DIVAS

While at St. Catherine's I soon learned all women like to be pampered and treated like DIVA'S. I had taken nail polish to make them all feel pretty, and what a blast. I must have painted thirty women's finger and toe nails. It was funny the whole time I was on my knees on the dirt floor, touching dry, dirty, stinky, African feet I was thinking of Andi. Andi has a fetish about feet, oh boy she would have freaked out with these feet. After everyone was beautiful, or SMART in their language, they all strutted about the room with a smile from ear to ear. I wondered how they would react to lipstick, perfume, hair embellishments, and a hot bubble bath! Oh the things we all take for granite.

It truly was a wonderful, wonderful day spent with new friends, with women just being women. My ladies gave me far more than I gave them. I will cherish always the laughter, the conversations, and the friendships I made in two short days.

2/10/09 From Mom: I spent the day with women quilting and painting toenails and fingernails. They loved it! The are just a group of women laughing, gossiping and bragging about their kids. I took a photo of Brykn and showed them all. They smiled and said, "Oh, so cute!" Also did half day of medical screening. Its so hard for us as I wonder if we are just putting a band-aid on a big problem. But, I also think if we make them feel better for a day or so, I suppose we have made a difference. We are going to Molo, a city 2 hours away. We are expecting to see 600-700 people each day for the next three days. I miss you all and I miss my bath tub. Love ya.
From Tiffany: I bet today was a lot of fun. Had they ever seen fingernail polish?
From Mom: All is great. We are on our way to Molo. No, they had not seen fingernail polish before. It was fun to see their faces, their reaction was that it was smart and beautiful. It brought smiles to their faces. Funny how all women like pampering and how we all like to look pretty. It was a wonderful day.

What No Cows!

I learned in Africa cows are valued and define wealth, though most of the cows I saw in Africa wouldn't be considered to valued in the US. Most all the cows were very thin and didn't have to much life in them. There are so many cows of different breeds just wondering the streets, tied to front of a store and herded along the highways. So many people in Africa go without food and water so they can graze their cows. The cows are worshiped and rarely sacrificed (butchered) and if they are every ounce is used. From the blood that is mixed with milk and drank, to the hide that is used for a mattress. Even the tail that is used as a fly swatter.

My conversation with Elizabeth and the other women, I'm sure left an impression in their minds of my wealth or lack of it. They all acted as if they felt so sorry for me, as I had not even one cow. I however, feel so sorry for them as I have seen what they have and how they live.

2/9/09
From Mom: It's day 14, and I am doing good. A bit tired, but good. The food here has got my stomach upset a bit and I think I have lost a pound or two. YES!

My day that I called, "the visiting teachers" was fun. A group of village women who are friends sewing and laughing. I told them I have a bunch of bra-less buddies and some half ass Mormon best friends!!!!

Elizabeth, one of the women, asked me how many cows I had as cows are a sign of wealth. When I told the woman I have no cows, they were amazed. But, more amazed at the fact that we have two horses and two dogs. They all laughed at our animals. I think they think we are very poor without cows. Love to all. Lauri, Mom and Grandma.

From Kristina: Hope your stomach feels better. They probably think you are one weird lady, no cows, bra-less friends, and Mormons who have half an ass. Wow, you are strange! Nonetheless, I'm glad I'm part of your strange life! Lots of love, Kristina

From Mom: Tell Andi I'm doing good. However, the group doesn't know how to take my jokes about the Mormons. They think I'm serious. And, tell Grandma I tried to call. Love you.

From Kristina: You ought to invite them to your baptism in Teresa's pool! I think they would really understand then! LOL! Kris

Women Being Women

One of the things I most enjoyed while at St. Catherine's school was spending time with the women from surrounding villages. Several of the women have children who go to the school, while others simply wanted to spend time with other women and walked twenty miles to do so. I was so tickled to see, women are just women no matter what language one speaks, no matter the color of their skin, nor their economical status. They all want what is best for their children and are willing to do what ever it takes to ensure they have a good education.

The women came in our make shift relief society room, it didn't matter that there were no chairs, a nice floor, or any treats to share. They sat on the dirt floor, never went to the long-drop or got a drink of water. We all laughed, giggled, shared story of our homes, and our families. It was touching for me to see women ten thousand miles from the US, so proud of their children and grandchildren.

