First we were met at our hotel by the visit host James. He gave us an orientation as to what to expect. He had hired a driver for the day, but we sent the driver away (with a little tip) because we had Polykens. James took us to a supermarket and we bought a gift "basket" for Elisha's mother, which included staples like soap, rice, flour, salt, and sugar, etc. I also threw in some Canadian maple syrup.
Then James took us to the Compassion compound to meet Elisha. The compound was completely NOT what we expected! It was in the midst of poverty, with mud filled "streets" that were almost unpassable. The compound was very basic, and run by the nicest most welcoming people. It was very evident that they were so happy to have us visit, and also evident that they loved the children and loved God.
Elisha was such a quiet young man. Very shy. James says that is his nature. James also said that Elisha is always clean, he is never dirty. He had dressed very specially for us today. He took quite well to Polykens. I think Polykens took special interest in him because that is the age of his children.
We started in the Compassion office, a very basic room very small, and waited out the downpour. They showed us all of Elisha's records in a big fat book, which included copies of his letters to us, his yearly evaluations, his goals, and his mother's commitment to the sponsorship. We were quite impressed with the organized and complete detailed records. When we get home we will encourage people to sponsor a child. It is so worthwhile. Several of the children there do not have sponsors yet.
Parents must request that their child be placed on a list for sponsorship. They must prove need. Visits are regularly made to homes. So many apply and only a few are chosen, because each compound is told their number by head office. The compound works closely with the church and with the local schools.
Then the workers and the pastor all gave us a tour of different buildings and different rooms, each with its own grade level. They started off at the cute little youngest ones and worked up to the oldest ones. In each room we put Canadian pins on each child, until we ran out. We had brought about 50 of them, but there were 283 kids in this compound. Each grade greeted the pastor politely "Good morning our pastor" and were excited to see us. We took a picture of each class which the kids loved. They were such sweet kids. We are only the 2nd sponsors to visit this compound since it opened in 2006. James told us that tomorrow Elisha will be the talk of the whole compound, and they will all be wearing their pins and waving their flags and surrounding him with questions. So our visit was very special, very few children ever have the opportunity to meet their sponsors.
After the compound tour, James took us to meet Elisha's mother and see his home. He lives at home and attends school or the Compassion programs during the day, usually once a week. On his reports, the biggest problem is "absenteeism". When we asked James why Elisha had so many absenteeisms, he said it is usually caused by a problem at home. Elisha's father died of cholera when Elisha was 9, and there are 8 children. We only met Grace and Timothy. Elisha's mother was the nicest lady. She was so grateful for our sponsorship of her son. Our pictures were up on their walls. She said she had been praying for a long time that they could meet us. We gave her the gifts, there were many small speeches, and she brought chai and sandwiches for us. Elisha went around with a pitcher of water and a basin and held both while he poured water for us to wash our hands. We gave Elisha a bag of clothing, and they gave Anton a shirt that says "Kenya" and gave Frances 2 kangas, one for the waist and one for the head. The mama put them on for her. Also, Elisha gave us 2 bracelets that he had beaded himself, one that said "Anton" and one that said "Frances" (spelled correctly!) Elisha showed us the room where he slept with his brother, which only had one or two posters and a thin mattress on the floor. This visit to his home was by far the highlight for us.
Then back to the compound. It was only a km away but we had driven because it was so muddy. There we waited in the office and they served us drinks and lunch. There was a big pot of rice, a pot of fried chicken, and a pot of soup with chunks of potatoes. Frankie went back for seconds. Anton is having difficulty adjusting to the food.
After lunch we took Elisha to Mamba Crocodile Farm. Farm is right, because they just keep the older ones around for breeding, and they collect the young ones as eggs or as meat to eat (they take orders.) All the signs led to "Big Daddy", a hundred year croc who ate 5 people in the Tana River before he was caught and brought here. He weighs 800 kilos (1760 pounds). He's fed once a week, which is a big show. We missed that by half an hour, but it was getting late and we didn't want to stay. Elisha asked if he could have a horseback ride, he had never been on one before. Polykens said he has never even touched a horse, so it was new for him as well.
Patrick showed us around the crocodile farm, then a different guide took us through the botanical gardens (we were all quite fascinated with the plant whose leaves close up when you touch them) and he took us through an aquarium (a tunnel with glass cases on each side, the sea cucumbers were cool) and also through an area with snakes in glass cages. They were amazed to hear that we have a snake for a pet, in Kenya that would be associated with witchcraft. We explained to Elisha that we are not witches! The guide took out a fat python and Elisha did not hesitate to hold it, and we did as well, but Polykens and James were kabisa (very) afraid. We finally managed to convince them to touch it, but they needed hand wipes afterwards. It was interesting that we got guides, other visitors didn't. Maybe it was because we are "mzungus" (white). We also paid quite a bit more for our entry than that for the nationals.
After the Crocodile Farm, James dropped Elisha at the side of the road and told him to take a matatu home (!) and went back to the hotel with us to finish the paperwork and collect payment for lunch and expenses.
After James left, Poly took us back to the market and I found an optometrist to fix my glasses for only a few dollars, and we found a bank machine. Back to the resort apartment for the evening. Polykens went to town to visit some relatives. We walked to the beach, just past the restaurant. We walked along the beach and waded in the Indian Ocean, it was only a bit reedy and a bit rocky in spots. We scared up lots of little crabs. Full moon over the ocean. Great day.
Sent from my BlackBerry device.
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