The Faces of Kenya

Travel changes you. I never believed or experienced that sentiment more than during my recent mission trip to Kenya.

I’m still processing all the ways I have been impacted by my first mission trip.  Traveling halfway around the world and experiencing a way of life so different than my own had a profound impact on me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

While the scenery and wildlife in Kenya were memorable and breathtaking, it was connecting with the people of Kenya that had the greatest impact.

We often didn’t speak the same language, wear the same style of clothes, or delight in the same kinds of food. Even so, we found ways to appreciate our differences and find common ground through love and a shared faith.

I can’t begin to document each of the people I met in Kenya and the lasting impact even the briefest of encounters had on me. But I will attempt to share a few key Faces of Kenya that will forever be imprinted on my heart.

John and Peris Keshe, the Community Leaders

John Keshe, along with his lovely wife Peris, runs the Kenya Community Education & Advocacy organization, which hosted our mission team. This local organization works to ensure Maasai girls receive an education, rather than being subjected to early marriage, which is often the case when funding for school is not available.

John is not only the face of KCEA, he is the hands and feet of this small but mighty organization! He knows each and every girl receiving sponsorship as well as their families and the challenges they face.

His heart and his faith are as big as his work ethic and he works diligently to ensure hope and a future for these young girls.  Through the instruction they receive at their boarding schools as well as the regular empowerment workshops John organizes, these young girls develop and achieve goals. Then they use their accomplishments to improve their communities and support their families.

I had the privilege of meeting several current students as well as recent graduates succeeding at University and in their chosen careers. Behind every one of them was the proud and encouraging face of John Keshe.

She may be soft-spoken and reserved at times, but the strength and solid faith of Peris Keshe surely fuels her husband, as well as KCEA.

Peris also has a huge heart for Maasai girls, often welcoming them into her humble home and cooking up a feast. I was the beneficiary of a few meals Peris prepared and they were some of the best I had in Kenya!

She even made sure there was a special cake to honor the 30th anniversary of our mission trip members, Bill and Millicent, who were delighted and tearful at the thoughtful and extravagant gesture.  Peris assured that EVERY person at the luncheon, numbering around 100, received a bite of that delicious cake!

A cake like this would be fairly common in the United States, but it was easy to tell that this was NOT a common occurrence in Kenya as each person eagerly enjoyed their meager bite with gratitude.

In the United States we often claim that our homes aren’t big enough for entertaining, but that is never the sentiment in Kenya. Especially at the Keshe household!  I couldn’t even count the dozens of girls they hosted who traveled to Ewaso Ngiro (the town where the Keshe’s live) for the 2 day workshop.

For the final dinner of our trip, which was at the Keshe home, I did count the number of dinner guests. Fourteen of us filled every inch of their small living room, with the younger girls sitting on the arms of the couches.  Each of us cradled our plates in our laps with our knees practically touching those sitting on the opposite couch.

It was beautiful and intimate…a perfect reflection of our time in Kenya, made possible by the Keshe’s unparalleled hospitality.

I will forever be thankful that God saw fit to join my local Indiana church, Connection Pointe, with KCEA and the Keshe family so many miles away…which ultimately brought me to Kenya!

Anne, the Student

I met many of the students currently enrolled in secondary school (equivalent to our high schools) who were receiving (or needing) sponsorship through KCEA. My heart was open to finding a young girl I could bless with sponsorship…and it led me to Anne!

Anne just began Form 1 (equivalent to Freshman year) in January with John and Amy’s (read about Amy below) belief and prayers that a sponsor would be found to cover the costs. Anne is thriving at her boarding school and thinks she may want to become a police officer to help protect those in her community. With my own family tree containing several police officers, Anne’s story spoke to me…and I agreed to become her sponsor for the next four years.

When I first met Anne face-to-face, she was extremely shy and soft-spoken, but her gratitude was evident. Her sweet smile told me that I was the one being truly blessed in this new partnership. I’m grateful to have the means and opportunity to support Anne in her dreams to complete school and achieve her goals!

