Cura - Day 2

Hey Everyone!

So I'm finishing up day 2 at Cura. Another wonderful day! I started off by filming the workers clearing the area that the new school building will be going. All work is done by hand. The work ethic of Kenyan people is amazing!

While I was filming the work site, I saw several small children from the nursery school peeking at me. Nursery school is similar to our preschool. Below is a photo of my with the children. When they saw themselves, they started waving! Makes for a precious photo!

Later that afternoon, I walked over to the primary school to shoot some footage. All the children were in their blue suits, singing, dancing, learning all sorts of subjects just like in America. Tomorrow I'm going to be sitting in on the lectures to see the schooling first hand.

I also had a chance to interview the Head Teacher and the Deputy Head Teacher. Absolutely fascinating! Like America, Kenya has country wide exams that all students are required to take. Both teachers explained to me how thankful they are for the support being given to their community. The quality of life has been growing at an exponential rate. I had to dig a little deeper to figure out what else can and needs to be done for the children to have basic quality of life. The head teacher did not want to sound ungrateful of what they've been given, but I was able to get a response:

Educating materials!! More books for the children to learn from. Desks for the children to work at during school. Basic sanitation facilities- not latrine out houses. A cemented or graveled courtyard so the children aren't stepping in potholes (or mud during rainy season) when they go from class to class. Basic needs that I've always taken for granted.

After visiting the school I took a walk with the children to "grandmothers" house. This is the lady who cooks food and takes care of the children in the orphanage. Now, what I'm about to say is in no way an insult to grandmother and I mean no disrespect to her by saying this. I've given it a lot of thought and I felt compelled to share. Grandmother invited Gilbert and I into her home. A very sweet and living gesture. Her home would be comparable to a tin sided tool shed in America. Inside were a few chairs, a table, and about a 1000 flies due to the heat and fruit plants growing in the crops around the property. She gave Gilbert and I all that she could offer; a few bananas, some avocado, and chapatti (similar to a tortilla). The reason im telling you this is to give you an idea of the living conditions the people of Cura are in. Again, I tell you this story with zero intentions of disrespect for grandmother.

Late in the afternoon, some men showed up, slightly intoxicated, looking to work on the new school. This upset a lot of people, including the children who hid behind me until we got then inside. Gilbert and I have now been advised to leave the orphanage before dark for our own safety. People in the community and the surrounding areas know what I'm doing, what equipment I have, and are now feared for my safety after dark. It's amazing how they barely know me and are now watching out for my well being.

If you've made it this far in the blog, you know it's been a busy day! Lots to look forward to tomorrow!

I want to take a quick moment to point out Cura's website for those of you who would be interested in contributing to these wonderful and well deserving people. You know I'd never promote something I didn't truly believe is worth supporting. These children love the life God has given them. Let them see you as an answer to their prayers!

CuraOrphanage.org

People would tell me that when I get to Cura, it will change my life. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what they meant until 15min after I stepped out of the car. This orphanage is full of more life, smiles, and pure innocent wonder than you would see in a Hollywood movie. My outlook on life and my world views have become much humbler now that I have seen the joy in the orphans eyes.

I think I've gone on long enough for this post. More to follow tomorrow!