Allison Wiig's Journal
Back To Normal?
25-Nov-2008
Hello everyone,
Yes I am home, yes it is good, but I must say it's also very sad. I feel I didn't leave you all with a good conclusion to my Kenyan Adventures so here it is!
My last week in Ngong was filled with visits and adventures. Ashley and I were inivited for lunch nearly everyday and were fed well beyond out ability to eat! I'm sure we gained five pounds in chapati alone. But it was wonderful, we felt so special and so loved by everyone we had some to know and love.
As for the adventure...I will warn you (I have recently been yelled at for a lack of warnings) this will ba graphic! To our great excitement on Thursday there was a mom in labour! Grace, an absolutely hilarious woman was in charge of the maternity ward. She is short, chubby and full of mischevious spunk. Upon our arrival at the ward Grace declared Ashley and I would deliver the baby! Ashley wanted to protest, I was all in! Although I admit I didn't really expect Grace to let us do it. This woman was incredible, on her third baby she was a trooper. There was no way she was getting onto that bed until the babys head was between her knees, she walked and walked and walked. She was confined, for good reason, to the delivery room, and asked to pee in a bucket, for fear she would push out more than urine! It wasn't until her water broke all over the floor that she conceeded to get on the bed. Grace had left us at this point, so Ashley put her foot down and forced the poor lady onto the bed. We were both very thankful for our boots at that time as she had burst all over the floor beside the bed. Grace popped back in to check on us and then promptly left! Ashley and I watched the head get closer and closer to us hoping Grace would come back. At one point Ashley sent me to look for Grace but I'd hardly made it to the door before I hear her slightly paniced voice calling me back.Just in time Grace showed up and took up her post at the foot of the bed, gloveless, apronless, bootless. It really was up to us! Ashley and I crammed outselves between the womans legs and yelled instructions back and forth at each other as the baby emerged! Together we pulled the baby out, clamped and cut the cord... success! A screaming boy greeted us! Ashley delivered the placenta while I wiped down and weighed our baby. A very healthy 3.5 kilos, and no tears for mom, thanks to excellent support during the birth! We went out with a bang!
Friday was a sad day, we were presented with framed pictures of Kenyan wild life and thanked for all of our hard work. I had felt badly that we hadn't done more to support the hospital or advance it's programs. But it was made clear to me that our work was more than sufficient and very greatly apreciated. There was tea and tickle fights, laughter and tears as we said our final goodbyes, not only to the wonderful nurses but also to the entire staff! Even Allan the ambulance driver expressed his sadness over our leaving "we have gotten used to you." I will miss them all so much.
Saturday was the last trip into Nairobi and to the Maasai Market. Even there I said farwell to friends, women I had gone back to because they had been kind and fair despite my white skin. Much to Mary's dismay we were home later than we'd planned. I am suprised she even let us out of the gate that morning. We arrived to find Nancy and Elvin waiting for us as well. As mom had promised Nancy had come to see us off.
Sunday the sun shone all day and Kenya showed it's beauty to us. The recent rain had made everything so green and lush. The six of us walked to church, meeting mom there. Much to Ashley and my preference, but not our doing, we were quite late for church! As enthusiastic as they are it can be a bit much for two girls raised so conservatively! At home we had life as usual with cooking and Peter's antics. But there was an underlying sadness that everyone felt but no one spoke of. Mom moved the kitched counter out onto the porch and sooked us a massive pile of chapati "to carry in a paper." Ten hot flat breads in a black plastic bag went into each of our carry ons. I swear the bags add to the flavour!
Part of our Saturday shopping was gifts for her and Nancy. We got each of them a new back pack and filled it with school supplies and little things that reminded us of them. Peter got a toy SUV that the salesman described as "a car for Michelle Obama." He nearly had it broken in the first fifteen minutes. I had taken some things from Canada for Mom but it seemed like such an inadequate gift for a woman who had in three months really become a parent to me and such an important person in my life.
We piled into a very loaded down car that evening. As the bottom scraped against ground repeatedly I had thoughts that I would not in fact be going home that night. To get up the big hill at the end of the road Mom asked the back seat occupants, Mary, Nancy and Ashley to get out and meet us at the top of the hill. Peter and Elvin were left in the car, and Peter joyfully yelled "bye!" As they got out. Mom commented "with Allison here Peter can even say goodbye to Mary." He and I had become very close, my sweet little buddy, despite the occasional faked screams to get his way! WE made it up the hill, barely and were off. The drive was too fast, we arrived at the airport and I couldn't deny any longer that I had to go, that I had to leave my family, that I had to leave Kenya.
