Our Time at the Gede Special School

We were deeply touched by the 5 days we spent at The Gede Special School. The conditions in which the children live is like nothing any of us have ever experienced and would not be tolerated in America. But they live with joy, happiness and a genuine spirit. We each would like to share a bit about how we were touched.

All of us at the end of the final day.

Allison's Reflections:

My time at the Gede Special School was filled with a mix of emotion. When we left the first day I was angry. I could not pinpoint my anger, but knew it was directed at the unfairness that exists in our world. It was sad to see the conditions in which these children live. I soon realized that the children at the school were getting a great education and being cared for by staff who genuinely loved the. The compassion and joy the students showed soon won me over and I soon connected. I particularly bonded with 2 little boys, maybe 6 and 7 years-old (Pajama Boy and Blue-Eyes) . Blue-eyes was ornery and stood out as the trouble maker in the bunch. He and I bonded over bubbles and learning to share. Pajama boy was gentel and kind, he too liked bubbles and was very good at sharing them. Both boys were very active, we spent the afternoon doing somersaults, cartwheels, wheelbarrow races and building hats out of boxes. It is pure joy to have a 7-year-old run and jump into your arms.

Additionally I had the pleasure of getting to know Benjamin, he is physically handicap but very smart. He is progressing through school right on track. From him I learned patience. You can see he has shortened limbs and does not grow like others his age. Tasks suck as walking and eating are a challenge. But he does them all with a smile and jump in his step. To watch his concentration and patience while coloring and blowing bubbles made me step back and take a deep breath. There is no reason we cannot stop and smell the roses, or enjoy the bubbles of life, every once and a while. My time at Gede Special School, and the lessons learned there, were life changing and something I will never lose sight of.

Me and my 2 boys learning their colors while coloring

Benjamin, Blue-Eyes and I blowing bubbles

Building hats out of boxes with Blue-Eyes

More bubbles with the CP kids

Rachel's Thoughts:

In planning our trip to Africa being able to go to Kupenda was one of my main highlights. I was very excited and anxious to meet the kids and see the school, but when we first entered the school and we were swarmed by smiling students just wanting to shake our hands, I instantly felt at ease and at "home." I have taken a couple years of sign-language and with most/half of the schools population being deaf I was hoping my sign-language skills would come back. They did!! Well mostly... however, American signs and African signs are different but it was easy for me to learn new signs and chat with the students. Most of my time was spend talking with students, learning their "patty-cake" games, hopscotch games, reading with a few students (mostly hearing them read to me), learning how to make pin-wheels, and lots of coloring!! It was really neat for the children to share with me the games they play and I had a blast trying to learn them. I would have to say their "patty cake" game is very hard to remember and I never really got it, but I did get the hopscotch and pin-wheels (you have to run with the pin-wheels to make them work- they are made from palm branches and a stick).

I was constantly reminded of the joy that children possess no matter where they live or their life situations. When I was at Kupenda it reassured me that becoming a teacher is the right calling for my life and being with these students helped to confirm my desire to keep working with children. America or Africa... in the end kids are all the same! They need structure, conversation, laughter, and lots of love!

Trying to learn "patty cake" but not succeeding so laughing instead!

Hop-scotch MASTER!

Relaxing after cartwheels and swinging kids around

Pinwheels!

Chance's thoughts:

"Futbol" is like the common language at Kupenda. All the kids would come running when we arrived ready to play. Kupenda is on the same site as the Gede Primary School. When we played, it was ALL kids ... deaf, hearing, and handicapped! Jon and I started a game each morning. They would play all day if their teachers would let them. I had to play barefoot! Dirt field and rocks slowed me down only the first day. The big boys were very strong and competitive. Everytime we played the same boy was the goalie! His clothes came off as soon as hit the dirt and he played in his boxers. On our last day at the school, Richard helped me talk with Nico in Swahili. Nico is an older boy who had not interacted with us all week other than to say Jambo and shake our hand. He said he wanted to play futbol. He and I took a ball to the little field and played lots of futbol! Nico scored a goal!! I think I missed out on not knowing Nico sooner.

Playing barefoot!

Jon playing soccer ~ barefooted!

Jon and I with Kupenda kids

Playtime with the little ones

Nico scores a goal!

Becki's reflections:

It was a most wonderful week at Kupenda. The kids there are survivors and have amazing stories. I think my world is rough somedays but nothing compares to what these children have endured. They are full of joy, love unconditionally, and are eager to have you be a part of their lives. I was able to connect with children I met three years ago. Rasheed smiled when he heard Ellie said Hi from the US! Nurma, the little girl in the yellow dress with only one leg, who I played dolls with, now has an artificial leg and is walking instead of hopping. I got a big hug from her.

My week was highlighted by Allison, Rachel and Chance! Everyday I saw God working through them to touch the lives of these children and allow these children to touch them.

• Chance, speaking Swahili, engaged Nico in a simple game of Futbol. As they played, the headmaster came out to watch. She was laughing! She shared that this was the first time Nico had played futbol. She couldn't believe that he was talking to Chance and playing with him. Nico and Chance were laughing! They were guys just hanging out together.
• Allison was a magnet for "blue eyes"! He waited for her to arrive and then he sent Kupenda spinning. Besides begin deaf, it appeared he had little formal education and other disabilities. By the end of the week, he was engaged not only with Allison, but with other kids. He was sharing! He was laughing! He wasn't hitting or biting. The deputy teacher called him a trouble-maker, another teacher said he just needed love, and of course Allison took him in her arms and loved him unconditionally!
• Rachel's laughter spread through the school. She was like the Piped Piper... kids following her everywhere just to see her smile. Her ability to organize a classroom became apparent no matter where she was or what she was doing. She was the "Queen" of play. Everyone wanted to play with Rachel. Her energy carried over to all the kids.

God is good!