Food

What did you eat there? A very common question :)  Along with lots of fresh fruit here are some examples:

The first picture below is what we ate nine times out of ten. Lentils, rice, vegetables and chapati (which is a flatbread similar to naan).  Since it is vegetarian, I was happy even if we ate it every day! 

 I do not consider myself an extremely adventurous eater but I did try some new things. One of them was Ethiopian food (2nd picture). You eat with  your hands, tearing off pieces of the thin bread to pick up deliciousness like kale, lentils, and other vegetables. 

The last picture shows a traditional African food called ugali.  It is by far the FAVORITE food of any Kenyan I talked with, so of course I had to try it. And, well.... that's  about all there is to say. It is basically cornmeal mush that takes on the flavor of anything it is eaten with... not the tastiest thing I've had (and I even like bland food!) but I can understand how it is a "comfort food" like mashed potatoes here in the United States.

Lentils, rice, vegetables and chipolte

Ethiopian Food- Yum!!


Ugali and Kale

Team Next Generation Yoga for Africa Yoga Project

Most of the time when I told people that I was embarking on this journey without knowing a single person I was going with, I received a few perplexed looks. What?? I was going half-way around the world with people from all over the United States, who I had never met?? Well, yes. The neat part is that even though I hadn't met any of them in person (except for a chance meeting of Bonnie at an event in Chicago)  I felt like I knew them all. Yes, we did monthly conference calls and there were lots of e-mails, but it was a deeper knowing. Really, the true meaning of Namaste! I loved the mix of people we have in our group, different backgrounds and experiences but all in Kenya for the same purpose. Together we are one.... for the rest of our lives!

Our amazing team!

Mercy Care School

The first place we visited, Mercy Care Center, is in one of the oldest slums in Nairobi. The children here opened their hearts immediately and the all-group yoga session unforgettable (first picture below). When we arrived the children were all inside their school buildings and we were invited in to meet them. As we walked from classroom to classroom, which were pretty dark and crowded, the students could not have been more polite or welcoming. I was struck with how attentive the students were as the teacher stood up at the blackboard writing things for them to copy. Education seems to be valued in a different way than in the United States, maybe because it is a privilege to be in school. However, I also learned that teachers are still allowed to cain students for misbehaving, so that as likely a factor also. As a teacher myself, it was really difficult to see their school conditions and teaching methods, but I need to remember that they are doing the best they can with what they have.  Yes, I was comparing here, when really I need to remember that maybe they wouldn't want it to be different. If there is one thing I have learned on this journey it is not to make assumptions, rather having conversations is much more important. Instead of me "deciding" what they need to improve their schools it is much more respectful to ask them if they need anything or how I could help.

 I was glad to discover we would be returning the next day for some service work. They requested help with building, sanding, and varnishing new desks for the classrooms. We had quite the assembly line going and a BIG audience of small children who were wandering around. They were delighted when we let them use some of our tools to "help." However, the local people thought we were crazy to do this and told us we should be shooing the them away! The children had fun with it until they found the real bucket of varnish and then the extra "help" had to end.

Yoga at Mercy Care

Yoga Art on the School

Beautiful children I met in one of the classrooms!

Next to the School

Samson, the awesome coordinator for all of our building and painting!

We had quite an audience so we let them "pretend" to paint some varnish and do some sanding.

Finished Desks for the Classrooms!

Comparing or Connecting

Before traveling to Kenya I set the intention to experience life as they live it.... not compared to how I live here in the United States  I've posted the comic below on FB a couple of times because I think it speaks to this point- we can find positive or negative in ALL situations.. As a team we had many conversations about comparing and how it actually separates us rather than build connections and friendship. I realized how often I do this in my everyday life here in the US. Comparing has been a struggle for me for many years, it has never felt good and at times it seems like is a never-ending battle. However, considering it from this new perspective of what I am potentially losing by comparing myself to others -meaningful relationships, shared laughter, support and inspiration-  it makes comparing any aspect of life a little less habitual.  When I notice myself falling into the comparison trap instead of becoming frustrated and even more annoyed with myself I am able to pause (even if it is very briefly) and remind myself what I DO want in my life.  Comparison separates, connection unites. Together we are one.

School at the Masai Village

Masai children used to attend school under a tree near their village. However, Africa Yoga Project supports communities where they provide outreach in ways beyond teaching yoga. They are in the process of building toilet facilities for an orphanage and have built four schools so far. One of these schools is at the Masai village we visited.  It was midday when we arrived so the children were in school (elementary school aged in the US) yet as we walked towards the school they were all standing outside waiting to greet us. After meeting one of their teachers they welcomed us by signing songs they learned in school.  My favorite was "head, shoulders, knees and toes." It will be fun to show students that I teach a connection they have with Kenyan children across the globe.

