The Global Neighborhood

After a long journey, with much preparation, time and effort, we finally landed on the moon. We are now in the world of the global neighborhood. Because of the efforts of Susan Frey and World Wide Waldens, we overcame our technical difficulties and at 6am Kisii time and 11pm Concord time, we connected the Kenyan students with the Walden Youth Summit Team and it was undoubtedly a great success.

The Kenyan team in Concord, led by our good friend Kate, greeted our Okari School students with a few verses from "This Land is Our Land". The Okari students sang the Kenyan National Anthem in return. The Concord team opened the summit with some great questions for our team. They wanted to know what projects have been going on at the Okari School, an explanation of the water catchment systems, tree planting, organic farming, and the importance of the chicken farming. Our students were a little shy at first and did a really awesome job explaining each of the projects to the young people in Concord. We are proud of them because English is their second language and they practiced hard to prepare their answers in English for those listening in at the Thoreau Institute. It was then the Okari students turn to ask questions of the Walden group. They asked about sustainable projects going on in the US and there was some funny conversation about the issue of water - one of the Kenyan students asked the kids in Concord if they had to "walk to the river" to get their water. They also asked if the students in America eat snakes - which made everyone laugh. Somehow there is rumor going around Kisii that Americans eat snakes. We think that it was Mike, the President of the Board of the Margaret Okari School, spreading these tales to the kids at the school.

After much discussion on sustainable communities, the importance of water and food, we lightened up the summit and let the students go freestyle back and forth with questions about their respective lifestyles. Vincent, one of our Okari students, asked, "What do you do in your lazy time?" Which brought about laughs on both continents. But it was clear that in two different parts of the world and different cultures, they had a lot in common as young people. Both groups loved music, sports, and an interest in making this world a better place for all those in the present and those to come in the future. We commend both groups for doing an outstanding job and being the pioneers in creating the global neighborhood.

For us it was inspiring to see the young people connect and share common goal and purpose. You have to understand that our group had never seen a computer until we showed up. They had never used a keyboard, the internet, google or skype. The Okari students were extremely happy that they could see and talk with students all the way in America. They thoroughly enjoyed their part in the youth summit and the connection they had with other students. They felt like they had learned a lot about what is going on in America and felt pride about all the projects that had been taking place at the Okari School in the last year. We hope that this will inspire the students to continue to work hard and help Mother Earth and we hope anyone reading this will take action in their own town, neighborhood, or city.

You have done a good thing at World Wide Waldens and thanks for making us a part of it. One thing is for sure - we have found our next project at Andover Youth Services. Our World Wide Walden is the Margaret Okari School. We have made lots of powerful connections with the students, the elders of the community, and Kwamboka Okari - our dynamic, thoughtful, and visionary leader. We have been welcomed into the community of Kisii and we are now family. We have worked hard the last 15 years to create community in everything we do at the Youth Services and we will now take that experience, strength and hope to our beautiful new friends at the Margaret Okari School. We hope you come along for the ride because if you know anything about us, we believe that people are everything. Our hope is to help this slice of heaven continue to operate, get the resource it truly deserves, help thousands of kids who are now orphans get a chance to live a purposeful life. Please call us or email us at the Youth Services and become part of the AYS Team that will give Kisii an endless stream of support and love.

We are preparing to leave which will be a huge challenge for us. In a very short time we have become connected to the students and teachers in an indescribable way. Both sides are not going to want to say goodbye. Colton has had an amazing experience and we are contemplating leaving him here and coming back next year to see how he is doing. The funny thing is: he is okay with that. If you are reading this, it should help you get a greater understanding of what has occurred this week. For now it is easier for us to say, "Asante sana kwaheri."

Bill, Colton and Glenn

The final Colton Fact is: Kenya has changed him for the better. He is an expert in Swahili and made many new friends. And that is that.

Good Night, Kisii - Not Good bye

We spent our last day here at the Okari School its late in the evening and we are getting ready to go to bed. There is a feeling of sadness to leave a place where we learned so much and feel we have been accepted into the Okari School as family members. From a youth perspective, there is so much for people to learn from the students here and the community of Kisii. They know how to live in the moment, and even though they don’t have much in terms of materialism, they are very rich in a spiritual context. They truly place great value on the simple things in life: a meal, a glass of water, the importance of rain, the necessity of shelter, and true respect for one another. Everywhere you traveled people would welcome you into their homes and were sincerely interested in you, your story, and how you are doing. God lives in these hills of Kisii and we are changed people because of it.

