When in Kenya...

Yesterday started out a little overcast which was a much needed break from the African sun. I am amazed at the endlessness of the sky here. Unlike home, there are no tall trees or skyscrapers blocking the view, just distant mountains in every direction. Also unlike home, every night there are stars covering every inch of the sky.

For work, we focused on mixing, pouring and spreading cement in the first classroom, as well as continuing digging holes for the live fence surrounding the school. Anna Claire, AB, Hannah, Megan, Miss Wyatt, Julian, Rebeckah and I worked on the cement, either measuring the sand in wheelbarrows, hauling water from behind the school, mixing the sand and cement powder, adding water, and lastly, wheelbarrowing it into the classroom. We worked alongside many of the Masai men and women. Every day I am more amazed by their work ethic. They're constantly working their hardest, offering help where it's needed. By the end of the day, the floor was evenly spread and ready to dry overnight.

Around 4:30, after our work was completed for the day, we were treated with a surprise performance by the students. About 30 students dressed in typical Masai garb danced and sang for two songs. We were all in awe at the purity of their voice and rhythm of their movements.

The kids continue to be eager to shake our hands, look at our watches and bracelets, and play with our hair. They speak english every change they can, excited to practice what they've been learning in school. They are absolutely in love with Rebecca, who interacts with them constantly. At this point, I'm not so sure they will let her leave when we had back to the Masai Lodge.

Today, work has been focused on mixing and laying cement in the last two classrooms. We repeated the same process as yesterday, and are all excited to have finished one of our major projects. After lunch we had finished 86 of the holes for the fence. On the last day, we will plant the trees in a ceremonial manner, hopefully involving the entire school. Laura, Anna Claire, Lucy and I got the chance to work with some students in their classrooms, helping them with math and english homework. I was amazed at how much they know. A boy named Moses even taught me a few new things about math!

To date, we have seen donkeys, camels, antelope, zebras, wildebeast, and to my excitement, six giraffes pacing along the horizon. I expect we will see many more animals when we go on the game drive in a few days.

Hayden, Katarina, Sarah, Lindsey, Megan, Julian, AB, Miss Wyatt and Coach Batten went on homestays last night. They all came back with beads around their necks, new Masai names and great stories to tell. Tonight, Hannah, Rejean, Lucy, David, Keenen, Mrs. Townsend, Coach Ski and I are going to our homestays. We look forward to be submerged in the true Masai life and culture.

We're still having trouble uploading pictures and videos, but will do the best we can.
We send our love to friends and family.

Mary Beth