As someone asked me, "when will you be collecting Margaret from the Airport?" Well I am happy to say that I collected her last night and am so happy that we are here together to deliver the Art Immersion program we started in 2008. Margaret and I continue to be in awe of the fact that an idea to provide an intensive art education to these "smart, beautiful and important" students at St. Al's is not only a reality but something that is now an ongoing program. The excitement is building. We met with Kiambi the Headmaster at St. Al's to go over logistics and then off to the Text Book Centre which is where all school and art supplies are purchased here. It is nice to put the money in the Kenyan economy and not have to carry supplies from the US. The people at Text Book Centre are so nice and willing to be helpful that it is actually a fun experience. We had our requisite breakfast at Nairobi Java and then tea this afternoon so I feel we are grounded back in Our Kenya.
I arrived Friday Evening and went to visit my Kenyan Family in Nyeri, Kenya - Central Province. On the way there it has become obvious that Global Warming is having a really negative affect on this part of Kenya, from Nairobi to Nyeri. From Nairobi to Sagana, right outside Nyeri, it was brown and there were whole unrealized corn crops dead on the stalk. It was hard to see. Nairobi is grown right now and it is normally green and a more rain. My friend, Wangari, some of you know her as Anne said that this is the worst it has ever been. Awa Ndirangu, Wangari's dad, a 70 year agriculturist said that this is the worst ever and they are worried. Awa said that this is basically the first year that they do not have Maize at this time of year and that the crops are not producing as normal. The coffee should be flowering and there should be rain. It is very scary for Kenyans, and as a global citizen, pretty concerning. Even though in Washington DC, the weather has been abnormally nice, another side affect of Global Warming.
The trip to Nyeri was pretty special. The reason that I was asked to come up right away was that a mass was held by the family priest to welcome me into my Kenyan Family, the Ndirangu's. It is such an honor that a Kenyan family whom I have become so fond, wanted to officiate a mass to welcome me into the family. This is such an honor. Many of you all know that I have a fantastic and wonderful family that I cannot talk enough about. Then to have another family in Kenya, I am filled with gratitude. Now that I have been welcomed to the family, I have been asked to take part in the 50th anniversary of Mr and Mrs Ndirangu on January 2, 2010. What an amazing gift and honor. Wangari's father Awa (dad) Ndirangu said he never knew that he would have 7 children, he thought 6 was enough. Most of the family came from around Kenya for the Mass and those that could not be there in person, sent either their spouses in their place or called with best wishes.
To conclude, I am feeling full of life. Having Margaret here to teach with, having a Kenyan Family, the Ndirangu's, Having my first Family, the DeSantis's, staying at the Jesuit Community at Pedro Arruppe in Karen district of Nairobi, having the ability to teach art to smart, beautiful and important people, something that has meant so much to Margaret and I. Wow, we are fortuunate--Until next blog, be well.
Charles and Margaret
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