Tonight we had a celebration in honor of the students at Kisii and not surprisingly Kwamboka, Joanne, Bill, Glenn and Colton were the guests of honor. From preschool to eighth grade the kids performed eloquently for us. The final song was the best. The kids all danced in a circle and chanted the guest of honor’s names and before we knew it we were out there trying to keep pace with the students as they grooved to sound of their beautiful voices. Afterwards we had to say a few final words because we are leaving in the morning after an early morning skype with the Walden Summit. We promised the students that we would let the world know about these amazing young boys and girls who are so intelligent and talented. We asked them to keep working hard and believe in themselves and if they make it to sing in front of their President we would find a way to get them to the states and sing in front of President Obama. We will keep that promise.

We are grateful for all those who have supported our trip and endeavors in Kenya. We thank Colton in believing it is right to help others. We thank Heather, Summer, Solana, Nevada, and Harmony for supporting this special trip. We’d also like to thank Peg for believing in us for the last 15 years. Thank you to Kwamboka for her beautiful smile and for showing us what a true leader is made of. A big shout out to Joanne who has cared for us here in Kenya and is unique and powerful person in her own right. Last but not least is the AYS Family on Pearson Street - thanks for taking care of business and believing in us enough to give us this opportunity. It has been such a wonderful gift.

Love and Peace to you all,
Bill, Glenn, Colton and the 3 inch mosquitos

Margaret Okari School is victorious!

Ever since we arrived at the school we have been witness to the students practicing for a competition with the other schools in the area highlighting their performance skills, choreographed dancing and singing. Kwamboka said that the song they chose was about someone coming to their farm and stealing their cows and she sang it as a little girl. The contest was scheduled for a short 1/2 mile away from the Okari school but due to the heavy downpour overnight the roads were washed away and the contest was moved to another location 5 miles away. The staff at the school was disheartened to hear this news but decided that it would not be fair to the kids after all their hard work not to participate so they decided to walk the 5 miles to the location of the new event. At 10am the students and teachers headed off to the muddy roads with no food or water but high in spirits. We were laughing because we were thinking - could you ever imagine students from Andover or anywhere else walking 5 miles to participate? (the question is - why wouldn't they?) At about 8pm we could hear some singing coming up the road and the cheers of "Okari! Okari!" getting louder as they marched into the school compound. One of the girls ran up to us and said that they placed 1st in all categories and would advance to the next round in hopes of making it all the way to performing for the President of Kenya.

We are all very proud of these hard working students and God has blessed the Okari School. The AYS will be throwing a bash for them in the dining hall at approximately 7pm Kenya time. Hope to see you all there.

We've continued to work with our six students on the environmental issues of the school and surrounding area. We have been extremely impressed with their knowledge of organic farming, greenhouse development, chicken farming, water conservation and catchment systems. adn the importance of creating a sustainable, effective community. Tonight at 6pm we will begin the World Wide Walden Youth Summit with the Team Kenya greeting. Our team is very excited to be involved in this project and look forward to talking with the students at the Thoreau Institute this evening.

If you are reading this blog, please check out the World Wide Walden website and take heart their message that they are conveying to us all. Live simply, everyone in Kenya already does.

The highlight of our day was our arranged meeting with the town fathers and mothers. It was held in a hut overlooking beautiful farmland and filled with historical artifacts from the Kisii area. It was an extremely powerful situation - we were asked to share with the elders our reason for coming and details of our lives. One after another, each person spoke about community, connection, brotherhood and sisterhood, and becoming a single family all with the sole purpose of helping the school and kids of Kenya. Bill was a little uncomfortable when asked to get up and speak because the person who introduced him to the elders recognized the fact that he was white and although the man's grandfather was killed by white colonists he said it was okay that Bill spoke here today. The elders were very impressed with Colton and his speech to the group. Colton's presence was important to them because they believe that he will be forever changed by his experience to Kenya and will serve as a link to the US and the community of Kisii.

Colton's Kenya Fact of the Day: the average woman in Kisii has 9 children and the area is one of the richest producing regions of Kenya. 80% of Kisii is under cultivation.

