“Today we celebrate our rights,” a child described “African Child Day.”
On June 16th, early in the morning, a large bus set off with some MCC children and children from the community’s primary and secondary schools. Upon arriving in Kinyui, several students from different schools were already gathered, and the Maisha Mazuri children joined them. A parade began with a small orchestra and children singing. Adults, parents, and teachers followed behind.
Finally, we arrived at a school playground where the students gathered in a circle. The day started with dance competitions to Kenyan pop songs, where two students from each school were brought to the center. This was followed by pre-rehearsed dances and poems presented by the children. Not only at the home, but also at this event, I internalized how important dancing is for Kenyans. All the children seemed to have a lot of fun expressing their mood through dance. There was also a drawing competition on the event’s theme, “the rights of the African child in the digital environment.” The artists artistically depicted both the advantages and disadvantages of using digital media. For example, entertainment through media like cell phones was illustrated, but at the same time, how children feel neglected by parents who spend more time with their phones than with their children.
At such larger events, I am repeatedly struck by how my skin color differs from that of others. Not because I consciously notice it, but because Kenyans constantly draw my attention to it. Children and adults specifically approach me to say “hello” or to shake the hand of a ‘white person.’ I unintentionally receive a lot of attention, am stared at, and photographed without being asked. This makes me very uncomfortable. I don’t feel different or special among them, but the behavior of others gives me the feeling of being special and different.
White people are rare in this area, which is why it’s an ‘attraction’ for locals to see a white person. Nevertheless, I would wish to be treated normally, just as locals treat each other.
In the last few weeks, while Marta was still here, we cooked with the children several more times. One weekend, every child got ‘Rolex,’ an omelet rolled in a chapati. The next weekend, the kids grilled smokies (small sausages) over a campfire and had rolls with them.
Finally, before Marta left, we cooked another huge portion of spaghetti. The kids eagerly helped with the preparations. They peeled and cut vegetables and simmered them with tomato sauce. This time, it was 12 kg of spaghetti, all of which the kids devoured. If I hadn’t known that the kids ate roughly this amount last time, I would never have believed they could finish such a large quantity.
The kids are always very happy about spaghetti or similar dishes, partly because they love cooking and baking, and partly, I think, because they also enjoy having some variety in their usual diet.
After 3 months as a volunteer, Marta’s time here is over, and she has returned to Germany, and I will now spend my last 5 weeks alone at the MCC.
To care for the still-small trees in front of the MCC and ensure they get enough water to grow, each child is now a ‘tree sponsor.’ After I explained their task as tree sponsors, they ran to their chosen tree and proudly stood in front of it. They fetched water to fill the clay pot buried next to the plant, which continuously supplies it with water. They trimmed the surrounding grasses and filled the gap between the fence and the ground to protect the plant from animals like our goats. Now, 1-3 children are responsible for each tree, to care for and water it, as it will be a while until the next rainy season begins. If the children continue to diligently live out their partnership as they started, then some fruits might grow this year.