After Saturday at Mikono Shop we went off to attempt to see the orphan Elephants at the Sheldrick Center in Langata. We come to find out it was only an hour a day that one can go in so we went back to Savelburg(home sweet home) for a great afternoon rest and then picked up Anne Wangeri (formerly of JRS now LWF and a dear friend of mine) to have dinner with Father Superior of East Africa, Valerian Shirima. He was so great. We had a lovely meal and a great time of wonderful, witty and caring conversation.
Sunday was a packed day. Margaret went off to a church she wanted to visit and the mass went about 45 longer than she expected. Then we went off to see the Elephants again and it was great. There were 10 orphans ranging from 2 months to 23 months old and the reason that they are orphans range from human impact as well as natural causes. Very interesting . They are great and I took about 500 pictures. Elephants are my new favorite animal and have always been Margaret's favorite. After this, off to the Verandah for eating and shopping (at least looking).
Then we visited with Deborah Moijoi from Pedro Arruppe. We picked her and Father Toppo up to go to her house to see her family and have tea. It was great. We also had an opportunity to meet with her dad. It was great and spending time with her, her family and Toppo was lots of fun.
Then off to dinner at Nakumatt Juntion at Nairobi Java. We love this place. We ate with Anne Wangari and really had a wonderful time.
Today started off with us planning for the week and getting prepared for the 2nd and last week of St. Als Art Immersion Program. Today started off with intro to watercolor and then letting forms 1 and 2 off to water color. Such talent. It is so amazing to see these great students learning so quickly and producing such great art. We also got cameras back today and the photos that they are taking are truly telling a story. It is amazing to see this and I am so thrilled that we will be able to share this all with you. Some of the art that these artists are creating is amazing. They have such hidden talents that you just want to pull from them and I feel like we could spend the day with them and not have enough time. Tonight we are having dinner with Sr. Mary Owens of Nyumbani. It is great to have these connections here and everyone has been so gracious to connect with us while we are here.
We will keep you up to date on our progress. Thanks for all your interest and support.
Charles and Margaret
1 comment:
Dear Margaret and Charles,
I cannot put into words how much I am loving your blog. I find it so moving.
I am also so impressed with how you both were able to make lasting connections with some of the people we met there.
Please let this idea simmer in the back of your mind. As you know, I want to get my Justice and Diversity in Action Living and Learning Community (aka "JDA") on the third floor of McCarthy Hall involved in supporting St. Al's and/or some other program in Africa.
I am sure you are already thinking of bringing back some artwork or images for GU's St. Al's fundraiser next year. But it would also be terrific if you two were willing to come speak (share a meal) with JDA and entice them in with your experience, some visuals, etc.
There may be a good way for JDA to take the lead in the Southwest Quadrangle, in generating concern for those who crave education despite such incredible obstacles.
And maybe you could "hang" some of the work in my faculty apartment, for all those who come to events to see? Just some seeds of ideas. . .
Marilyn
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