New Roots

Today was similar to the days back at the Andover Youth Services. We were up at 5am and proceeded to learn, play, sing, and dance with lots of laughter in between with our awesome new 88 friends at the Margaret Okari School. We also had the opportunity to meet and talk with our World Wide Walden/Kenyan students. We had long and lengthy discussions regarding the work they have accomplished at the school which is nothing less than amazing. They educated us on the importance of water catchment systems, organic farming, the greenhouse, and the chickens that have been purchased which feed the kids and provide local job opportunities for residents.

We purchased, after much debate, a certain tree which we feel will best suit our goals and complement the school’s needs in the future. As you may have guessed (by the blank spot in last night’s blog) the tree we selected is the jacaranda. Team Kenya grabbed a couple of picks that looked like they belonged in the Andover Historical Museum and we ventured out to plant some trees. Colton, Vincent, Rodgers, Geoffrey, Shae, Lewis, and Nevian dug holes in the red African soil, mixed in some manure compliments of the on site chicken coop, and planted 30 jacaranda. Yes, we will be back on a yearly basis to check the progress of our saplings. The kids were all excited and it felt good to plant these trees.

Glenn hung out with some locals and got to know the local motorcycle taxis drivers and took one for a spin while Bill went to the market to get refreshments for the entire school. We threw down with cookies and warm soda at 6:30pm Kenyan time and it was a bash! Its been a long and eventful day - needless to say we love Kenya and the Margaret Okari School. We are in a cabin tent outside the dining hall where they meet and sing songs. We will be falling to sleep tonight as we listen to these beautiful voices sign “London Bridge is Falling Down” in Swahili. As our good friend Captain Al says, “It’s a beautiful thing.” Yes, Al, it definitely is.

PS - A shout out to Dave of Whirlaway Sports - thanks for your donation of soccer balls and footballs. The kids love them.

Wasungus

Jambo! After a hearty breakfast of porridge, pineapple, and wheatabix we left Kwamboka’s and headed to our school of rock - the Margaret Okari School. On the way, as always, we had a few little adventures. The first one was heading into safaricom and getting our mobile internet connection at 9,000 Kenyan shillings - what a deal! We passed through downtown Kisii on market day and it was bustling as we stopped at the local superstore to pick up some cookies for the student’s party. Kwamboka picked up some sweet bananas and we hit the local tree nursery on a search for ones we will be planting over the next few days.

The type of tree that we decided to go with is the _______. This tree is preferred because it replenishes the soil rather than depleting nutrients and preventing other crops or plants from growing. This is important because people have small plots of lands and every inch of usable soil means a great deal to the 75% of the population that is involved in agriculture.

We headed up a fairly steep and muddy road, turned left and reached our destination and, ultimately, our purpose - to meet the kids at the Margaret Okari School. It started a torrential downpour when we first pulled in and had to wait 20 minutes while the kids peered out of the classrooms and shouted, “Wasungu! Wasungu!” When the rain stopped we jumped out of the van, threw our bags in the guest house (a 15 X 15 cabin tent), and broke out our bag of tricks. At first kids were a little tentative, but in usual AYS style - in 10 minutes we had 100 kids playing soccer, wiffleball, frisbee, catch, Simon Says, and rock, paper, & scissors. The crazy thing is that we had them playing this all at once. The kids were all awesome from age 5 up to 17. There were tons of smiling, energetic, very athletic Kenyan kids having the time of their lives. This was an epic 4 hour event - almost as epic as the cake fight we had at Pearson Street. At the end of the Kenyan games we had a ton of new friends for these Wasungus.

Colton is like Justin Biebers walking down Main St in Andover. The kids can’t get enough of him. We headed into the school dining room to be entertained by some unbelievable dancing by three different age groups. We look forward to tomorrow and we’ll leave you with Colton’s Kenyan Facts (sorry we missed last post - no internet at the time).

Kenyan greetings: Jambo - hello; Asante sana - Thank you very much; Habari yako - How are you?; Karibu - Welcome; and lastly - Wasungu - white people.

We are overwhelmed by the hospitality of the kids and staff here. There is much to be learned here from the folks in Kenya.

Through the Rift Valley into Kisii

where to even begin . . .

we did a short spin around nairobi to see historical areas and famous buildings and then we were on our way down the tarmac to kisii. everywhere we went we were met with smiles and stares at the wasunga - that is white people in swahili. We are riding in style in simon’s 4 cylinder diesel van that we affectionately named the white rhino. Man, can that guy miss potholes and oncoming traffic like a seasoned professional.