They are talented women with so much to share with each other. Several wanted to make quilts, so I pulled out several pre-cut 12X12 blocks and offered to teach them a pattern I had done before. I was so proud of myself, and I thought it looked very nice. However, they didn't agree with me as they said, "it needs more color." They wanted each block different and colorful, and so pattern, so that is what we did.

Others in the group made bags out of plastic bags that at cut into stripes, the ladies then crochet them and sell them for a very small fee. Just as in the US, "Necessity is the motherhood of invention!" The only difference is in Africa everything is a necessity.

One of cutest little ladies in the group of Nancy, a small petite woman who also had elephantiasis She was thrilled to make a hat on the loom. Though I am sure standing on her legs was painful, sure finished an orange hat to give to her daughter, of who she was so proud of.

I was a bit amazed by the common American names all the ladies had. I don't really know what I expected their names to be, but no Mary, Margaret, Joyce, Susan and such. My ladies, however, had never heard my name and said it was very difficult to say. So they called me "Mtani" meaning familiar friend in Swahili, Elizabeth said that was my new name. I considered it an honor and when I go back in a couple years I hope I am still their familiar friend.

Very few of these women have the luxury of a sewing machine, fabric or notions nor have any of them seen a fabric store. They use rags for cloth, and they protect their needles, buttons, and crochet hooks as if they were gold!

This is my sewing, crocheting group for the day.


This is Ester, the woman who is so determined to make sure her children get an education. She is in the AILC video. Love you.

From Mom: Well, today was a great day. I got to work with the women of several villages. We crocheted bags from plastic bags. Don't worry, they are new bags we brought. It's a pretty cool idea. The women then sell the bags so they can pay for their children's education. Elizabeth has been coming to St. Catherine's school for the past four years. She speaks very good English and has fifteen children, six of them attend St Catherine's. All the women had many questions about America and Obama, and hey were also interested about my family and my grandson. Okay, I had to boast about my Lil' Buddy. I will take photos of him tomorrow.

Today, I also tested people's eyes for reading glasses. It was fun to see people's faces light when they could see their Bibles or thread a needle.

I also spent some time in the medical clinic. There was a lady with elephantiasis and a man with a huge tumor on his face. I took some pictures so I could show the ER Docs. I miss everyone, love ya!

From Kristina: Sounds like there is so much to be done there. What a great woman you are to go and help these people! Stay safe, can't wait to hear all your stories. Love, Kris.

From Tiffany: Way to go, Mom! Look at what a wonderful impact you are having on the world!

African Cement Work

Our first day at St. Catherine's School & Girls Boarding School was a welcomed sight, especially after being at Athi Village for two days. St. Catherine's was build and opened about five years ago, however the Girls Boarding School has only been open for two years. The school sits on six acres in the hills over looking Lake Navsiaha. It is owned and operated by AILC and is currently home for ten boarding girls ages 15-17 years old. These girls live in a dorm type complex, a very sparse dorm at that. They go to school with bible studies starting at 5:00am six days a week. Their day ends at 8:00pm again with bible study. The parents must pay for school and boarding, with the exception of two girls who are sponsored by AILC. These two girls are sponsored because of their extreme intelligence, their determination to succeed, and their desire to help their fellow country man. I was so impressed with these girls attitude towards their elders, the enthusiasm they have for learning, and the lofty goals they have for themselves and their families.

There are eight large cement buildings at St. Catherine's, where school aged children from three to eighteen attended school daily. Though there are no boys who board, there are ten very bright, very energetic, very good looking young men who have the privilege of attending school at St. Catherine's. There are also children in several different levels of their educations learning as much as they can. It is different than school in the US, as these children must pass the test in order to move up. In many classes you see an eight year old in with the four year olds. All the students have a great respect for their teachers and stand as the teacher enters the classroom. The students never speak off, and when called up on they stand in respect before giving speaking. WOW!!! No one would ever see that in the US. In the US you would see a student flipping a teacher off, before they would stand! The students in Africa have a love for learning and I am convinced that all teenagers need to spend a month in Africa. Possibly they would come back with a new out look on life, their self entitlement, and more respect for others.

