Greetings from just outside Nairobi, Kenya!

[Daryn Kagan]

This has already turned out to be quite the wonderful adventure with the spirited girls of Hekima Place.

I arrived safely and easily into Nairobi on Saturday morning. Just as promised, there was someone to meet me and and whisk me off to Hekima Place which is about a 40 minute drive through the crazy roads and streets of Nairobi. Good thing I wasn't driving as I didn't realize, as former British colony, they drive on the other side of the road here! Beep! Beep!

The founder, Kate Fletcher, greeted me with a big hug and was kind enough to let me get some rest before we loaded up the 13 girls in the van and headed off on our big vacation.

This is a wonderful group of girls. 13 in all, ages 3-14. There are more than 54 girls at the school. All the others have extended family to spend the holiday with. These girls either have no one in the world or just can't bear the thought of of going back from they come.

Enough of the tears. I have to say with all due respect to all my children who I have and love back home, these girls are some of the best behaved and most loving kids I've ever met.

First comes the love. I think the lasting image I will have of this trip is a little brown hand wrapped up in mine, because that's how it's been since I arrived. LIke children everywhere, their kiddie radar immediatly tells them when grown up gets kids. When they saw me, it was 0-60, grabbing my hands, jumping into my lap, giving hugs and giggling.

Off we went to a villa on the edge of Nairobi National Park. So what is a "villa" by Kenyan standards? This one was a stone house with a thatched roof. Comfortable wi/3 BR, a loft, a big living space and big outdoor patio for relaxing and dining looking out over the nat'l park.

"Mum Kate" and "Mum Gladys" (Kate Fletcher's future successor) shared a room, the little girls slept up in the loft and the 3 teenagers shared a big bed. (yes, just like American teenagers, they giggle themselves to sleep.) They were kind enough to give me my own room on the other side of the house. Oh yeah, only 1 bathroom in the entire house. That was kinda interesting--sharing w/14 others, but like anything else--you figure it out.

Our days were filled with swimming at the local Masai Lodge. Think country club, tribal style. A nice big pool, a kiddie pool, and poolside service, only the waiters only speak Swahili. Good thing Mum Gladys is a local.

I was put into service as the human jumpy machine for the little ones and the swim teacher for the bigger girls.
Both the owner of the villa and the country club Masai lounge allowed the children to come for free because they so appreciate what Kate and Hekima are doing for the children.

Some sights I can't quite believe-13 children entertaining themselves with just one basket of used plastice toys. No TV or DVD player. When the girls got a little antsy before breakfast one day, I went to Mum Kate and said, "I think the inmates are about to take over the asylum." She simply said, "Tell them to figure it out. Tell the big girls to put the little girls on a bed and tell them a story. And that's exactly what happened. 12 bodies piled on a big bed. 13-year-old Pauline got up and started making up a story from her imagination--no books, no notes, no prompting. 12-sets of eyes stared back at her transfixed, drinking it all in.

My favorite tradition I've seen so far:
At dinner each evening, Mum Kate asks, "Who had a good day today?" with that a single child speaks up, "I had a good day today because I woke up in this pretty house, I got to go swimming, I got to play with Teresa, Diana, and Stacy. And we are eating chicken and rice for dinner. And that is why I had a good day."

That's the cue for one of the other little girls to shout out, "Hip, Hip!" followed by entire table shouting, "Hooray!" Even the tiniest, Flo, barely 3, stands up and shares why she had a good day. It is something to behold.

I am proud to say I have already earned the title of "Mum." So from here on out it is "Mum Daryn," which comes out as, "Mum Dad-deen," in their sweet Swahili accents. Mum Gladys confessed to me that she was having trouble with my name because they really use "R" sound where she comes from. "No problem," I said, my good friends call me, "DAK." So, I'm just as likely to be called "Mum DAk" which kind of sounds like "Mum Dick" with local flavor. Alas, Dick it is.

The children are hungry to learn new songs and traditions. So far the big hits are "This LIttle PIggy," (I had to explain Roast Beef,) John Jacob Jingleheimersmith (the little ones go crazy for yelling DADADADA in between choruses.) and B-I-N-G-O. I've also taught the little ones to say, "It's yummy in my tummy" when they eat something delicious.

Today, at breakfast, two 9-year-olds decided it was time to turn the tables and so my first Swahili lessons began. So far, I think I've mastered mistjanna: girl, vlana: boy, macho: eyes and machunga: orange.

We have seen wild giraffe, baboons, and stopped on the way home to visit a refuge for orphaned baby elephants. Very cute!

We have just arrived back at Hekima Place where I will be for the rest of the trip and now have daily email access. I'm not sure what is next except I think it is going to take us 2-days just to wrap all the presents everyone sent along for Christmas day.

I will try to post a new adventure each day in this space.

Meanwhile--Happiest of holidays to all back home.

[Erin]

I am SO excited to see the pictures and videos and hear more about your trip!

[Lisa]

Hujambo! Your trip triggers personal memories for me, as I've visited Kenya four times. It's fun to see the animals in their natural environment. I hope you have to time to enjoy a few other sights like the Karen Blixen museum, The Carnivore Restaurant, and any place where they do traditional dances.

Those little kids are amazingly beautiful, aren't they? When they smile, they light up any room. Your presence will have a lasting impact both directions. Thanks for devoting your holiday to creating a holiday for others. I support a Compassion child in Kisumu but have not met her in person yet -- your experiences cause me to want to go. Enjoy those little faces!