As my time in Kenya continued I had more stolen moments with Anne between presentations and other activities. Her shyness began to diminish and I saw her sweet demeanor shine through as she excitedly introduced me to her sister and let me know I would get to meet her mom the following day at a special luncheon honoring our mission team.

Anne’s mom is beautiful and kind. While we did not speak the same language, her gratitude was evident as she presented me with a necklace she made for me. This was just one of the many occasions in Kenya when I shed joyful tears!

I don’t know when I will return to Kenya to see and hug Anne again. But I look forward to sending letters and watching her flourish from afar as I pray for this sweet girl who will forever be in my heart.

If your heart is being led to support KCEA’s efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at travelingtanyashelburne@gmail.com.  I would love to tell you more!!

Nanyikai, the Cook

I was in awe of Nanyikai’s beauty and bold presence the first time I saw her. I don’t know if she spoke much English and my Maasai is limited to three words. Yet somehow I felt connected to her.

Nanyikai prepared and served several of our lunches and she did so with authority and confidence.

At mealtimes the men would sit inside in chairs along with myself and the other members of our mission team. All the women and girls would eat outside or in a separate area from the men, often times sitting in the grass.  Nanyikai was the only Maasai woman who ate in the room with us, other than invited speakers or honored guests.

She stood at the small table placed before us, the only table in sight, and dished up plates of rice, cabbage, meat, fresh fruit, and chapati for each of us. After everyone was served she would sit by the food table and devour her meal, pausing to fill the plates of any newcomers.

She looked stern at times when she was doling out the food, especially when I tried to suggest that I needed just a small portion. (I was not accustomed to the food, especially the meat, which was rather tough and gristly…and I hated to offend by wasting food!) But when she was talking, laughing, singing, or posing for a picture her genuine smile lit up her whole face!

Her broad stance and infectious smile paired with her elaborate Maasai clothing and colorful jewelry told me she was a woman of authority.

In addition to her gifts of cooking and hospitality, Nanyikai is also a talented jewelry maker. I was enthralled watching her and several other Maasai women skillfully creating their works of art.

Benson, the Journalist

During our lunch break on my first day at the student workshop, I was so happy Benson came over my way to chat.

I was still adapting to life in Kenya and struggling a bit with how to connect with others. Small talk that is typical in the United States just didn’t feel right in this environment. So when Benson approached me to ask questions about what it is like in the United States, I was more than happy to oblige.

Benson is a recent university graduate and works at the local radio station. While he has never left Kenya, he desires to one day move to Texas.

He motioned to the primitive teachers’ housing behind the modest school building and asked if we had anything like this in the United States.

I was thoroughly engaged in my conversation with Benson, yet I struggled to describe my way of life to someone whose living experience differs so much from my own. I felt pangs of guilt as I tried to put into words what life is like in the U.S. and the amount of abundance so many of us have right at our fingertips.

I did my best to describe farms and rural areas in the United States, while also sharing about what my life is like in a suburb. Benson seemed shocked to hear that every house/family on our small plots of land owned cars. And I felt even more glutenous when admitting that actually each PERSON in the family typically has their own vehicle.

Yet at the same time, I spoke of being envious that Kenyans have such a deep sense of community and actively support each other. While there is a degree of that in the States, I have to admit I don’t even know many of my neighbors, much less work alongside them to feed and care for our families.

We also discussed the differences in animals. Benson laughed at the idea of me having a dog as a pet and allowing it inside my house! Dogs are wild animals in Kenya; a far cry from the loved-on pouches we treat like our four-legged children in my country!

Benson is hopeful that he will still be able to have a cow once he moves to Texas, and that insight made me feel he was on the right track with Texas. It is far less likely that you would have a cow as a pet in Indiana…at least not in the suburbs!

I don’t know if Benson will ever become a citizen of The Lone Star State, but I was impressed with his clear communication and passion for exploring beyond the borders of Kenya. I have no doubt Benson will make his mark on this world…and I was grateful for our brief but insightful conversation.

John, the Driver

I learned that John is a fairly common name in Kenya. But our driver, John, definitely stood out!

Getting around in Kenya is not for the faint of heart, and I feel blessed that we had John at the wheel of our jeep throughout our trip.