My first day at St. Catherine's was spent doing construction, yes construction as I wanted to experience it all. So with that in mind I headed for my first lesson about "African Cement Work." First, off I was looking for the cement mixer, not one. Second, where is the scaffolding, it's an old fifty gallon barrel. Third, where is the hose so we can mix the cement? Grab two five gallon buckets and trolley the water from a deep rain water well. All I could think as the process was being explained to me was Oh, Hell would Steve get a kick out of this!! With my first lessons learned it was okay let's dig in. First the dirt and sand must be haul from a pit five miles away. Then it is four wheel barrows of dirt/sand to one bag cement. It is mixed on the dirt floor of the building, being built. A well is made in the center of the pile and water is added in so specific ratio. Now the fun begins you take your trowel and with a quick flick of the wrist you throw it on the wall. Michael the job foreman, said I was a natural, oh my please don't tell anyone. After the entire wall is covered with this so called cement then you scrap it back off using a large African level. This process is repeated FOUR times! The last coat is then troweled using a long wooden trowel. The wall ends up being semi smooth and actually sets up pretty good. I really wanted to write my name down in the corner, but Michael said absolutely NOT! My day doing construction was long, back breaking, and interesting to say the least. I was amazed at the lack of tools, the lack of technology, but impressed with the skills they have, and to use what they have in order make it all work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2/7/09
From Mom: Well, it's Saturday and I've gone about 10 days. Today we all got our first look at St. Catherine's School, the school AILC built and supports. Each child must pay to attend, wear a uniform, and go 6 days a week. I have decided that American children have everything and value nothing. However, the children here in Africa have nothing and value everything! Today I and 2 others helped a mason finish a wall in a new classroom. Oh boy, it was almost like going back 50-75 years--they are so far behind the USA. The kids are so cute and not as poor. I will try to call tomorrow. Love you.

Athi River Village--"The Poorest of the Poor" & Rutty Roads

Rutty Roads

Our ride to Navashia from Nairobi was hysterical. The roads in Africa are anything, but modern and really wouldn't even be considered a good dirt road in the US. On any given highway, if one could call them a highway, there are supposedly TWO lanes. However, in the rush hour traffic it soon turns into a six lane free for all. No one obeys any kind of laws and it it everyone for them selves getting where they need to go, driving however, they chose. We were driving along with a competent driver, when suddenly it was bumper to bumper, and fender to fender. Suddenly people got mad, jumping out of their vehicle and started walking. Leaving the vehicle in the road. Plus, if they want to pass the simply diving off into the bar pit, or the cactus and keeping right on trucking. The entire ride sort of reminded me of the song "East Bound & Down" and the "Wild Mouse," gone bad. I thought of the pot holes on I-15, in Utah County and laughed. Compared to African roads they are not pot holes, simply a little bump!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AILC, first stop was at the Athi River Village, alias "The Cardboard Village." This the poorest of the poor in the Nairobi area. These villagers live literally in cardboard houses, with anything else for structure and support they can find. They live on approximately ten acres of infertile land, that does not even belong to them. They use the near by river for drinking water, bathing, and do their laundry in. It is so sad as there are so many sad lost souls in this village. One little boy about two, sat in the make shift medical clinic for two days. He never spoke, laughed and showed any emotion at all. After we left, I concluded he was probably deaf, but there would be no money to have him tested.

The children of the village can go to school, in a school house the men have build near the houses. However, the parents must pay to go to school and the children must have a uniform in order to go. Some of the uniforms had obviously been handed down for several years. Some of the villagers do work at a near by cement plant, but they only earn a dollar a day. Hardly enough to send a child to school, when the must try to put food in their mouths.

All the children seem very small for their age, as they haven't had good nutrition since birth. Though they are happy and love the attention the group brings twice a year. I know children will play with anything, but seeing these kids play with an old tire hour after hour was very disheartening for me. Americans children have some many toys they never play with them all, yet these children's only toy is a old used tire....

