a friend asked "tell me about Kenya"
Since I was a young child, I knew I would go to East Africa. In kindergarten when other kids made papier mache cows and dogs, I made a hippo. I still have it. My uncle traveled and always brought me some small trinket from each place along with many stories. I remember thinking I would go to East Africa before he did. I did.
Kenya is a place of great beauty, amazing diversity in cultures and landscapes, and the most generous people. I had the honor of living there for a few years (1982-84) in a beautiful village on the edge of the continent along the Indian Ocean. Picture coconut palms, mango trees, cashew trees, white coral sands, blue blue water. I was part of the beginning of their secondary school. We actually started in the coconut grove - not the safest place under which to teach! Luckily, they decided to give us the shed where they had given cattle injections. It was one "room" with half walls and a corrugated tin roof, with a store room that became our "faculty room." Some years later it was moved out of the grove towards the beach, and now has a permanent building with several classrooms. The village, Takaungu, was written about as the most haunted place in Kenya. I believe that may be an accurate statement. I had the most amazing time there, and came away with several dear friends for life, and a feeling that Kenya is my other home.
I have managed to find my way back there many times through trips I have led or travels on my own or with Kent and James. It is never enough.
James came into our lives because of one of those friendships. My life is so entwined with people there, and the place itself. I yearn for it when I am away, I miss my friends and family from here when I am there, and from there when I am here. Forever between...
that is Kenya...
... for me
Kenya is a place of great beauty, amazing diversity in cultures and landscapes, and the most generous people. I had the honor of living there for a few years (1982-84) in a beautiful village on the edge of the continent along the Indian Ocean. Picture coconut palms, mango trees, cashew trees, white coral sands, blue blue water. I was part of the beginning of their secondary school. We actually started in the coconut grove - not the safest place under which to teach! Luckily, they decided to give us the shed where they had given cattle injections. It was one "room" with half walls and a corrugated tin roof, with a store room that became our "faculty room." Some years later it was moved out of the grove towards the beach, and now has a permanent building with several classrooms. The village, Takaungu, was written about as the most haunted place in Kenya. I believe that may be an accurate statement. I had the most amazing time there, and came away with several dear friends for life, and a feeling that Kenya is my other home.
I have managed to find my way back there many times through trips I have led or travels on my own or with Kent and James. It is never enough.
James came into our lives because of one of those friendships. My life is so entwined with people there, and the place itself. I yearn for it when I am away, I miss my friends and family from here when I am there, and from there when I am here. Forever between...
that is Kenya...
... for me
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