Back!

What a few couple of days I had. Almost can't even describe it in words! The beauty of Kenya is breathtaking! Ready to get back to work. Looking forward to buying the children what they need like a wheelchair for William!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is all possible because of your donations. I am one happy girl!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

more photos to come!

A Saturday in Kenya

What a fun day! I went to the elephant orphanage to see rescued baby elephants. The orphanage is only open one hour a day because they do not want the elephants getting used to people, as their goal is to release them back into the wild. But OMG were they cute! After that I went to Mathare where the teen group was having a meeting (teen group rages from around 6 to 15 once they turn 16 they join the youth group). They did races, and made masks. The winners of the races got 5 slices of bread and a glass of milk, which they were VERY happy about :) Tomorrow for the first time since I have been here, I am taking some time off (2 days ) to explore the beauty of Kenya. I am taking a 5 and half hour car ride through Kenya to get to Maasai Mara, one of Kenya's greatest game reserves. I am excited to see the wild animals, but will miss my kids while away! I also have to say that I am so taken back by the response to my plea for funds to buy supplies. People have been so wonderful and giving, and I am so humbled that you are all helping me, help the children. It is ALL our efforts that make the world a better place, and we can never give up on trying to make a difference. Anything is possible when people work together, and for that I thank you! Asante Sana! (Thank you!)

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

Well worth watching. Amazing people, doing amazing things.

How can you Help?

If you can afford it, and want to help the students of Kenya, please write a check to me and send it to 4256 Vicasa Drive Calabasas, CA 91302. I promise you %100 of the donation will go towards the kids.  If you would like to donate to the greater cause of Maji Mazuri, which helps sustain ALL the programs, please visit majimazuri.org. Know that $1 is equivalent to 100 Kenya shillings. Your money goes a LONG way! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


(Please note that checks are only tax deductible if the donation is given through the Maji Mazuri website.)


with a little piece of my heart,


Julia

falling in love with the Mathare Valley Slum

inside Mathare, photo not taken by me

Maji Mazuri's Head Start in Mathare

Class 4 in Mathare :)

Hope

Today, was emotionally, the hardest day I've had in Kenya. For the first time, I saw footage of the post-election violence in 2007. These pictures and videos were captured by  some of my friends here and I can't describe in words how disturbing the images were. At one point I became very dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. I wanted to see the pictures, I wanted to know what they went through and why it is so important for them to spread the message of peace. I needed to see those pictures, but as my hand covered my mouth and I fought back tears, I couldn't believe the friends I've made  here witnessed it in person. As I looked at the pictures, I realized that I walk those same streets that were covered in blood. This was 4 years ago. The most shocking thing is next year is an election year. When I asked if this will happen again I was told the politicians don't do anything to prevent it and behind closed doors it is them who are telling the people to kill each other. But, in a community who has witnessed the most inhumane treatment of human beings, it is the people from within who are choosing to do something about it. They are choosing to spread the message of peace. I am in awe of the people I have met thus far in my journey, and feel more than blessed that my path has crossed theirs. I promise you they are some of the most unselfish people I have ever met and they dedicate their lives to making other lives better. HOPE lies within Kenya, and I see it everyday.

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

just another update

Hello, hello. Today, due to a combination of another cold and the cold rainy weather, I decided to stay home. Which is good because I get to work on my resource portfolio for the teachers. My goal is to create a folder that includes things like: information on specific disabilities and teaching strategies that meet individual needs, an overview of teaching kids with special needs, strategies that can be used to incorporate life and occupational skills into the curriculum,  and sign language worksheets that give the basics. That's my goal, now lets see if I can meet it! Last Friday we took the kids on a field trip to a famous park in Nairobi. With a budget less than $100, the kids got to ride boats, eat lunch, have ice cream, get their faces painted, got ballon hats, and it also included transportation. DID YOU HEAR ME LESS THAN 100 DOLLARS. This was a VERY special day for them, and in the pictures below you can see it in their eyes how much it meant to them. So now I turn to you, I want more than anything to give these children what the deserve. I want to buy school supplies, soccer balls, and things that make a kid a kid. The children that are severely disabled spend most of their time in a padded chair. Thats it thats all they do is sit! I want to have the resources to stimulate their senses, and buy educational toys like puzzles and blocks for them. PLEASE help me help them. I have 34 followers if every person gave $10 thats $340, do you know how much I could buy with that?! If you can afford it and want to help please write a check to me and send it to 4256 Vicasa Drive Calabasas, CA 91302. I promise you %100 of the donation will go towards the kids.  If you would like to donate to the greater cause of Maji Mazuri which helps sustain ALL the programs please visit majimazuri.org. Thank you for the continued support, I love each and everyone one of you!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

