I do not even know where to start. It is a lot of impressions to take in. I have only been her for a day but yet so many stories to tell.
I landed in Narobi wednesday night and I was picked up by a chaffeur and taken to our Airbnb. I met Julie and Dawm and Lottie which I am going to spend the next weeks with. I couldnt see much since it was so dark outside, but when we woke up the next morning and went outside the apt, it was slum next door. Next to high fences and security guards it was people walking without shoes and was living in hand made homes. It was wierd. When we drove to the AirPort it was people walking all over the roads, a whole family on a motor bike, some where doing laundry on the streets, others where eating and preparing for a new day. Such a different life than ours.
We boarded the flight and landed in Kisumu couple of hours after. We drove directy to a coffee place to have a small meeting. At the coffee place we met John. John is one of the caretakers at Familia, the home for abused and "homeless" girls where I will spend a lot of time. Familia is the girl project Julie started to give girls here an opportunity to create a life for themselves. All this girls are coming from very sad and difficult backgrounds. John was telling us about his background and it was very touching.
"When my parents died when I was little, me and my sisters were left to ourselves more or less. I had 3 older sisters, the oldest one got married away by my family to a 78 years old man who already had 3 other wifes and that was HIV positive. She hated the life but she was forced into it. She manages to escape but had to live on the street as a prostitute to feed herself the following years. She died eventually. The same happened to my second oldest sister too. My third sister also turned out HIV positive, but she were able to give birth to a healthy baby. This girl is now living at Familia. My sister couldn't take care of her, and even tho she is still alive HIV have attacked here brain. That's why it's is so important for me to be here and help the girls and my niece. I want to make sure we create a life for them they deserve"
It wasn't only Johns story's I heard. But several of the girls stories, that we are supposed to meet later on this day. I was so shocked by the stories I have heard. None of these girls choose their life, they are forced and born into it. And I am sitting here thinking how lucky I am just because I am born in Norway. In another life we might have each other lives. I am just sitting there thinking I want to do whatever I can do help these people, these girls, as many as we can.
We also had to plan for the blessing bag event that we are doing Sunday. We are having an event for street kids, so they can come have a hot meal and get a blessing bag. The blessing bags consist of: tooth brushes, soap, a clean t-shirt etc. Nessacities that we take for granted. A hotel donated many of their employees to cook the food we needed that day. We are hoping to feed 200-250 street kids. So there is a lot of logistics and buying to plan for the 2 following days. We met up with the hotel and the chef and the manager er confirmed everything for Sunday. After the meeting we headed to lunch.
We had lunch in the middle of the local market where all locals eat. We had ugaly, which is a typical Kenyan food, it reminds me of mashed potatoes with less taste. Then some fish and kale salad. We eat with our hands, like the kenyan people do.
In the afternoon we did some food shopping at the market, and the impressions driving around were huge. There is poverty and slum next to nicer houses. You kinda just have to see it to understand it.
We were supposed to meet the girls on their house after they came from school so we drove up there. They live like a 20 min drive from town. There is no proper road so it was quite a bumby ride to Get there.We were supposed to live in Patricia's house. The girls neighbors. She live in a nicer house in the area. Its quite strange to see people living next to each other on such different levels. Some Barly have clothes to wear and some has a lot. We had to be very careful and could not walk around alone.
It was amazing to meet the girls. They all came dressed up in their uniforms. I havent seen bigger smiles then They got in a long time. It is a special feeling to know their background story and at the same time see them so happy to meet us. It is a lot to take in.
Patricia invited all of us for dinner - and we brought some extra guests too. So She basically invited 25 extra people for dinner additional to her own family which consisted of kids, grand-childrens and some friends. This is nothing like Norway where "we only have space for 8". We had a very lovely Kenyan meal.
At 8pm I was dead. But somehow my body was a little restless. The impressions throughout the day is a lot to take in. At the same time I am so thankful for this oppertunity. It really gives me a perspective on life in Norway and life in general. I can't to spend more time here and start out our projects.
Da ble det en tur vekk fra Oslo til Namsos denne uken hvor jeg fikk besøke familie og brukt litt tid på å komme meg vekk fra jobblivet og alt annet som skjer i verden. Det er så viktig å få ladet batteriene om man trenger det og i mitt tilfelle så var det også bare den generelle savnen av å se familien min. Dette er et sted som jeg har besøkt i alle år og det er så fint og fredelig. 
