Bridges

This afternoon a group of us walked with the Shimo girls to their village, a slum on the east side of Kitale. Every slum is known for something, and Shimo is known for a fairly potent beverage that many of the men drink. The village was set in a beautiful lush green valley with a river running through the it. Late afternoon rains caused our journey to be a rather muddy adventure. The Shimo girls helped us navigate a steep,treacherous rock stairway leading down to a wooden bridge that crossed the river. While passing we saw young girls and boys collecting muddied drinking water from the stream. We asked our guides about the water and were told that those who can afford clean water buy it in the town, but others must use the water from the river. On the other side of the bridge children lined the stairway and greeted us with shouts of “How are you? How are You?” which is a typical greeting Kenyan children use when they see white people. After greeting the children, we crossed back over the bridge and began walking through the village where, one by one, the girls left us to return home to their babies and extended family. Some walked off to cement block homes, yet many returned to houses made from mud and branches. As our group walked toward the compound, we fell silent each of us recalling the sounds of laughter and friendship we have built with these young women who face life’s challenges with grace and dignity. We have been blessed with the opportunity to build bridges of friendship and hope with these young mothers whom we will not soon forget.

Eileen & Penny