Wow this place is paradise...seriously. I can't wait to post pictures. However, just to get access to Internet is quite the endeavor: a free boat ride across the river, a walk through the plantation, haggle with the motorcycle taxi to take me to the main road, catch a Matatu (public "van" crammed like a cattle car adorned with 50 cent and Boyz II men decals) in to town. I still have only had 2 showers since I've been in Africa. Takaungu is more of a collection of coastal villages than it is a town. Right now I'm kind of orienting myself to the different villages that I'll be visiting again with the community health workers. School starts on Monday and I'll be doing all the health screenings - grade by grade. There are over 230 kids total! It's Ramadan right now and the village is mostly Muslim so that makes finding food interesting. I'm currently living with Mahmoud and his wife, sister, uncle, and all their kids (~6). He owns a bike shop in the village. I'll keep you updated as more things start happening.
I'm overwhelmed by the amount of joy I've seen in the village. This quote has been haunting me for a while: "A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart." (Goethe)
I'm doing quite well and hope you are too!
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I was so happy to talk to you! I'm glad you are healthy. That is wonderful that you are taking Swahili classes! Love the quote from Goethe. Material things can clutter our vision.
ReplyDeleteSending love and prayers,
Mom
"To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion, all in one." John Ruskin
You're the bomb dot com.
ReplyDeleteExcited for more updates.
Much love from rainy Queen Anne.
It's September 7th, 1:00 pm here in Salem. Which means it's around 11:00 pm in Takaungu...you've just completed your first day of health screenings. I hope it went well. I'm sure the kids were absolutely adorable and thought you were the coolest thing ever. (next to Boyz II Men)
ReplyDeleteBen! I'm so excited for you! What an amazing opportunity! You are definitely in our thoughts and prayers! Ethan and I have been reading your blog, he's so intrigued and has such a heart for those babies your helping. :) He also wants to know if you've seen any tarantulas. :) We're proud of you and love you!
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