In Nairobi day 5

I smell so terrible! But that's a good thing because here it means that I've been outside in the dirt all day running around with kids :) This morning we left bright and early for Ruiru to visit the New Life School. It's about an hour and a half from our Nairobi apartment across beautiful farmlands and up and down gorgeous hills full of trees and streams. (I got some really pretty video of this). When we got to the school we kept hearing the common phrase "mazoongoo" which means white people. They were thrilled to see us and we were equally thrilled to see them. They are beautiful children! This home is for older kids 3-10ish that New Life and Amani support.



We were greeted by Anne, the school director who couldn't wait to show off the beautiful school. We learned about the children's education and how it supports the surrounding farming community. The kids all get green uniform sweaters and white polos so no one knows whether kids are from New Life Homes or from a better off family, all the kids are equal. They come into the school speaking their mother tongues but eventually all learn Swahili and English by the age of 3. The school also offers community sowing and beading classes for local women and older kids who are able to learn a trade.

We played with the kids and ran around the field together. Again, they loved our cameras and were stoked to see themselves on my video camera (I turned around my monitor so they could see themselves) . I got great interview footage of Anne talking about the Amani/New Life and School connection, and how the school has benefited the kids and community. I also interviewed Katie who talked about how she felt about her experience with the kids.

Next, we ventured another 1.5 hour van ride across bumpy terrain to Kazuri where the Amani Beads are made which supports 70% of New Life Foundation (which includes 6 homes and a few schools). This was when everything came full circle. At Kazuri, we were taken on a tour of the facilities including an interview of a man who had worked there for 5 years.
Kazuri takes in single/widowed woman gives them insurance and medical care, a great paying job, transportation, and lunch.

The process of Amani Beads includes:
- Taking mud and water pressing it for a few hours
- Then forming it into small bricks
- Which become soft clay
- Now they are shaped into various shapes for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pottery, or whatever the order calls for
- Then they are fire burned
- Next they are painted, designed, and glazed
- Finally they are strung into jewelry

The jewelry that is sold in this store are made from 1st beads, meaning they don't have chips or scratches. But Amani takes the 2nds for free and we use these to made our jewelry at the various chapters. The jewelry we make all over the country is then sold to support Amani and New Life Homes.

Its amazing to see how everything comes full circle. I interviewed Drew about how he felt about this and he thought it was crazy cool to see the whole process come full circle. But also how Amani and New Life impacts not only the kids but also the community.

For dinner we checked out a close by Ethiopian Restaurant… sooooo delicious!
We chose a variety platter with veggie meat options. It's served on a pancake thingy that you use to tear apart and grab at the various food piles. Since I can't do the whole wheat thing I ordered potatoes and a fork :)


Amazing and full day! Tomorrow, lots of work with psycho-social reports to be done!