African Orphan

Visiting day

I must say I used to dread this day. The thing about *visiting day is that it just screams family and since I had none, I honestly had nothing to look forward to... Right? 

That Saturday found me alone in the TV room. I was watching a movie that had some kids and a talking dog, as I tried to finish the last piece of sausage on my plate (the cooks made a special meal for the students who would not be visited... Honestly we were not many so the food was taystee!)

As I was finishing off my ka sausage my class mate ran in and grabbed my hand. I knew I would find you here. Come! My mom is asking for you. Honestly she didn't give me a chance to respond. I found myself being dragged across the school field before finally making a stop in front of a beautiful smiling woman.

Someone pulled out a seat for me and the smiling woman handed me a plate heaped with food. Her, her husband, her sister in law and their children all wanted to know how I was. How are you coping with school life? Are you full? Do you need more soda? We loved the drama performance you put out. Were you nervous before you got on stage that day? How's your grandmother? Is she responding well to her dawas? Are you enjoying the food? What would you like to be when you grow up? You look like a lawyer... My oh my, It was great!

I felt wonderful! Here was this amazing family who the only thing I had in common was that I shared a classroom with their child. They took me as one of their own, on the most dreaded day of school (as I thought) and made it so fun and full of joy.

I was with them for a solid 45 minutes before another classmate came and asked for me to be excused as his family wanted to spend time with me too.

You should have seen my face. Seriously, you should have seen me.

That basically went on the entire afternoon. By the time I got to the dorm I had stomach cramps (from all the food I had eaten) my arms were exhausted from carrying what I had been gifted, but the greatest of them all was the feeling I had in my heart.

A small gesture goes a long way. I'm thankful to all those families that made me feel at home that day because here I am, ten years later and I still remember (with a big smile on my face)

Kindness. What a simple way to tell a struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world. 

*visiting day - In most boarding schools in Kenya, parents (relatives and family friends as well) are allowed to visit their children once every month in school ( Primary and high school). The day is selected by the school administration and is usually mostly on the last/first Saturday of every month. On the day, parents show up from about noon with lots of food, drinks and snacks for their children and they leave at 4 pm after spending time with their children.