Slums

Ok. Well. The other day we went into the slums and it was the saddest thing I think I have ever seen. What made it worse was the fact that we actually knew the kids who lived there from the orphanage from the school. One of the social workers, Jacinta and Ann one of the teachers took us into the slums to meet the families. I had tears in my eyes as we were walking around!

So thought I would post what I wrote to give you an idea of what it was like.

'Today you opened your heart to Africa. You felt pain and sadness. You cried for those you did not know.

Before today you had walked out into the streets of Kenya, acknowledging expected signs of poverty. You turned a blind eye. You ignored that little girl who followed you down the road asking for money. Hapana. No. Poverty is everywhere across the globe. You have become desensitised to the pleas of beggers on the streets... to the needs of those less fortunate. You are sympathetic, you offer money, you support charities. yet through all of this you have subconciously distanced yourself from the problem.

Today you not only step beyond the gates of the orphanage but beyond any prior knowledge or understanding. You are leaving to recruit children from the streets for the school in the orphanage. Mentally you are prepared, clutching on to an image of your poverty stricken neighbours, an image that instantly shatters. You walk further into the slums and for the first time you open your eyes, accepting the orphanage for what it is. A safety zone. Comfort. Food. Education. These children are fortunate, they are provided for. You mindlessly wander. You focus down on the rocks and stones jutting out in every direction along the dirt path. You look up...pain. you want to stretch out your arms, just to hold one of the children. you are jolted back to a harsh reality; you are there to watch, to experience; that is all.

A mother of six welcomes you into her home. Home. That is what she calls it as she takes the opportunity to kick some cups across the floor of dirt to clear some space. You struggle to accept what you see, wishing, hoping that your eyes are deceiving you. All you see is four walls sheltered by tin. You stand at the door, allow your eyes to tour the 'house'. One bedroom, one kitchen, one sitting area... one room. A home for six children, yet only one bed. She carries the youngest in her arms. No more she is told. No more children or things will get worse. You want to laugh but you know better. You cannot even begin to comprehend this notion of 'worse'. Only one of these six children was to be offered a second chance, an education. Just one. You say nothing. You smile and walk away.

A Mother sits nursing her daughter on her lap. She welcomes you in. You duck as you enter, allowing your eyes a few moments to adjust to the dim surroundings. It only takes you a quick glance sideways to take it all in. Her house. A house that could not even sleep three children. You are told the eldest sleeps at a neighbour's. You don't even look surprised... there is just no room. The middle child was deprived of his education. This family couldn't afford the exercise books or uniform, he couldn't go to school. You watch the little girl carefully, admiring her innocence as she smiles shyly from her mothers lap. You say nothing. You smile and walk away.

A mother and her two-month-old baby boy greet you at the door. She is flustered as she finds the key to let you in. You want to ask what belongings she could possibly be protecting behind the locked door. You know the answer before you even walk in. She has been working. Casual work...washing clothes. There is no-one to look after the baby, he goes too. You walk into a room. No...you walk into a home. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the blankets on the ground. Once again you want to speak, you want to question... you want to be wrong. Her bed. Not even a mattress for her and her three children. You say nothing. You smile and walk away.

A little baby sways at his mother's feet. He peers down at his belly, lifting his shirt to get a better look. You smile for a second. You are told a story of abuse, a story of a violent husband. You are told lies. This mother leaves for days on end, leaving her kids on there own. She tells you she is escaping abuse, really she is escaping reality. She is a drunkard. Her husband is a drunkard. Her children are alone. You allow your mind to wander...What will happen to these children? You say nothing. You smile and walk away.

A grandmother smiles as she leads you into her home. She warmly accepts your company, truely glad you have come to visit. Her daughter is dead. A woman in her 80's she is left to raise the children. She is struggling, too old for casual work, yet determined. You take the opportunity to gaze across the room. There are two beds in this house...two! Then you discover there are nine children, other abandoned children in her care. Suddenly it doesn't seem so much. She grins at you and thanks you again for coming to visit. Once again you find yourself questioning, What will happen to these children once she is gone? The truth is harsh. You say nothing. You smile and walk away.

As you make your way back towards the orphanage, you hang your head, buried within your thoughts. You think of the double bed you sleep in alone, while some of these families are left without a mattress. You think of that steak you sent back because it was overdone, while some of these families have no food. Some no work. Most no fathers.

At the orphanage you are in the classroom teaching. You teach them about numbers and shapes and colours. You watch them smile and you smile with them. You watch them laugh and you laugh with them. Now you have been to their homes, the place they go at the end of each day. You fight back the tears. They don't cry, you cry for them. You want to say something now. You want to shout and scream in frustration. You want to...but you don't. You cry for the world you have come from. You cry for the meals you couldn't finish. You cry from the comfort of your bed. You cry for their smiles, for their laughter. You cry because you realise, you just took the first step to becoming desensitised.'

Anyway, yes Clare is here now which is great! We are both safe and sound!