Kenya has quickly shown itself on what an amazing and vastly different country it is. Yesterday was our city tour of Nairobi, which was unique and incredible. We got to see and meet all different types of animals around the city- giraffes, ostriches, turtles, crocodiles, and monkeys. We were able to view the city from afar, from within, and on the outskirts to truly get a feel for what Nairobi actually is as a city. Playing with all the animals was wonderful and a dream, especially having a monkey on my back, but what impacted me the most was Kibera. Kibera, as I learned yesterday, is the largest slum in Africa and one of the largest slums in the entire world. We went straight in, initially meeting some powerful HIV positive women that cumulated their own business to support themselves and bring awareness to the community showing that you are still powerful with a diagnosis. Next, we went to a shop inside Kibera and filled twelve bags with flour, rice, beans, sugar, and salt. The group of us carried the bags through the zig zag roads, alleys, and nooks of Kibera to help the worst off in the neighborhood. We helped 12 families eat and every single person was so gracious and thankful. Walking through Kibera takes a toll on your mind and heart even for the strongest of humans. You’re so hyperfocused on every step you take making sure you don’t trip on an uneven ledge, step in a puddle, catch your head on a clothesline, or slam straight into a tin roof. Because of all the looking down and around it is very hard to take in what is actually going on around you. Kids everywhere, each step a new 100 sq ft room to a family on your right and left, tin metal and mud as the siding and roof for room these families live in, laundry being done in buckets and hung to dry, and people just trying to live. The funny thing is, with nothing except themselves, the kids seemed happy. Playing together, running around, using sticks or anything they could find on the ground to entertain themselves. I think back to the states to how many toys kids have and the amount of money people spend on trying to make themselves happy. But what always comes to light is that happiness is internal, you can’t buy it, and even in one of the largest slums in the world it was blatantly evident. That experience will forever be in my heart and I can’t wait to keep experiencing everything Kenya has to offer.
