Volunteers Arrive

David, Sherrie, and Avril Humphrey from Calgary, Canada, arrived at Karibu Guest House last night around midnight. They should have been here sooner, but the evening rain really messed with the traffic. Rick and I were awake (barely!) to greet them along with two clean but very barky dogs. After the formalities of greetings were exchanged, everyone headed for the beds. By the way, the fact of the dogs being clean lasted exactly as long as they stayed in the house after their baths. Once we let them out to do their business this morning they were potty dirty again. Ah, well. I knew it couldn’t last.

This morning the Humphreys and I took the opportunity to foray into Karen. There were several good excuses. We hadn’t checked the Karen PO box in over a week and there were bills in it that need to be paid. And some of the girls are changing schools and thus need new uniforms. So we took Mum Jane (in charge of clothing) and two of the girls as far as Karen from where they took a matatu on into Nairobi to the shop that has the uniforms. Kinyua had loaded one of the gas cook tops into the car to take for repairs because it was leaking gas and needed to be fixed before it blew something up. The Humphreys wanted to get a few groceries for breakfasts and change some money. Rick and I needed some items from the store as well, along with a few hand tools for hand-to-hand combat with the weeds that, encouraged by the rains, are starting to take over around here. Also a mess of new clothespins and some clothesline cord. With the danger of afternoon rainstorms, we need all possible clothes hanging capability so the clothes get on the line, get dry, and get off the line and back inside early in the day before the rain returns. In addition, I bought ice cream to go with the cake we were planning for an evening farewell party for Mum Lucy. She’s leaving us to work full time on her master’s degree. All in all, quite a productive trip to Karen!

Dave, note personal protective equipment!

Sherrie with one of the babies

We were back to Corner Baridi in time for a late lunch of githeri. Then Rick took the Humphreys on a tour of the compound. Afterwards, I folded the clothes Rick had hung out to dry while we were gone and Rick and Dave mowed and attacked weeds with the weed-eater. Sherrie had a good time with the babies while Avril took a nap.

Avril and friends at dinne

After dinner, Rick and the Humphreys enjoyed their first Hekima Place party experience. I’d call it a celebration, but we were hardly celebrating the fact that Mum Lucy is leaving! One of the older girls MC’d the evening, calling on each the girls present (not a huge number with so many away visiting family), the other mums, each of the Humphreys (to their surprise), Rick, and me to say a few words of thanks to Mum Lucy and wish her well in her future. The speeches were followed by a cake complete with candles, ice cream, singing, and farewell gifts. Mum Brendah, Lucy’s replacement, has been with us for a week now and will, I think, be a wonderful addition to the Hekima family. But we will really miss Mum Lucy.

Mum Lucy (center) honored at the head table