Peace in Mathare

So Many Things

Oh world! I am sorry I haven't written in a bit, the power was out for a day and I have been running around like a mad woman. I am looking forward to tomorrow, we are talking the kids on a field trip! They get to get out for a day :) I also have been spending time in the slum which is amazing! Today I went to the river which is not exactly the safest place in the world, but I was with MC who is the man in Mathare.  Down by the river I found the most polluted water I've ever seen in my life. All the the sewers in Mathare are directed to that river along with trash. The men then use that water to brew illegal alcohol, which is extremely high in alcohol content and sell it. After spending a half hour talking with them, I was offered some, but I kindly declined. They really welcomed me and after 10 minutes I almost forgot that I was in a very dangerous place. I was just hanging out! I am also working on a video that I will have up soon of the peace project. I have almost been here a month now and time feels like its flying by. Someone asked me what has been one thing that has stood out to me, and you know I cant say it is the poverty because I think I was mentally prepared for that. I have to say that it has been the attention I get just for being white. It is shocking to me how the color of skin automatically puts you, in their eyes, at an advantage here. The COLOR OF YOUR SKIN! We are ALL the same we are ALL HUMAN.

I promise to have more pictures soon, and the peace video!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

Another great day, I could get used to this! Went to work today and worked one-on-one with an eight year old student. William is non-verbal but always uses his hands to try to communicate with me. I wanted to see if he could learn number recognition with sign language. I spent about an hour with him on numbers 1 through 5. By the end of the lesson I could hold up a number and he could sign it. I'm not going to lie, I had tears in my eyes. I am very proud of him, but know his and my work are not done. Repetition is KEY, patience is EVERYTHING. These children have undeniable potential, and a chance to make it in this world if given the right tools. I know it has always been part of my journey to be here and faith has played its role, but I thank G-d and my Bumpa for guiding me here. Life is simply beautiful.

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

Sunday FUN Day

Good times today! Went to the Giraffe Center which was amazing! Hiked in an African jungle, and visited a tribal center! It's been raining here on and off but when it rains it pours! It turns EVERYTHING to mud. I am blessed to be under a roof here, but my heart goes out to the people of Kenya who are not as fortunate. I had an amazing weekend and I am truly falling in love with Kenya.

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

PEACE

What a WONDERFUL day!! The youth,  of the Maji Mazuri Mathare youth group, have been working hard to spread the message of peace throughout their community. Today, their project was brought to life through a football (soccer) tournament. Eight teams played for one cause, peace. The message was loud and clear and lots of people came out to support this project. The youth are amazing and I had so much fun with them today, but I am SO burned! The African sun will get you if you're not paying attention!  Enjoy the pictures, video will follow later :)

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

This little guy was just handed to me and of course I accepted, a few minutes of rocking and I had a sleeping baby :)

PEACE

my "husband," who also told me we can make an Obama.

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LOOK WHO I FOUND IN MATHARE!!!!!!

Victor and me, we LOVE Victor!!!

BACK and READY for ACTION!

Back!

My two sons

You know he's truly my son, wearing a Garth Brooks hat

I'm so loved, what can I say!

Getting Better!

Just starting to feel better! Went to the hospital, got all checked out and it seems it was just a horrible flu. NO malaria, thank G-d! I tell you though, its not easy being a hypochondriac in a third world country! All jokes aside, I am looking forward to getting back to the kids. I think I'm already attached. I am also looking forward to this weekend in Mathare Valley. The youth group have been working on a peace project to promote peace in their community, and on saturday they are holding a "futbol" (soccer) tournament. Stay tuned for updates on that ;)

ps... on a brighter note if anyone would like to know, I'm worth about 400 goats.

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

Still very sick. This is no fun :( no work today either. You start to miss the simple things when you're not feeling well, like your mom! Oh well this is a personal challenge I have to face myself, time for me to grow up also. Really hope to be feeling better soon!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

This helps. 

AHHHH

AHHH NO internet for four days! And I'm sick thats when the homesickness will kick in! Could not go to work today because I cant risk getting the kids sick hopefully I will be better soon! I drank a Kenya remedy ( hot water, garlic, ginger, lemon, and honey) it will probably work better than anything else! I went to the animal orphanage over the weekend and got to hold a baby cheetah and lion! Will keep them updates coming as soon as I feel better! P.S. I made the two week mark!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia

No More Miss Nice Girl

Wonderful day today! Informed the teachers that most of the children CAN learn life skills to take care of themselves (i.e. bathing themselves, washing their clothes, ect.) but they need to be taught explicitly and step by step . Today for the FIRST time the teacher guided the two students (13 years old) how to bathe themselves! The WHOLE school was watching including the other teachers and staff, and the kids knew EXACTLY what to do, but who wants to wash themselves when no one has made them do it before! Time to grow up kids, Miss Fingleson is here and she makes you work! Now just repeat this exercise for a week and you have kids washing themselves for life! :) I have to say Teacher Carol did an excellent job!

Just so you all know the kids were wearing clothes! Rolled up pants and shirts!

with a little piece of my heart,

Julia