Today was a big day. We went to the primary school at 8:00 AM to go to second grade Swahili class, where we learned about greetings and manners. Here! I'll teach you too!
Ask: How are you? Habari? (Pronounced huh-bar-ee)
Answer: Good. Nzuri (Pronounce in-zur-ee)
Now you know some Swahili too :)
After teaching English, we took a photo together with all 106 orphans, ranging in age from about 4-18. The kids absolutely LOVE taking photos, because they get to see themselves on the camera. They laugh and point, saying "Huyu mimi! This is me! This is me!" They jump up and down trying to see, laughing and screaming in excitement.
The touching moment of the day was after class ended, and we asked for a hug from some of the orphans. They hesitated, shying away, unsure if this was alight, and we realized that although this is a wonderful orphanage, the children do not get hugs, as there are so many, and the teachers are there to instruct, not to be their parents. Yet, slowly they came, one by one, not sure where to put their hands or what to do, but the last little girl looked up shyly and then jumped into my arms grasping me in a big bear hug, and not wanting to let go. These children are so mature. I cannot imagine not being hugged as a small 7 or 8 year old.
The children all know our names now, and they beg us to teach as we pass by their classroom. "Welcome you come teach me today?" a little girl shouted out the window as we passed.
It is so beautiful here.
-Laura
P.S. Tomorrow we will be traveling to Massai Mara to go on a Safari, and we will be staying at a hotel with fast internet, so in the next few days, I will upload photos onto the old blog posts!
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