I have been on many airplanes and left many people behind. But leaving Kenya was by far my hardest goodbye. I wondered as I stood in line waving through the window why it was easier even to say goodbye to Jesse! I came to realize it was because I always had a return ticket, I always have some idea when I 'll be seeing someone again. Leaving Kenya and now I don't know when I'll see them again, my new family, but I do know without a doubt that I will see them again. I just hope that my assurances satisfied mom. She asked me repeatedly that last week not to forget them, and to come back soon. I couldn't tell her enough that she would be impossible to forget, and that I would see her again, no matter what, I just don't know when.
Until then I am determined to do everything I can to support them any way I can. I want Mary to go to school, I want to see her graduate despite being an orphan, despite being raped, despite raising a baby on her own. I want to see her fullfill her dream to become a doctor, because she would be the best. I want the same for Nancy, when she knows what she wants to do, I want her to have the opportunity. And I want to help mom fill her house with orphaned women raising "the products of rape" with bravery and love. I can't tell you how much these three women mean to me, and how much they are capable of doing for Kenya and for this world. I met the most genuine, the most loving and the kindest people of my life in Kenya and I am so proud to be included in their family, and that they are my family.
So my friends and family, I want to ask you to help me with this. To help me see these dreams become a reality and answer so many prayers. I am asking for your fiancial support for this cause. It will cost around 14 000 shillings for Mary's first semester at school. That's around $250 Canadian dollars, a fortune to a Kenyan, but really not a lot to any of us. There is no benefit for you, they aren't a charity (yet) so there is no tax form for you. But I can tell you there is no one who would appreciate it more, who would feel more blessed, or who deserves it more.
I am more than happy to tell stories, to share pictures or anything if there is anyone interested in making a donation. Please think about it, a very little goes a very long way in Kenya. Feel free to email or call me for more information.
So that is that, not the end of my Adventures in Kenya, just one chapter. Thank you all for your interest, your emails and supporting me through these experiences. Stay tuned for the next adventure, you never know where I'll end up next!
Love, Allison
allison_wiig@hotmail.com
1-403-388-8661
Previous Entry: Tanzania Part two • 31-Oct-2008
25-Nov-2008
Hello everyone,
Yes I am home, yes it is good, but I must say it's also very sad. I feel I didn't leave you all with a good conclusion to my Kenyan Adventures so here it is!
My last week in Ngong was filled with visits and adventures. Ashley and I were inivited for lunch nearly everyday and were fed well beyond out ability to eat! I'm sure we gained five pounds in chapati alone. But it was wonderful, we felt so special and so loved by everyone we had some to know and love.
As for the adventure...I will warn you (I have recently been yelled at for a lack of warnings) this will ba graphic! To our great excitement on Thursday there was a mom in labour! Grace, an absolutely hilarious woman was in charge of the maternity ward. She is short, chubby and full of mischevious spunk. Upon our arrival at the ward Grace declared Ashley and I would deliver the baby! Ashley wanted to protest, I was all in! Although I admit I didn't really expect Grace to let us do it. This woman was incredible, on her third baby she was a trooper. There was no way she was getting onto that bed until the babys head was between her knees, she walked and walked and walked. She was confined, for good reason, to the delivery room, and asked to pee in a bucket, for fear she would push out more than urine! It wasn't until her water broke all over the floor that she conceeded to get on the bed. Grace had left us at this point, so Ashley put her foot down and forced the poor lady onto the bed. We were both very thankful for our boots at that time as she had burst all over the floor beside the bed. Grace popped back in to check on us and then promptly left! Ashley and I watched the head get closer and closer to us hoping Grace would come back. At one point Ashley sent me to look for Grace but I'd hardly made it to the door before I hear her slightly paniced voice calling me back.Just in time Grace showed up and took up her post at the foot of the bed, gloveless, apronless, bootless. It really was up to us! Ashley and I crammed outselves between the womans legs and yelled instructions back and forth at each other as the baby emerged! Together we pulled the baby out, clamped and cut the cord... success! A screaming boy greeted us! Ashley delivered the placenta while I wiped down and weighed our baby. A very healthy 3.5 kilos, and no tears for mom, thanks to excellent support during the birth! We went out with a bang!