The only bright thing about those at Athi River is the chicken project, established by AILC. There are nine residents who have embrace this project, showing a profit by selling the eggs. They are just in the process of buying another two hundred chicks, just so they can double their profit. Thanks to those who gave money for the chicken project, it is such a positive thing. The coop is spotless and is a coop just like in the US, with the exception of a around the clock guard to prevent thefts. It is the dream of these nine very hard working villagers to have enough profit to enable them to buy a piece of property, build small houses, and leave the village. We call it the American dream to own a home of our own, it is not just an American dream it is every ones dream!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2/5/09
From Mom: We are back to Athi Village and on to another this evening. Doing good. I slept very good last night for the first time here. Will text again soon.

From Tiffany: Hello Mom, I miss you hope you are doing well. Oh, wow, what an eye opener. I think we Americans are spoiled. Love you and see you in 2 weeks.

From Mom: Tiff, could you please have Brykn leave a message on my phone. I so want to hear his voice each day. Love you all.

2/6/09
From Mom: Well, the 2nd day at Athi River Village when well. We seen most of the people yesterday. The ride to Navashi was 6 hours long and it was like a bad wild mouse ride. The road here makes the ruts in I15 look small. Plus, there is no order whatsoever. Everyone drives where they want and of course on the wrong side of the road. And, it's only 5 feet wide! Oh wow, what a ride. Love ya. I will try to call in a few days.

In Nairobi
2/5/09From Mom: Hi everyone. Well, our first day in Nairobi was spent at Athi River, a cardboard village. Everyone is very poor. All the children were happy as they know no different. They are amazed at our white skin. The children just wander about the village with no purpose. We have treated people with many different things and pulled several teeth. We will go there again tomorrow before going on to St. Catherine's school.Love ya.

From Jacquie: Glad you are having a good time. Being in another country is eye opening. Be careful. Love you. J.

Bryson & Emanuel-Guides Extraordinaires~~~Moshi, Tanzania

One week after I landed in Tanzania, I took one last look at Moshi and the people who work and live in this congested city. I had fulfilled two goals in one week, first Mt. Kilimanjaro, WOW... what an experience. Second, a life long dream of going on safari. Would I do either again, YES, but a little different, well a lot differently.

I will meet the AILC group tonight in Nairobi, but not until 9:00 pm, so I have the day to see Moshi up close and personal. Bryson and I walked through the city market. Markets in Africa are not at all like any market I've seen in the US, or for that matter not close to a country farmers market. Everything here is so dirty, the streets are all dirt roads with only the main highway being some what paved. The market itself sits in the center of town, about two blocks in diameter. All the villagers along with people who actually live right in Moshi sell and buy almost everything in the market. Women sit on the ground with buckets of fruit and vegetables to sell. Trucks are loaded to the brim with pineapples, bananas, and sugar cane. Inside this rickety old building there were large five hundred pound bins of rice, beans, and nuts. It seemed like each isles had a theme similar to the store in America, but it is all in the bulk, big bulk. People run their hands through all the bulk items, before buying what they want. The fish isle was so GROSS, the fish was mostly dried with the heads on, and the smell was horrific. I have never seen anything like the meat and egg isle. There were slabs of beef, goat, and lamb hanging with flies crawling all over it....... plus the eggs are not refrigerated and who knows what was inside the eggs. I am sure my eyes spoke volumes about my thoughts and feelings, and for the next fifteen days in Africa a vowed not to eat any meat of eggs.

After leaving the market, Bryson asked if I would like to walk through the market again by myself. My reply was quick and was OH NO!

My last day in Tanzania was an experience to never forget, especially when I ran into Nina and Martin for the last time. It was so good to see them and catch up on their Mt. climb. Martin did summit, however Nina did not. Both were looking forward to going on a safari and wanted my opinion on where to go.