It is hard to put into words what the 6 hour journey elicited from us. One moment you would pass beautiful, lush, crayola-green tea farms and the next minute you would see women lugging 80 lbs of coal for heating and cooking - like 90% of Kenya does daily. For us wasungas, the overcrowding and lack of resources of any kind were somewhat disheartening. However it reminds us of why we are here. There are more than 1 million orphans living in Kenya and with one out of every 18 Kenyan adults tested HIV positive, it is up to us to have each one of these beautiful kids to have a meaningful life.

So we are rambling on and heading off to the leader of the Okari School in Kisii to have dinner and discuss the urgency of the matter before us.

BTW if you are tuning into this blog, please check out worldwidewaldens.org and take a look at the Youth Summit that we will be taking part in later this week. In the spirit of Thoreau and our experience this afternoon, we leave you with one of his quotes: “Be not merely good, be good for something.”

Night in Nairobi

After 18 hours of flying across half the globe, we have finally arrived in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. We were met at the airport by two beautiful, happy residents who will serve as our local guides - thank you Simon and Eva!

It is hard to believe that we are actually in a different continent and already we are struck by the beauty of the people of Kenya. Colton is amazed by the 4 inch grasshoppers that swirl around all the lights of gas stations and in the hotel lobby. Our small layover at the Intercontinental gives us a chance to gather our 200 lbs of gear and organize for tomorrow's trek through the Rift Valley. Has anyone seen our malaria pills? They might be in the Pearson St office.

Team Kenya would like to thank a few people right now in case we are devoured by lions and don't get around to it later. First part of the Team Kenya family is Susan Frye, Director of Education at the Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods (yes, we have the stones!). Also a hearty shout out to the students who are a part of the World Wide Walden's Youth Summit who will be meeting up with via Skype on May 20. We are inspired by your challenge to "live deliberately" which we pass on to our own community and will spread worldwide. Peg Campbell for making this happen for us. We appreciate her stuffing duffle bags with frisbees, maps, school supplies, and more into her car until there wasn't any room for passengers. We jammed in there and made it onto the plane in typical AYS fashion. We are grateful for the support she has given the Youth Services and are grateful to be part of her efforts in Kisii. To the AYS crew and the township of Andover - Suzie, Afton, Tony, Jamey, Bryanna, Sobhan, and all our friends in town - you will be with us every step of the way.

Here is a special feature for the blog: Colton's Kenya Fact of the Day
Kenya is home to over 7,000 species of plants and trees, over 25,000 species of animals, and in excess of 1,000 species of birds.

Spread the word about our blog, World Wide Waldens, and the Margaret Okari Children's Foundation. It is simple, we just need you support the cause one way or another. It is up to you!

AYS in Africa

In 5 short days the Andover Youth Services will go global.

AYS Director Bill Fahey and Assistant Director Glenn Wilson, along with Bill's son, Colton, are heading to the Margaret Okari Children's School in Kisii, Kenya to take part in the Walden Youth Leadership Summit, share & implement youth development programs, and assist with sustainable environmental projects.

The Margaret Okari Children's School has an amazing mission to "build the physical, spiritual and educational foundation of the children of the Kisii region in Kenya, whose parents have died of AIDS." There are 88 orphaned children who currently board at the school and another 650 trying to get in. The school keeps the children safe, educates them, and gives them the tools to flourish the rest of their lives.

The connection to the Margaret Okari Children's Foundation begins with Andover resident, Peg Campbell. She was introduced to the cause by a co-worker and was inspired by the work of Kwamboka Okari, the woman responsible for the operation of the foundation. In the brief two years since Peg has been involved, she has implemented several initiatives including constructing new buildings at the school, creating sustainable business ventures for the local community, and developing new markets for the local craftsmen.

So, why is AYS going? It starts with Bill's son, Colton Fahey, who saw a TV program on local heroes and learned that one of the leading causes of death for young people in the world is a lack of clean water. Since trees and their roots are one way to help filter and clean the water, he took it upon himself to start a fundraiser at his school and raised $250 to buy trees for Kenya. That was the beginning of several events that have all rolled together to create this adventure.