One in Two Million

We got home late Friday night. Since then, we've unpacked, done mountains of laundry, welcomed our 2 year old son home, prepared and given a report at church, restocked the refrigerator, and gone back to work. So much for a couple of days to relax before getting back to the grind. I've been meaning to write a post on our experience in Kibera--Chad actually asked me to do it 5 or 6 days ago (depending on which time zone you're in). I've honestly been putting it off. We left Kibera with such mixed emotions...it's hard to put it into words.

For those that don't know, Kibera is the second largest slum in the world with 2 million "citizens." There is 1 toilet for every 10,000 people. Houses and shops are assembled with whatever means available--sticks, mud, pieces of tin, whatever. We were told to stay close together in a group and to not take any valuables with us. Our team walked about 20 minutes zig-zagging our way through the tiny allyways in order to reach a primary school founded by Slum Outreach Ministries International. The dirt path was a little tricky to maneuver with rocks and trenches and little streams of sewage running this way and that. I soon figured out why Margaret (the founder and director) sternly lectured us about staying with our group--it would have been so easy to get lost. But even amidst the dirt and the smells and the sheer horror of witnessing first-hand the living conditions for 2 million Kenyans, smiling children rushed to our sides saying, "How are you?! How are you?! How are you?!" over and over again--all you could do was laugh and smile at their beautiful little faces...so eager to give us high-fives and hoping for some "sweets."

We finally arrived at the school. Margaret explained that they have 290 children at the school (1000 are on a waiting list). The school provides priceless education and a lunch (ugali) to the kids 5 days a week. For most of the children, this is the only solid meal they get. Everything is provided by donations--in other words, they receive no help from the government. My, what we take for granted. Our team got to lead recreation with the kids and then ate lunch with them. We sang songs, took pictures, played with soccer balls, and had an amazing time. I spent most of my time holding a little boy. He looked like he was only a year old, but come to find out he was 4. Malnutrition is an evil we must conquer. The left side of his beautiful face was scarred from what looked like a really bad burn. I clutched him tighter and prayed for his safety.

We eventually said our goodbyes and headed back to the bus along the same twisty little dirt path. I couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed by it all. I mean, it's one thing to see pictures online and read stories and know that millions of people live and die everyday in these conditions. But to experience it first-hand. To look them in the eyes, knowing I have lived an extremely priviledged life. And then to walk away. I know I can't single-handedly rid the world of hunger and poverty, but I can work to change one life at a time.

Until next time...