It's exactly two weeks since I arrived in Kenya. It was sad leaving all the people I knew behind at Hald, close friends I had come to consider family. It was painful to part, so painful that I cried. I never cry during times of saying goodbye but somehow this time I broke down especially looking into the eyes of some of my close friends. I remember how, after having hosted the final Hald dinner, it hit me hard that for some, if not most, we may never meet again on this side of heaven. Oh the reality of Celine Dion’s song, Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear. Deeply, painfully heartbreaking.
It took me a while to adjust. Many awkward moments followed. For instance, at one time, I was disturbed by the loud music in the bus; we call it ‘matatu’. I even wondered how people could handle that much noise. You should have seen the look on my face when the bus conductor asked for my bus fare. For ten months, I had gotten used to using a bus card. Luckily for me my brother was bailed me out by paying. Grace, my teammate, at one point even stretched her hand intending to push the stop button in order to tell the driver to stop but then we have no stop buttons here. That’s the entry culture shock.
I spent the first one week lost in thought staring into space thinking that I am dreaming to be back here. I have had a dream at least once every two days involving the moments at Hald International Centre. I had to take a weekend away with my caring brother and mother who helped me release all that was in my heart. Several talks with friends here and abroad have also been helpful. In order to help myself adjust, I have deliberately placed myself in the thick of the culture where I have no option but to adjust. It has helped a bit. I still find it a challenge to fully adjust though. I miss the moments and the people at Hald. I have changed, people have changed, the world around has changed. But we have to move on…
So what's next? I am presently searching for a job in accounting and finance even as I lay down plans to study masters. I have also narrowed my focus to two projects I will be pouring my heart to: The first involves establishing a community library in my hometown and the other involves providing support services to small and micro enterprises. Change involves boldly taking a step at a time you see. Keep it right here for updates soon on how we can partner in these two projects as we strive to make the world a better place. One last thing: And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream [Martin Luther King Jr.]
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