He navigated the crowded and chaotic streets of Nairobi with skill and patience. I may have held my breath a time or two as we traversed heavy rush-hour traffic amid cars and motorcycles that seemed to consider the rules of the road optional. But I never doubted John’s ability to get us to our desired destination, safe and sound.

John exercised patience as he navigated the long and bumpy dirt roads connecting the villages in Kenya. Given that it was the rainy season and Kenya was blessed with some much-needed rainfall, mud was a critical component John had to factor in.

With the rain and road conditions what they were, it is a miracle that our jeep only got stuck once! The fifteen-minute delay was well worth it for the fun all the men had digging us out…and the joy the women experienced as we stayed in the jeep and photographed the experience!

We were quick to point out that we don’t often get stuck in the mud in Indiana. Instead, it is deep snow that we might have to dig our cars out of…something most Kenyans have never seen.

John even stopped to help another motorist stuck deep in the mud, exemplifying the community support, which is embedded in the culture of Kenya.

I’m not sure how many hours John logged behind the wheel during our trip, but it was A LOT! It takes quite some time to travel out to the remote villages and you can never predict how many herds of cows, goats, donkeys, or other animals might wander into the road and impede your journey.

We had the privilege of spending one day on safari and that is when I learned that John’s skills went well beyond driving. He was also adept at spotting and identifying wild animals!

He expertly maneuvered our jeep to ensure we were in prime spots to photograph the amazing wildlife while still ensuring our safety.

John was calm and soft-spoken much of the time; no trace of road rage to be found.  He did share that he is single, but he hopes marriage is in his future. And I have no doubt he will make some young bride very happy one day!

John Sankok, the Health Clinic CEO

As a Public Health Professional, I was thrilled to visit the health clinic in Ewaso Ngiro. The clinic’s CEO, John, took time to tell us about the current health challenges in Narok County and the many partnerships that help make quality, basic healthcare accessible.

TB, HIV, and Cervical Cancer screening and treatment are high priorities. Many clinical staff must travel into the bush to ensure tribe members follow up on medical care.

Much like in the US, data is key, and John’s staff works hard to collect and report data to the organizations that provide critical funding. Their data tracking methods are effective, although primitive by Western standards…and electronic medical records are a goal John is diligently working towards.

John took us on a tour of the clinic, which has many of the same components of a one-stop-shop community clinic you would find in the United States. There was an outdoor reception area, pharmacy, dental clinic, lab, exam rooms, and a maternity ward.

John introduced us to several members of his very competent and hospitable staff. What the clinic may lack in luxury “extras”, it more than makes up for with a collective passion and commitment to the health and well-being of this impoverished community.

It was an honor to meet John and get a glimpse into the world of health care in rural Kenya!

Amy, the Missionary

Amy doesn’t live in Kenya, but part of her heart sure does!

Amy lives not far from me in Indiana and our lives look somewhat similar as we strive to balance family, work, and faith among the hustle and bustle of the Midwest.

Unlike me, Amy has been to Kenya on mission trips numerous times. And I am so thankful she was the mission trip leader for my first visit to Kenya.

It was a delight to see Amy reconnect with so many of the girls who currently or previously received sponsorship through KCEA. She found common ground with the girls as they gleefully laughed when she attempted to learn words in their tribal language, often butchering the pronunciation. Laughter, with a small dose of self-deprecation, seems to bond adults and teens around the world!

I witnessed Amy’s tears well up as she was reunited with one of the girls whose education she sponsored. Amy beamed with pride as we checked out the successful barber shop the young woman now works at in Ewaso Ngiro.

Amy’s love for the people of Kenya is undeniable and her passion for raising awareness and funds for KCEA is truly admirable. Her passion is also contagious…and has me looking for ways I can continue to help support my new friends in Kenya, regardless of the miles that now separate us.

Thank you Amy, for your heartfelt service and for opening my eyes to both the needs and the beauty in Kenya!

Whether you travel to Kenya or simply visit a neighboring town, I urge you to connect with people as you travel. The impact will be priceless!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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