"Sister, Sister!"

Each week we pack up our tents and our kitchen set up and load our overland truck.  We wave goodbye to the people we have befriended and the environments we have come to know with sadness in our hearts and doubt that the experience on the horizon will provide as rich of an adventure as the last.  Each and every week we are pleasantly surprised.  The experiences and the relationships only seem to flourish, we are never let down by the love and the positive impact people are making throughout East Africa. We have been utterly blessed to spend time with the change makers of this world, getting to know them and sharing in their systems, their failures, their successes, learning about the world they thrive in, and those who prosper from their actions.  A common theme I have witnessed throughout is the heart each individual has, they speak from their heart, act from their heart and in response they are met with support from others honoring the heart of the matter. 

            You say “orphanage” and my mind creates images of dark and musty halls with tables of noisy children hastily gobbling leftover food.  Thoughts of abuse and corruption; I shy away from entering, based on the bad rap I have been fed, stationary in the assumption I have built up over the years about this culture.  On our drive to Saint Vincent’s home for orphans I clung to the somewhat doubtful thought I have every week, “This experience will be different, it can’t top the last one, we will get through this and whatever transpires we will learn from it.”

            The moment our truck entered Karen, Nairobi and roared into the quiet neighborhood we would soon feel at home in my heart calmed and my interest was perked.  Over the gates we looked for the “orphans”.  From the front doors burst a petite African woman, cloaked as a nun, with a spirit of a rambunctious character you might find in a children’s cartoon.  She ran to us laughing and giggling, hugging us while calling us by name; she had been studying our profiles upon our arrival.  The truck dropped us for the week; there we were, our group of seven piled into a small room in an old mansion, we trotted downstairs to welcome the children home from school.  It was too quiet, how could twenty African children live here?  We have started to learn the ways of St. Vincent Maisha Bora Center.  There is freedom, there is respect, there is education, and there is love!  All of this is combined with a traditional yet contemporary faith that God will provide.

            Sister Mary Jane is a Catholic nun, well she used to be, she has known since seventh grade she has wanted to be a nun and her life has revolved around her commitment to God and serving the less fortunate.  She is one of the hardest working women I have ever met! Something that individualizes this woman is her “Little Engine That Could” character, her strength is palpable, she moves through the hard times, she manifests each moment, and she has a relentless spirit I am still trying to grasp.  During challenges that any other person would feel defeated, stressed or impatient, she is able to laugh, to hoot and holler, to shout to the heavens “Jesus come down!” with a smile on her face that lights up every pristine tooth in her mouth and eases the tension.  In the beginning it can even be a bit uncomfortable for if it were anyone else they may respond like Eyore, (from Winnie the Pooh) just trying to get through the hard times.  Something you recognize in areas when despair is constant, the positives shine through even more brightly in each sparkle of life, this it how Sister, and her some twenty children dance through life.

            During her time in the convent Sister Mary Jane attained her Masters in Human Resources, and worked as the Director of HR at Nairobi’s Catholic University.  Her stories are rooted in giving to the poor although the stories are mirrored by the church’s constant questioning of her desire to give.  In short she left the convent to start a children’s home, no one supported her from her faith and everyone thought she was crazy (which she is but in a VERY good way!)

            Sister has a house full of children, ranging from eight to twenty six.  Many are in college learning skills she believes they will need in life, others have been transitioned out of the house and the younger ones are learning English and how to be loved again.  Many of the children have been orphaned because their parents have died mostly from HIV/AIDS.  Typically children who become orphans in this area of the world will be brought into the extended family, although in some cases the family will outcast them or push them out because they cannot afford to keep them.  Sister receives children from Kenya’s Children Services, each child here has their own story drenched in despair, although once again their ability to overcome and see the gems of positivity in life is overwhelming and humbling!

            Not only has Sister created a space to house at-risk children, she has created an astounding network and supporters.  One of her endeavors has been to cultivate the possibilities of a 140-acre piece of land given to her by the Masaai tribe! A green house and a large generator have been donated along with equipment to start a farm.  Yesterday we harvested one boxes of tomatoes and local greens, the day before that green peppers and today we will go back to plant trees.  With the veggies we harvested we then take it to the large grocery stores in Nairobi to sell at competetive prices.  This money goes straight to paying the mortgage on the house and feeding the children.  The most important piece here is: The stores would like to buy solely from Sister, and her land is productive although she has yet to create the capacity due to lack of funds for material.  The last several days I have been searching for grants and loan services to provide Sister with the capital to actualize her plans on the farm.

            Our time spent with Sister has not only re-engaged my commitment to helping those hit by the multifaceted effects of poverty, but also with the higher spirit.  Also Sister has reminded me of the importance of stay young in the mind, treating every human with kindness and respect, helping every person I can.  She is a model citizen, a dear friend and a vibrant spirit.  I have faith in her methodologies and find solace knowing that her plans will unfold, for miracles are on her side! This petite African woman is indeed an agent a change and an angel I feel blessed to have spent time with!!

Harvesting Tomatoes

"Many hands make light work!"

Jam sesh at Maisha Bora Center!

The kids performing Swahili songs