the Kenyan flag at the peak, and gazed around in utter amazement in all directions. The sky was cobalt blue with glimmers of bright pinks and oranges shining through. We took some pictures, sat down for a few minutes, and I tried to soak it all in as much as I could. Nicholas wanted me to call my parents, but I still have to buy a cell phone over here.

The trek down was nerve-wrecking. We took a "short cut" down the steeper end of the mountain on a slab of dry sand and rocks. I was skidding all over the place so I just took my time. The way down was really incredible since I was now getting to see everything (especially the waterfalls) I hiked past in the darkness. We arrived at camp to meet Julia, Robbin, and the others at 8:00 am after completing 13 miles. We ate breakfast at a little table outside at Shipton Camp. The view was breathtaking. I was high on adrenaline but also shaky and exhausted. We then left camp at 10:30 am to walk down to Old Moses which was 16 miles away. We arrived there at 4:00 pm. The walk back was a bit muddy. I enjoyed walking through the tall yellow grasses which made me feel like I was part of the Lion King! Some of the wildlife on the mountain include elephants, leopards, and hyenas, none of which we have seen yet. They only come out in the dark or in the early morning.

By 8:00 pm, I was snuggled into my sleeping bag. Today was truly remarkable. I pushed myself more than I anticipated, and I am very happy that I did. In doing so, I was able to really appreciate the beautiful land that the Kenyans are so proud of. Especially today, I said a few prayers in desperation on the hike. I also kept thinking of the brave people I know, especially my cousin Jack, so that I wouldn't back down. Courage, endurance, and trust were key components of the day.

Thursday, June 10th: Physical and Mental Stamina

This morning I woke up from the cold in my sleeping bag at 4:00 am and was pleasantly relieved that I had a few more hours to sleep! For breakfast at 6:00 am, Julia and I ate cereal and passion fruit. Passion fruit comes in a hard brown shell, is pink on the inside, and is absolutely delicious. It is about the same size as an egg.

We began our hike at 7:00 am and finished at about 3:00 pm. We covered 16 miles, mostly uphill to an elevation of 4,200 m (13,780 ft). The mountain is massive in height and width. The majority of the hike was down and up two gigantic valleys, then up to a steep cliff, and past a few powerful waterfalls. We carried our lunches with us to eat on one of our breaks. Since we are in such a small group, we are free to take breaks for water whenever we want. For me, I don't like taking breaks that are too long because then you lose some momentum.

We faced the elements of nature today. First it was cool, then hot, then we were hit with torrential downpour for about an hour! My yellow poncho was a lifesaver :)

When hiking, I have had a lot of time to think. Hiking is both a challenging and soothing experience. Right now, I feel like if I can complete this hike in its entirety then I can do anything I set my mind to. During the toughest parts, rather than getting frustrated, I found myself laughing that we were slipping in ankle deep mud in the pouring rain on Mount Kenya! Laughing at ourselves and each other along the way is an essential ingredient to this hike.

Tonight we stayed at Shipton Camp. After arriving, I changed into clean socks and a warm sweat-shirt. I never thought that I'd be so happy with simply having a fresh pair of socks to wear! Once the rain subsided, I went outside to look around at the magnificent view we had! The rest of our team is terrific and very positive throughout the days and nights. We had tea and coffee, as we do each day, once we arrived at our camp. The higher we get, the more our appetite has been decreasing which is normal. Its important though to stay well nourished. After dinner, we went to bed around 8:00 pm since we have an early start tomorrow. I can't wait to share my stories with everyone at home!

Wednesday, June 9th -- Mount Kenya = "Mountain of Light"

I woke up this morning at 6:00 am after getting 7 hours of sleep. I slept in my sleeping bag on top of my bed. Luckily, there weren't any mosquitoes! We did see a few grasshoppers that are about 5 inches long but harmless. I ate a continental breakfast of pineapple, melon, fried dough, egg whites, and a delicious cup of coffee. Kenya exports their tea and coffee beans.

Julia and I were picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am by our driver, John. The owner of the hiking company, Daniel, who we made our reservations through met us at the hotel also. The team of employees they have is very professional and accommodating. John drove us 4 hours in a little Toyota with our hiking backpacks to the town of Nanyuki. Driving here is much different than it is at home. The roads are poorly paved and the drivers are fearless. We ate a quick lunch, of vegetable soup, a biscuit, and a chicken leg, in Nanyuki where we met our enthuiastic hiking guide, Robbin. Robbin is 32 years old and has been a guide for the past 5 years. Robbin drove us another hour to the base of the mountain to the start of the Sirimon Route which is at an elevation of 2,440m. During our ride through the base of the mountain, we passed by many "squatters" (people who live at the base of the mountain to farm during certain seasons to grow crops such as snow peas and maize). We kept our windows closed because some of the children would come up to the windows to ask or money. This was extremely heart-breaking to see.

We met our team of hikers at the gate to the Sirimon Route at 2:00 pm. Julia and I will be traveling with two porters, two cooks, our main guide (Robbin). The other group of 8 hikers from Austrailia decided to stay for a night in Nanyuki to get adjusted to the high elevation. LUCKILY, Julia and I found out that we will not need to carry our 20 lb backpacks up the mountain since that is the job of the porters! We later realized how much of a blessing this would be. We each carried some of our belongings (layers for the hike, nalgene of water, and rain jacket).

