Talking to a Public Primary School

I went to a local community primary school and talk to girls in 6-8th grade. I had the opportunity to tell all these girls that they are a masterpiece of God, and to be confident in who God made them to be.

Before going to this school, I, with the help (lots of help) from the girls at women’s centre, sewed 150 bags and filled them with pads, soap, and panties.

The girls got to improve their sewing skills, learn about pressing, and other sewing techniques.

We then went to the school, and I gave a talk to the girls about periods, encouraging the girls to not miss school and assuring them that they were not “unclean.”

It was great to see their confidence grow from when I first met them to when I had to say “goodbye.”

Thank you for everyone who donated to make this possible!

Unfortunately, it looks like I will be leaving a week earlier than I had planned. While I am sad to leave as what seems prematurely, I am so grateful for this trip and everything that has happened over the past 6 weeks. In reflecting on my goals I had set for this trip, I can say that this trip has surpassed all my goals and expectations. I had hoped to:

1. Help with medical care in any way I can– I was able to help out in more areas than I ever imagined, from suturing and operations, to taking vital signs and feeding newborns.
2. Help with education– I am so glad that I got to visit villages and promote healthcare, as well as teach about health in different schools. These were such meaningful experiences, as this education is so vital to keeping the overall community healthy.
3. Help people in Kenya
4. Meet people- I have formed so many relationships with people and everyone here has left a lasting impression on me from their kindness and hospitality
5. Go to church- I am so grateful to meet people at different churches and see what God is doing in Kenya
6. Learn to be flexible...yeah…leaving a week early because of a global pandemic?
7. Learn about medicine in other countries – I am so grateful for the doctors for showing me the differences in Kenyan healthcare!
8. Learn about other cultures – It is such an honor to have been invited in to the homes of the people here. I appreciate everyone here for teaching me about their life! Also, a big thanks to everyone who taught me Swahili and Kikuyu!
9. Allow for exploration of creativity – Everyone one here has amazing skills in creativity; something that I aspire to– whether it’s in healthcare, education, or daily life, their creativity is so evident.
10. Learn inter/independence – I have done so many things here that I would have been afraid to do before now. I can remember less than year ago during college, I went to church, but hid outside the sanctuary in a isolated corner because I was too afraid to go and talk to anyone. For several weeks I went and was near tears each Sunday…Or when I had to knock on my RA’s door to ask a question. It took me approximately 2 hours to do this…you can ask my roommate, she kind of forced me to go and knock on his door…I played piano at my College ministry and hated what I did afterwards because I could only think of everything I did wrong…However, on this trip, I yelled at the top of my voice people’s names in the streets of Limuru to call them into the hospital (even though I almost always was pronoucing them incorrectly). I talked to so many strangers and played/sang for many different communities here. I got to talk to the pastor at the church and the musicians. I talked to large audiences without using a script–a big fear of mine and something I’ve only done about 2 other times.

All this to say, that God is good and he knows the best timing. Although I am leaving earlier than I planned, God has done so much on this trip, and I am grateful for each moment and every lesson I have learned.

Ok…enough cheesy talk!

More Stories Later!

Happy Adventuring,

Gabrianne