After filling our stomachs we separated into the two vans for the long ride of Kieran singing to the music and screaming over swear words that popped up accidentally (not always effectively, though). We were all excited to get out of the van today and walk the long road to Juliet’s house where the party of past and present Chesina kids awaited us. We were greeted with laughter and some blank faces from the kids who had not yet seen us wazungus (white people). However after a few minutes of staring they warmed up to our presence and joined us in some games. Kieran and Jake showed off their jump rope skills with the little girls while Izzy, Kristen and some of the kids played pass with the huge globe balls. Haley, Lily, Amelia and Monica played keep away and Jake’s brother’s buddy was so good he even got by Haley’s hard core defensive maneuvers (some would call them tackles).
After a good hour and a half of bonding with the kids we all gathered to exchange dances and songs. Before they started, the kids dressed Elizabeth and Ben in traditional Kenyan fabrics. The Chesina kids then gave another beautiful performance, which was a tough act to follow. It was now time for our one night’s worth of practice to pay off. We 8 kids lined up for a song “Happy” (shout out to Kieran’s mom who has great taste in music). Kieran and Kristen, who were the leaders of the dance, started the music and did the dance one time through by themselves while the other 6 “booty-popped” behind them. The children started laughing and clapping, either because they were making fun of us or thought our dance was awesome. We weren’t really sure which but most likely the first one. After Kieran and Kristen were finished with their duet, the whole group joined in and did the dance together. Based on our awful coordination it is safe to say we should have practiced a little more.
Then we gathered in Juliet’s house to feast on the food they had prepared for us. We stuffed our mouths with rice, chapatti, ugali (corn flour mixed with boiling water that some of us thought was similar to grits), liver and chicken that was killed 20 minutes earlier we think ): Kieran and Jake were brave and tried the liver. Jake said it was ‘interesting.’ Everyone enjoyed the chicken soup and chicken wings, including the cats which Kristen and Kieran fed under the table. After finishing we handed candy and cheese puffs to the kids and photo albums we had made with photos we had taken this week to the Chesina teachers. We then said bittersweet goodbyes to Juliet, Joyce, Mary and the kids. Kieran and Izzy had an especially hard time saying goodbye to their special ‘friends’ Irene (Juliet’s daughter) and Jerry (Juliet’s son). Not to worry, however. Emails were exchanged and we are sure their friendships will continue long distance. Reluctantly we left the house and started off to the vans. The walk seemed longer for some of us on the way back (like Kieran and Monica). After what seemed like an eternity we reached the vans and loaded in for our final drive back to Rondo, during which time we tossed food and Kieran’s Jolly Ranchers to kids and created multiple nicknames for each other. For example:
Jacquleen- Jake
Kiki- Kieran
Ned- Kristen
Izz-balla- Izzy
Monique- Monica
Harry- Haley
Amakeesha- Amelia
Bonquiqui- Ben
Elizaqueen- Elizabeth
Linquisha- Lily
We finally arrived at Rondo, to spend our last night here. (written by Kristen)