My host mum is amazing. After a quick lunch with her filled with constant conversation, I can tell she is going to be quite an inspiration during my stay here. She already has been during the two hours I’ve known her. From the little I had been told about her, I was expecting something totally different than what greeted me at the university.
First, I must say, the way they arranged the pick-ups brought us all back to the last day of summer camp, bags in tow, waiting anxiously for our parents to pull up and greet us with a big hug and take us home. This is what it was like. 32 college students ranging from 19 to 23 standing in a huddle watching eagerly for the next car to pull up, the African mom to get out, embrace their new child, and whisk them off for the weekend, while the rest of us waited jealously for our turn to be claimed. It was quite the scene. Everyone would cheer as the cars pulled up and would chant the chosen participants name as they walked to the car of their new parents. As I was used to being the last kid waiting on the curb, watching cars to go by, waiting to see my mom finally pull up long overdue, I was fearful those childhood days would come back as more parents came and went without me.
Finally, a car pulled up and Jane yelled out that it was for me, to which I responded with a quite unnecessary, YYYEEEESSSSSS. Relieved that I would not be the last one for today. I literally ran into her arms. She helped me load my bags, and off we went. Loise, aka Mum, has had six other host students and is very familiar with our kind. She informed me that she had new kittens, three of them, that were just born last week. Her female cat has had several litters, and after a few months or so, she gives them away to whoever wants them. We stopped for lunch at the cutest plaza in Jamhuri, my estate(neighborhood). They had the best coffee. I have needed little time adjusting to the wonderful spicy tea, the huge portions of food, and out of this world coffee. It was basically an American café, so I indulged myself in some of the best chicken I have ever had.
But enough about the food. My mum is a single mother due to a car crash that took her husband four years ago, while she was expecting her youngest daughter, Abigail. She comes from a good family, but has worked hard for what she has today. One of the first things she asked me was if I went to church to which I eagerly replied that I did. This made her very happy as she is a very faithful woman who has experienced incredible hardships, yet has made it through with the most positive and uplifting attitude I have ever seen. She believes she has been so blessed with what she has and believes no matter what happens in life, life must go on. She is so refreshing to talk with. She works with insurance claims, but wants to start an NGO (non-governmental organization) by the time she’s 40. she’s 36 now. Her vision is to have an NGO for widowed women, especially young ones, who don’t know their rights and who are too often taken advantage of after their husbands have died. Her mother is currently starting an NGO for women to teach them to be self-sufficient. Absolutely incredible. I told her about my passion for working with non-profits and how I have a big spot in my heart for at-risk, low-income youth. She says because we were only born 4 days apart, that birds of a feather stick together. She asked a lot about my family, and it felt nice to be able to talk about them as I hadn’t had much of a chance as of yet. I showed her pictures and she immediately told me I must ask my sister in the
Her oldest son is at boarding school, which has allowed me to have my own room, for which I am very thankful. The house is nice, she rents out the servants quarters to help with rent. Some of the people in my program have ridiculously nice houses, but I am happy I have an average working class home to learn in. I am currently sitting on my bed, staring at my filthy feet, and looking forward to my hot shower to come.
I feel very fortunate to have the host family I do. I know I have been put in a home where I will learn and grow and have the support of my host mum to do so. She ensures me this will be the best experience of my life and I will enjoy myself. I suspect she’s right.
Ok, time to shower.
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