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.