Bryson dropped me off at the airport at 5:00pm and once again I was alone in a forgein country, but not for long. I was excited to meet up with the AILC group, not only to hear English, but to share my experiences of the past week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bryson-Mt. Guide Upper
Emanuel-Safari Guide Lower

While hiking on the mountain and enjoying the safaris I learned so much about both guides. My kids often wonder why I ask so many questions, possibly Bryson and Emanuel thought the same thing. At any rate I learned both are remarkable people.
Bryson is the only son of a family with four sisters. He like everyone one else in the villages around Moshi grew up very poor. He father, a farmer, grew a variety of crops that they would then sell in the markets each Tuesday and Friday. Bryson was able to go to secondary school (high school) only because his aunt paid for it. As a young boy of eight years old, he loved hunting DIK-DIK's, a small antelope looking animal. Bryson told me how he and several of the neighbor boys would go hunting at sunrise each Saturday. Along with a donkey used for carry, and a dog used for chasing the DIK-DIKs, and a sharp knife to slit the throats of the DIK-DIKs it was an all day trip. Bryson told me the dog would chase and catch the DIK-DIKs, and then he would run up and slit the throat of the captured animal. After which he would load it on the donkey, when they had killed about fifteen DIK-DIKs they would go home. Bryson said many days they would be gone for twelve to fifteen hours.
I also had many questions about Bryson's guide business. He told after he graduated from secondary school, he couldn't afford to go to Prep School, (college) so he became a porter of which he did for four years. He was then hired as an assistant guide for another four years, until a client from the USA encouraged him to go to guide school. Bryson then took the guides test and past it on the first time, something that is rare. When I ask how many guides there are on the mountain? Eight hundred, WOW, I could hardly believe his reply. Bryson is well known and well respected, as all most every other guide that would pass us, spoke to him and was glad to see him. Bryson is married with one two year old daughter; Regent and Angela are the apple of his eye.
*****
Emanuel, my Safari guide, actually is one of four employees for Bryson Adventure & Safari Company. Emanuel a twenty-five year old single man was very nice, very cordial, and simply pleasant to be around. Emanuel was so knowledgeable about all the animals and each national park we went on safari in.
He too, has had a hard life, to American standards. He has resumed the role of the head of the house, do to the fact that his father passed away two years ago. He financially takes care of his mother, sister, brother and his own daughter. Emanuel told me how he would love to return to Prep school, but he doesn't have the money. I don't know if this was a plea for help, or just conversation. He like Bryson also had to attend guide school, in order to be a safari guide. East Africa has very strict rules for the business of pleasure, if one could call climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro pleasure.
While on the first day of the safari, I had expressed Brykn's desire for me to rope him an elephant. Emanuel just smiled. However, then on the second day when the huge elephant charged us, as I am backing up in the Land Rover thinking we were going to be trampled. Emanuel just laughed, and said "There is your chance rope him!"
At the Farm House, there are also guide quarters, but Emanuel would eat with me each meal. It was at dinner that he expressed his desire to see America. When I ask what it was he would like to see, he replied "The whole thing, but I would really like to ride a horse!" So funny to me, but then again I am sure he wondered why in the world I got such a kick out of the elephants, monkeys and giraffes. I assured him if he came to America, I could make sure he had the opportunity to ride a horse.

I was grateful to have two great guides, who cared about me and my experience and would do it all again, maybe even the Mt. Kilimanjaro!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Mom: Jambo everyone. My first week in Africa has been very interesting to say the least. My legs are finally feeling normal, not like peg legs, though my toes are still numb. I didn't give my hiking boots to the porters, I think I'll have them bronzed, or maybe they can go on KSL.com along with my cute green back pack! LOL, LOL! Wow. the safari was great, though I thought I was either going to be lunch for the Massai, or be smashed by an elephant. All I could think was what Kelli said? Not Kili-my-aunt-Lauri... Bryson has picked me up from the hotel and we just walked through the market where all the villagers sell their wares GROSS! Now I will go have lunch with his family and then head to Kili airport to fly on to Nairobi. I will be glad to hear English, that's for sure. After week 1, all I can say is it has been awesome, but we are SO...blessed. Love you all, Mom, Grandma & Lauri.

From Andi: Just having you in our lives makes us sooooo blessed. Glad you are having such a great experience. Miss ya tons! 2/4/09

From Mom: Well, I am back where I started a week ago--the Kilimanjaro airport. Bryson & Emanuel both bid me a fond farewell and asked I say hello to all of you. They also asked if any of you would like to climb the mountain or go on safari, that you call them. I suggest the safari! I will let you know when I get in Nairobi. Love you.

