The California (Africa!) Initiative: Winding down :(

One of my Form 3's woke up from a little snooze on his desk after finishing an exam early, got my attention, and said (in Signed Exact English so there was no mistaking it) "I will never forget you." Ugh. Way to tug at my heart strings, Emmanuel.

When I first got to school here and for the first few months of teaching these kids I was in what some might call the "honeymoon phase." I was so entranced by my kids' kindness and respect for everyone (even people who seemed not to deserve it, in my eyes), and their general unfailing happiness, that I wasn't really able to look past it and see their human sides. I've had just about two years with them now and I've gotten over the honeymoon phase, because I've spent SO much time with them and therefore know them SO well. Knowing them this well has made it feel like that stage after the honeymoon, when you really get down to business. All of those things from the beginning still ring true to this day, but I've had a chance to see them more clearly as people, instead of just part of these exotic two years in Africa. They've made me way too angry at points, but they have also been the ones who have cheered me up when I've felt like all I wanted to do is gauge someone's eye out. So in a sense it's like I love them even more now. Though it's hard to explain how I feel about my kids here, because it seems like more than just love. It's sort of a dependence/friendship type thing too. And the more I try to explain it, the cheesier it sounds. Humph.

That being said, school is closing now, because we don't really have enough food for the kids to stay any longer. After a lot of excitement and drama last week that I really shouldn't write about on the internet (ask me if you don't already know and want to) the kids finally started their exams and just finished yesterday. That means starting now-ish I'm all alone again, and have to rely solely on my social life to keep me busy. Closing school is always a small relief, but more of a let-down for me, because I miss those darn kids so much. Fortunately though, it seems like there will be a lot of visitors this August, which is good, because it will keep things moving in Kilifi.

This month into the middle of August is also Ramadhan, which means my Muslim kids are fasting. The ratio of Muslims to Christians at school is about 60/40, and during Ramadhan the Muslims can't eat while the sun is up. This makes it really tough for them to take exams, because their stomachs are rumbling at them all day long. Poor kids. And since they're not allowed to eat with the rest of the school, they cook their own food for after dark, which I got to taste some of on Saturday for movie night. It was actually pretty delicious. Still not sure if it's worth not eating all day, but it's their choice, right? Mom always said I was a good eater, anyways. I'm not too keen on the fasting.

Anywho, time here IS winding down, whether I like it or not. We've been getting emails from Nairobi about our Close Of Service conference and doctors appointments and all this other crap we have to do before finishing Peace Corps. I can't believe it's almost over. My life in Kilifi has become so much more than just the "Peace Corps" part. It's become my life in so many wonderful ways, and the thought of having to say goodbye to everyone here is not something I like. I'll be back to Kilifi next fall at the very latest for a wedding and a lot of catch up with my friends here, so saying goodbye to them won't be so bad. Saying goodbye to my kids, however, will probably be the hardest thing I've ever done. When I left for Peace Corps, and said "see you in a few years!" to friends and family stateside, it obviously wasn't easy. But I knew I'd see all those people again. My kids however, are not as easy to contact, or get in touch with, since most of them don't have phones or parents that know English, or email accounts or skype. Some of them do have phones though, and I'll definitely be trying to find them as soon as I get back.

Another thing about these kids is that working with them has made me truly fall in love with the Deaf community and Deaf culture. When I'm not using my hands to talk, something feels out of place and not right. So maybe when I get back stateside I'll try to do something similar there. I've been so immersed in Kenyan Deaf culture, however, that I feel like I really don't know much at all about American Deaf culture. Although some other deaf Peace Corps Volunteers have told me there are some parallels between the two so maybe I know a little more than I think.

Whatever the case may be about Deaf cultures in different countries, and whether or not I have/will fit in to any of them, it still remains that I have no idea what I want to do when I get home. Probably get right back on the plane and come back to Kilifi. Ugh.

Well here's some shots from the end of the term. Feel free to check out the good 'ol FB as well.

Can you tell how much I like grading tests? It's not much...