Children welcoming us with songs

After they finished singing we all practiced yoga together and we gave them some of the books and supplies that we brought.

Children waiting for us outside their school. 

Beautiful Children

More Beautiful Children

Our fabulous leader, Jodi Komitor leading yoga!

Yoga

Namaste

Masaii Village

Visiting the Masaii Village was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The Masai live a semi-nomadic lifestyle  on the land of Kenya and Tanzania. Immediately, we were welcomed into their village, where they gave us a tour and shared about their traditional lifestyle.  This is so intriguing to me and honestly very appealing (without the polygamy and lots of meat-eating, just personal preferences). I love the sense of community that could be felt in the village and how everyone works together for their common good (and survival).  The women in the village started beading as a way to generate additional income. It was fun to wear their beautiful creations and prompt the comment of "Masai??" from many people back in Nairobi.  

The Welcoming Dance - Our greeting and blessing

Masai Village

Huts are made from mud and elephant dung and then baked in the sun. Oh, and they are made by the WOMEN!

These trees/branches surround the outside of the village to keep elephants and lions away.

Masaii Children

Shopping for some hand-made beaded jewelry. 

MAKING FIRE USING A STICK AND SOME DRY DUNG

turn...turn...turn...super fast

begin to blow and then turn some more...

smoke....

and fire! 

The Son of the Medicine Man (who will become the next Medicine Man) sharing some of their plant remedies for illness and other needs.

Arrival in Kenya

This is one moment that will stay with me "for the rest of my life."  After two eight-hour plane rides I was thrilled to finally be on the ground in Kenya. Still unsure of what to expect as I walked through the 70's style airport, I was relieved to see my luggage come around the conveyor belt. A little bit of familiarity when everything else around me was entirely new. To be honest, I was most excited that the suitcase full of children's books arrived as those were a far more important delivery than my bag full of clothes. After getting my Visa and moving through customs there was a scan of all the people waiting for their visitors. So many signs with greetings and faces full of anticipation.  I started getting even more excited and then remembered I had no idea who I was looking for in the crowd. Then on the far end of the aisle we spotted the Africa Yoga Project signs and the beaming faces behind them. 

And then the unforgettable moment... their embrace. A welcome that was unlike any I have ever experienced. Complete gratitude and love felt in their hugs and smiles. My cautious, Mid-Western American brain started clicking in, "what are they doing, they have no idea who I am?? What if...." However, I let those thoughts quickly fade as they showed me how little it mattered. I was home, with family, even though we were meeting for the first time. 

Our Rafikis (friend in Swahili), James, Patrick, Sophia and Irene. They were the most incredible hosts while we were there and also a complete inspiration with the work they are doing through the Africa Yoga Project.

Dreams Come True!

Wow..... it's here!! Tomorrow morning I board the plane for Nairobi, Kenya. I have no idea what to expect.  My intentions are set and expectations put aside, trusting that this is SO meant to be.... and it is.  I'm learning to trust my heart even more every day and that when things feel right intuitively, to go for it and do it big!

When I first read about our leader, Jodi Komitor's vision to bring Next Generation Yoga (NGY) to Kenya, I knew I was supposed to be a part of it. I've know since I was a little girl that I would be doing work in some part of Africa one day, I just didn't know when or where.  By August of last year I was on board Team NGY, not really sure how everything necessary would happen in 9 short months, but never doubting it would all work out.

So, my bags are packed and because of a generous grant from Thrivent Financial one of my two suitcases is completely filled with new children's picture books to donate. Anyone that knows me would not be surprised that one of my suitcases is filled with books! I mean, how else does one travel? I have to say I am quite impressed with my packing as it is typically not an area of strength for me! Of course the detailed list that the Africa Yoga Project provided did help quite a bit. Oh, and there was the part that I started packing so many days early to make sure everything would fit that I had to unpack and repack because I forgot what I already put in my suitcase.

A lot of people have been asking me how I feel now that this dream is so close to finally happening, and while it has been a week of freaking out, feeling excited, then anxious, tonight I feel  I surprisingly calm. The overwhelming feeling that I have right now is one of gratitude. So, so many friends and family, the Sioux Falls yoga community, people I've never met, and one amazing God are the reason that this is happening. . I'm guessing that if you are reading this then you are one of these people. So thank you, thank you, thank you for helping one of my greatest dreams come true! You are a blessing - exactly what I hope to be for all those I meet on my journey..