With the annual Missouri Scholars Academy just around the corner, my favorite House Meeting activity continues to spring into my mind. “High Low” has become an MSA classic: everyone has a chance to say the high and the low point of the day. In the Scholar Spirit, here are my highs and lows for Week 24!
Sunday, March 14
High: Successfully shopping in the Sori Market. Amanda and I bought our favorite Kenya legume called Green Grams, black beans, tomatoes, onions, bananas, salt, and laundry soap. Everything you need to survive in your own in kitchen in Kenya.
Low: Nothing really comes to mind, so I guess it was an overall good day!
Monday, March 15
High: Seeing the enthusiasm in the Community Health Worker’s eyes as we taught them about preventing jiggers and mobilizing the community to eradicate the parasite. We now have 38 more people eager to make the Nyatike Jigger Eradication Campaign a sustainable, productive project
Low: Waiting over 1.5 hours for the training to start. Welcome to African time.
Tuesday, March 16
High: Finally getting out into the community to see some of the severely affected families. Seeing REAL Kenyan life trumps anything I do within the confines of the hospital walls.
Low: Finally getting out into the community to see some of the severely affected families. Humans should never suffer such pain and isolation. I bounced back and forth between heartbreak, shock, nausea, and compassion.
Low #2: Hearing Teresa’s response to my question about purchasing a bed for an extremely pour grandmother and her five year old grandson, both infected with jiggers. “No”, she said, “we don’t need to buy them a bed. A bed is a luxury.”
Wednesday, March 17
High: Helping Amanda celebrate her 29th birthday, twice! Once with the neighbor kids and after dinner with the other volunteers and visitors.
Low: Wanting to fall asleep at 9:00 pm after one beer. Wow, I’m getting old.
Thursday, March 18
High: Bringing Priscilla and Elseba, two of the women we met on Tuesday, to St. Camillus to remove their jiggers. They’re finally getting the help they’ve deserately needed.
Low: Spending all afternoon meticulously removing each jigger alongside 3 other nurses and still not removing them all.
Friday, March 19
High: Training 35 more Community Health Workers to become the workforce and life blood of the Nyatike Jiggers Eradication Campaign. I had a powerful moment when it hit me that I was an integral part of making ALL THIS happen. It was both humbling and encouraging. For all the times I felt worthless or unnecessary in Kenya, I’ve realized that I’m using my passions and talents to really do something good. I apologize if that sounds arrogant, but I needed that self-confidence boost.
Low: Realizing that I only have 2.5 months left in Kenya. How did it go so fast? And why do I have to leave now that the project is really moving? And what changed so dramatically that I’m dreading the day I have to say goodbye?
Saturday, March 20
High: It’s Saturday. Enough said.
Low: How can you have a low when its 72 degrees, sunny, with a perfect breeze coming off the lake?
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miss you so much. i also love highs and lows. the last 2.5 months will fly by faster than you can imagine i can only assume. love you.
ReplyDeleteKayla, miss you too. Make every day a lasting memory for the next 2.5 months. High: Reading your blog. Low: knowing that you have lows. SO proud of you sweetie! Love Mom
ReplyDeleteThe "Highs and Lows" are very moving for me. I have had the feeling that you did not realize what you have done for the Karungu area. You should be so proud. Enjoy every minute of your time left there. I am wondering how many people are now working or able to work to eradicate jiggers in your Eradication Campaign. Please mention that in the posting of your next blog.
ReplyDeleteLove you so much, Mommer