March against Violence Against Women (i.e. Men are Bastards)

demonstration by orphan group

spot the mzungu!

english lessons at A5

delicious sumaki. this njusi kuba wants to eat them

Restituta and Chrisburger

today was Resti's last day working at KIWAKKUKI. she is an amazing women. hard to grasp that we are the same age-a reflection of what i might have been in another time and place, she's my mother's "african daughter." KIWAKKUKI supported her as an orphan, put her through school from primary all the way to get her social work degree. instead of going for a higher paying job, she came back to the organization to help other AIDS orphans.

she was married last christmas and her husband has been living in another town all this time. it doesn't seem fair that he can't move here. when i asked, she looked at me as if i was crazy. Kichaa! (mad)
i'll miss her

karibu

every morning at KIWAKKUKI, the women headed clinic for HIV/AIDS and orphan support, we begin with prayer, song, and announcements. of course it is all in kiswahili so most of it is a blur for me. occasionally i have been asked to read the prayer--in kiswahili. it is always good to provide people with laughter in the morning. my favorite song is "karibu, karibu, tu ne sena..." literally - welcome, welcome, we are saying."

it is sung every time someone comes to visit, returns from a meeting or holiday. it becomes a bit ridiculous--everyone breaking out into it over and over, especially when you have no idea what is going on-who or what we are welcoming.

mmm a delicious "vegi burger" all the fixings of a hamburger, minus the hamburger itself. obviously, why was i surprised?