Sopa~~ Hello in Maasai

More than a hundred years ago, the Maasai ruled over much of East Africa. Their feared warriors were renowned for their bravery and cattle stealing escapades. At which time countless Maasai lived inside the lush green Ngorongoro Crater. East Africa chose to make the crater a national park, thus forcing the Maasai to reservations out side the crater. They continue to cling tenaciously to their culture and customs, while the pressures of the modern world build up around them. Their many rites of passage--rituals that transpires the participant from one stage of life to the next, give life a meaning and purpose that is often lacking in other cultures.

The Maasai Tribe were so intriguing to me. From the bright colorful shawls, to the jewelry and its meaning, to the spears and sticks the men continually carry. Going to a Maasai village was one of the most extraordinary things I did while in East Africa. This particular tribe live high above the crater, but still have grazing rights inside the Crater. Each day the young men and boys herd the cattle approximately thirty miles from their village to inside the crater. They stay with the herd, protecting them from all predators and thieves. At the end of the day it is backup the very steep road, back to the village where the herd will stay inside the enclosed fence area of at the village. The amazing thing is the herders have no water or food for the duration of the day.

When I first arrived at the Maasai village in the Upper Rift Valley, I was nervous with anticipation, but curiosity. After paying a small fee to the leader, I was soon the center of attention. Oh my! I soon found myself encircled by the men of the tribe, singing and chanting a welcome song and all the while dancing and jumping with spears in their hands. For a brief moment I wondered if I was going to be dinner!!! As the men continued to dance around me, the women of the tribe stood almost reverently singing a different song. I was told that the men and women never sing the same song, as the men and women have different roles in the welcoming process. However, then again the men and women have different roles in the Maasai Tribe. The men do very little, yet the women do almost everything, from building the house, to hunting for food, and caring for the children.

After I had officially been welcomed as a guest, I was allowed to enter the small fence compound they call home. I am sure my eyes spoke volumes about my many thoughts. I tried to take photos without making them feel like they were on display, but I really had a hard time not just staring.

There were small children crawling around in the cow manure left from the night before, a woman was beating the hair off a cow hide that had recently be scarified, and the village women had a huge circle of beaded jewelry set up all of which was for sell. So much of what the villagers wear are symbolic of some thing. They were red as they think the lions are color blind and there fore can't see them. The jewelry also has meanings. A mother can not wear earrings unless she as had a son that has been circumcised. A young boy can not carry a spear unless he has killed a lion, of which makes him brave and a warrior of the tribe. Customs worlds apart from Americans.

I was invited into one of the twenty-nine huts, to sit and have tea, but it was so small and very stinky. The huts are made from mud, cow dung, urine and sticks, no wonder they smell. Shortly after entering the hut I got claustrophobic and ask to please move on. The head matriarch continued to show me all the village including the school. The children obviously rehearsed were in a small pen looking room chanting and singing the A,B,C,'s and counting for me. One small child caught my attention as he or she kept waving and smiling at me. I so wonder what the thoughts were of this young Maasai.

After an hour asking questions and trying to take it all in we left. These people are without a doubt the most intriguing people, with the most intriguing customs and cultures I have ever seen. Should I ever have the opportunity to visit Africa again I would love to spend a day or two with the Maasai.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maasia Village

2/3/09

From Mom: Everyone, today is the last day of safari. Yesterday was great. I got charged by a huge elephant, wow! I also was a guest at Massai Village--very interesting to say the least. Africa is a totally different world and I am amazed. I will be meeting the AILC group tomorrow and have been invited to Bryson's house to meet his family and have dinner before flying out to Kenya. Love ya all! So far, what an AWESOME experience!

From Andi: Take care of yourself, my friend. I am so proud to call you my friend. I miss you tons. ENJOY YOUR BUCKET LIST. I can't wait to see what's next. I'm sure the list goes on forever! Love, Andi

From Sana: Our hearts are very proud of you. The team leaves today and we are packed and ready to meet you at the airport soon. Here's my in-country phone 0716266038. Looking so forward to seeing you.

From Tiffany: Wow! I'm not sure what is going on in this picture, but it's interesting. I am glad your trip is all you dreamed of. Have a good time at Bryson's house and call me when you get to Kenya.