Nairobi, Kenya

9-28-09 We landed in Nairobi yesterday. It is amazing to me how less than two miles from the largest slum in East Africa you can find a mall, complete with food court and movie theater.

Today we went to visit the school and medical clinic that African Leadership built. The clinic had one room with one bed and boxes and boxes of medicine under the bed, between the cabinets, and everywhere. There was one nurse and a receptionist. The nurse, Winnie, was so happy just to have this little room so she can help the children of Kibera when they are sick. She told us they get about 15-30 children a day. Then we visited the school and the church that was burned out last year during the riots. All of these African Leadership projects are in or near the Kibera slum. And if you were to think about what a slum looked like, this was worse. There were mud-huts, no green grass to be seen, people carrying water jugs, piles of dirt and trash, cardboard walls and thin plastic roofs, everything. Then came the school. I saw the younger classes. In one classroom fit 2 to 6 year olds. The children were learning how to add and do math. I talked with the teacher and found out that most of the children cannot afford lunch for the day. They would get a light breakfast and dinner, and no lunch. African Leadership and Ellie's Run provided food, clothing and the building for these children. There was one small 2 year old who was wearing all the clothes he had to school. He had one pair of pants, two shirts, and a sweater. The teacher took it off of him because it was too hot, and throughout the whole day he was watching it, for fear someone would talk it.

I have learned so much on this trip. I have learned that even when it seems your life has no future at all, you can still have a better relationship with God than some people who have grown up in the American church. I have learned to appreciate things more like drinkable tap water, paved roads, even school. These children are so happy to be in these box sized classrooms getting an education, while many children in America hate being in school and would do whatever they can to get out of it.

I think, and people may disagree, that this Africa is better off in some ways than America. Why? This Africa, the one I saw, is full of joy, happiness, and God. These people are grateful for what they have and appreciate whatever food they get... when American kids want more and more, like T.V. or a pool or an iPod or something. Here I am playing with my iTouch while these children, sitting right next to me, are entertaining themselves by singing praises to the Lord. Even though America is said to be one of the richest countries in the world, I strongly disagree. This Africa, the one that African Leadership showed me, may be poor in money, but they are rich in spirit and love for God. -
Carly

P.s. - Thank all of you for the nice comments. I wish I could respond to all of them! I miss everyone and hope to see you guys soon.

Thank you Larry & Mary Warren for the way they are helping this Africa.