It's just one of those days...

When everything around you seems to be falling into place.

I'm not going to try and pretend that there are days, weeks even, that I wonder to myself what am I doing here? Is my time here truly beneficial to the school. But there are days, weeks even, where I don't doubt my decision to come for this duration of time. These past few weeks have been a perfect balance between work and a bit of play and it all started with our first fundraiser at Dass Ethiopian which was a huge success. Yesterday i was able to attend the 1st of 8 poetry workshops with Imani that the money from the fundraiser went towards and the girls had an incredible time. It was really great for them to get outside of Kibera and see what else is out there in the world, what are other possibilities for them besides the limited world they see everyday. For two hours Imani took them through a series of writing prompts and set the tone for the next 7 sessions. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend anymore of the sessions due to travel plans but it will be fun to come back and see the growth that has happened. Luckily I'll be back in time to see the final performance in Nairobi and can support them there.

In addition to organizing the workshops with Imani, that grant that I've been working on is finally finished! We are applying for additional funding from a current partner that would allow us to get our first government qualified teacher at the school which would help provide more structure and experience into KGSA which in turn would drastically benefit the girls' educational opportunities. We also are putting in a request for funding that would be allow Richard Teka - our current head master, to go to accounting school (his dream) as he wants to manage the micro credit program at KGSA. Tomorrow afternoon, Abdul, Teka and I have a meeting with the Directors from Stichting 4 Life where we'll discuss the grant and gauge their interest. Keep us in your thoughts!!

Also, the 2nd issue of Shedders is coming along great and is almost finished. The girls have done, yet again, an incredible job with their articles and finding new and exciting things for you all to read about so keep your eyes out for the next issue! I can't begin to describe how amazing it has been to work this close for 7 months with the Journalism girls. I've really been able to develop great relationships with them as they've felt safe enough to share their lives with me and in return I open up more to them. They definitely have made a space in my heart...

But now, it's off to India and Nepal for a while. It's been a bit stressful planning this one from a far as the train systems in India are insane to understand but it looks like Anni and I will spend 5 days in udaipur, then a week in Kashmir, down to Delhi for a few days, over to Varanasi for 4 days, then fly into Kathmandu and hike through the Himalayas. We're both super excited about it, and it will be great to see Anni again for such a long time. The distance is wearing on us both a bit but it's reassuring to know that we are in the home stretch of this all.

I'll try and do some blogging along the way in India and stay in touch but I'll be back in Nairobi on the 1st of June and I'm sure I'll blast out a blog right away when I get back. I hope this reaches you all well, much love and blessings...

-Ryan