Friday was a sad day, we were presented with framed pictures of Kenyan wild life and thanked for all of our hard work. I had felt badly that we hadn't done more to support the hospital or advance it's programs. But it was made clear to me that our work was more than sufficient and very greatly apreciated. There was tea and tickle fights, laughter and tears as we said our final goodbyes, not only to the wonderful nurses but also to the entire staff! Even Allan the ambulance driver expressed his sadness over our leaving "we have gotten used to you." I will miss them all so much.
Saturday was the last trip into Nairobi and to the Maasai Market. Even there I said farwell to friends, women I had gone back to because they had been kind and fair despite my white skin. Much to Mary's dismay we were home later than we'd planned. I am suprised she even let us out of the gate that morning. We arrived to find Nancy and Elvin waiting for us as well. As mom had promised Nancy had come to see us off.
Sunday the sun shone all day and Kenya showed it's beauty to us. The recent rain had made everything so green and lush. The six of us walked to church, meeting mom there. Much to Ashley and my preference, but not our doing, we were quite late for church! As enthusiastic as they are it can be a bit much for two girls raised so conservatively! At home we had life as usual with cooking and Peter's antics. But there was an underlying sadness that everyone felt but no one spoke of. Mom moved the kitched counter out onto the porch and sooked us a massive pile of chapati "to carry in a paper." Ten hot flat breads in a black plastic bag went into each of our carry ons. I swear the bags add to the flavour!
Part of our Saturday shopping was gifts for her and Nancy. We got each of them a new back pack and filled it with school supplies and little things that reminded us of them. Peter got a toy SUV that the salesman described as "a car for Michelle Obama." He nearly had it broken in the first fifteen minutes. I had taken some things from Canada for Mom but it seemed like such an inadequate gift for a woman who had in three months really become a parent to me and such an important person in my life.
We piled into a very loaded down car that evening. As the bottom scraped against ground repeatedly I had thoughts that I would not in fact be going home that night. To get up the big hill at the end of the road Mom asked the back seat occupants, Mary, Nancy and Ashley to get out and meet us at the top of the hill. Peter and Elvin were left in the car, and Peter joyfully yelled "bye!" As they got out. Mom commented "with Allison here Peter can even say goodbye to Mary." He and I had become very close, my sweet little buddy, despite the occasional faked screams to get his way! WE made it up the hill, barely and were off. The drive was too fast, we arrived at the airport and I couldn't deny any longer that I had to go, that I had to leave my family, that I had to leave Kenya.
I have been on many airplanes and left many people behind. But leaving Kenya was by far my hardest goodbye. I wondered as I stood in line waving through the window why it was easier even to say goodbye to Jesse! I came to realize it was because I always had a return ticket, I always have some idea when I 'll be seeing someone again. Leaving Kenya and now I don't know when I'll see them again, my new family, but I do know without a doubt that I will see them again. I just hope that my assurances satisfied mom. She asked me repeatedly that last week not to forget them, and to come back soon. I couldn't tell her enough that she would be impossible to forget, and that I would see her again, no matter what, I just don't know when.
Until then I am determined to do everything I can to support them any way I can. I want Mary to go to school, I want to see her graduate despite being an orphan, despite being raped, despite raising a baby on her own. I want to see her fullfill her dream to become a doctor, because she would be the best. I want the same for Nancy, when she knows what she wants to do, I want her to have the opportunity. And I want to help mom fill her house with orphaned women raising "the products of rape" with bravery and love. I can't tell you how much these three women mean to me, and how much they are capable of doing for Kenya and for this world. I met the most genuine, the most loving and the kindest people of my life in Kenya and I am so proud to be included in their family, and that they are my family.
So my friends and family, I want to ask you to help me with this. To help me see these dreams become a reality and answer so many prayers. I am asking for your fiancial support for this cause. It will cost around 14 000 shillings for Mary's first semester at school. That's around $250 Canadian dollars, a fortune to a Kenyan, but really not a lot to any of us. There is no benefit for you, they aren't a charity (yet) so there is no tax form for you. But I can tell you there is no one who would appreciate it more, who would feel more blessed, or who deserves it more.
I am more than happy to tell stories, to share pictures or anything if there is anyone interested in making a donation. Please think about it, a very little goes a very long way in Kenya. Feel free to email or call me for more information.
So that is that, not the end of my Adventures in Kenya, just one chapter. Thank you all for your interest, your emails and supporting me through these experiences. Stay tuned for the next adventure, you never know where I'll end up next!
Love, Allison
allison_wiig@hotmail.com
1-403-388-8661
Previous Entry: Tanzania Part two • 31-Oct-2008