We reached Old Moses Camp of 3,200 m (11,000 ft) at 5:00 pm after hiking 8 miles uphill. Many hikers turn back after the first day! Although parts of the hike were difficult after sitting on a plane and in a car for so long, we finished the first day of hiking just fine. Parts of the trail's terrain were similar to a rock quarry so concentrating on each step is key. Getting adjusted to breathing at the high elevation was not a problem. The fresh air is very refreshing after breathing in the polluted air in Nairobi. It rained occasionally on our hike which is common during the afternoon. We saw a baboon! We also saw traces of elephants. The wildlife on the mountain is incredible.

I enjoyed talking to Robbin on the hike. His English is excellent. We talked about everything from U2, to Michelle and Barack Obama, to the importance of family in both the US and Kenya. I also learned that Mt. Kenya is only 700 ft shy of Mt. Kilamanjaro! Tonight I'll be staying on the top bunk in a green shack-like building at Old Moses Camp. It feels surreal to be here! I'm getting to see first hand how you can survive and be very happy living with the bare minimum. Although I didn't have much of an appetite, for dinner, we ate white fish, potatoes, and mixed vegetables. I went to bed at 8:45 pm in my mummy sleeping bag with every layer on that I packed since it gets very cold on the mountain at night!

Monday, June 7th & Tuesday, June 8th: Let the Adventure Begin!

Today my journey began! After enjoying my sister Clare's graduation party at our house on Sunday, I finished packing my suitcase, EMS hiking back pack, and carry on. Luckily, I was able to say goodbye to all of my extended family and friends at the party before leaving the next day. My Mom gave me her Bishop Loughlin track t-shirt, that has a big lion on it, to wear on the flight as a good luck charm for the flight! My grandpa, "Pop-pop", ran track at Bishop Loughlin.

My flight left from JFK at 6:00 pm on Monday. Julia met me at the airport. Our flight from NY to Zurich took about 6.5 hours. Swiss Air was terrific -- good food,(even Swiss chocolate covered in soccer ball tin foil print for the World Cup), along with a good selection of movies. We arrived in Zurich feeling like we were contestants on the show "The Amazing Race." We had little time to spare between arriving and catching our flight from Zurich to Nairobi which was about 7.5 hours long. I slept for most of the second flight and read part of my very interesting book, "Let My People Go Surfing - The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" by Yvon Chouinard. He is the founder and owner of Patagonia. He went into the business world for the sake of earning money to give away to those in need. I was able to see the bright lights of the city of Nairobi from my window seat on the plane!

Julia and I were picked up right away by Gerund, one of the drivers from the Mount Kenya Hiking Company. He drove us about 20 minutes from the airport to our hotel, Kenya Comfort Hotel. In the hotel, we have two twin sized beds that have giant nets to drape over the beds while we sleep to prevent us from mosquitoes and insects! These nets are quite common here. I have malaria pills to take for the duration of my trip. Before going to bed, I was able to email home and PC to let them know we arrived safe and sound. I laid out my clothes for the hike tomorrow. I'm very relieved to be here finally. I can already tell that this is going to be a real adventure and a true test of going beyond my comfort zone!

Father Smith Fellowship -- Destination: Kenya

I am extremely fortunate to be the recipient of one of the five Father Smith Fellowships that were awarded for the Summer of 2010. The fellowship program at Providence College began last summer with two students, one traveling to England and the other to the Philippines. This year's fellows include: Francesca Genova '11 (England), Lia Santilli '11 (Australia), Hollis Dunlop '12 (Nicaragua), Julia Tully '12 (Kenya), and me. Julia and I will be traveling and living together in Kenya! It is very comforting knowing that Julia and I will be companions on this journey to such a foreign place.


With only four days until my departure from JFK Airport in New York, I am incredibly excited for this amazing adventure! Below is a brief overview of my itinerary.


June 7th: Fly on Swiss Air at 6:00 pm (NY to Zurich, Zurich to Nairobi)

June 8th: Arrive in Nairobi at 6:10 pm (after 16 hours of flying), stay in Nairobi for the night at the Kenya Comfort Hotel

June 9th: Picked up from hotel by the Mount Kenya Hiking guide at 8:00 am to begin our hike of Mount Kenya via the Sirimon Route

June 12th: Finish hike of Mount Kenya, fly from Nairobi to Kisumu

June 12th-July 11th: Stay at the St. Martin de Porres Dominican compound in Kisumu, Kenya (work at the Our Lady of Grace School and Father Tom's Kids Orphanage)

July 11th: Fly from Kisumu to Nairobi, stay the night with Stephen Walsh and his family (PC alum '89)

July 12th: Fly from Nairobi to the Masai Mara

July 12th-July 15th: Safari in the Masai Mara

July 15th: Fly from the Masai Mara to Nairobi to Zurich to NY

July 16th: Arrive back at JFK at 12:35 pm