Smiling Faces and Police Chases

Jackie, Upendo, and Bright hanging out outside the computer room

Gracie being silly with Jackie's earrings

Elena sorting HUNDREDS of books!

We had quite an exciting Wednesday afternoon! In the morning we needed to run to the market to get some vegetables and as Elena and I were going into a small shop on Main Street suddenly a throng of forty yelling men went running down the street being pursued by armed special forces in military jeeps! Everyone on the sidewalk took a step back as the parade zoomed by, faces peered out of windows and doorways to get a closer look at the spectacle. Less than a minute later, the sirens and shouts could still be heard from a distance but all traces of the police chase had vanished and people resumed their business as if nothing had happened. We asked a man if he knew why they were being chased, and in broken English he told us that that morning the dala-dala drivers had gone on strike, most likely because of a 300% increase in their taxes, and negotiations must have broken down resulting in a high speed pursuit of the drivers down Main Street. The dispute was resolved just after noon and the dala-dalas resumed their business, but the image of the chase still played itself out in my mind. Moments like this is when you really see the differences between living in Africa and living in Alaska. With the average inflation rate 25-30% a year, rampant government corruption, deteriorating school systems, its hard to imagine how a country like this can even progress. But the instant that you meet people like Greg, Teacher, and Sammi (a student Greg sponsors in Kenya who will be here for the rest of the month) you can see the hope for this country manifested in human form. We have met so many people who are truly making a difference here, it’s inspiring. Just coming out of high school we are given endless possibilities of things to do with our lives. It gets overwhelming. What if I get stuck doing something I don’t enjoy, what if I make the wrong choice? How can I do something meaningful with my life? Seeing the work of people here in Africa has really brought to light our ability to make a difference. Being the change we wish to see in the world isn’t as hard as people let on. That’s when you begin to see the similarities of living in Alaska and living in Africa. We struggle to shovel snow, while they struggle to carry water. We may live in different situations, on different continents, but we are all striving to better our communities and to take care of our loved ones.

Elena and Maurine

Debora "helping" while we sorted books

Yesterday we FINISHED THE COMPUTER ROOM! Elena and I spent two hours scouring the streets of Moshi searching for the perfect table and chairs to put in. We finally found a shop with a sturdy table and four chairs set, and two lamp stands. So after lunch we met up with Teacher, Greg, and Sammi and we went to go buy them. After ten minutes of negotiations, we got a good price and the guys hopped up on top of the Rover to tie everything down. When we brought it all back to the orphanage, the kids saw the furniture on top of the car and went straight to work. Five little boys climbed on top of the car and untied it all, then like ants carrying objects four times their size, the kids hauled the chairs, table, and lamp stands into the computer room. Now the painting is done, the furniture in, the rugs laid out, the books shelved, the computers connected, and the lamps installed, the room is complete! In phase two we will be teaching the older kids basic computer skills like using the internet and word processing programs. It was a very successful day! After setting up the room and playing with the kiddos for a bit, Elena and I headed back to our house to make Rice Krispie treats for Brook when she gets off the mountain today. We are so excited to hear about her adventure! We have all been healthy, happy, and having fun. Things are moving so quickly now, its hard to believe that we have already been here for three weeks! We’re sending lots of love to Haines, hope you guys are getting some sunshine!

-Jackie