So what have I been up to with HEART?

Here is a "short" overview of my past 76-ish days in Kenya... I wish I could step you through my time... day-by-day... as so much as happened the past two months. But I suppose this is better than nothing! Hope you can grab some coffee or tea and enjoy this glimpse into what has been keeping me so busy. (For daily updates, check out my Twitter @katewinslow ... also in the box on the upper right hand of this page.) I hope to write another blog to you about my transition to the University of Nairobi. I have started medical school, and my classes begin Monday, September 10th!

After arriving on June 20th, I spent a day at the office preparing for the arrival of our 2012 Summer Interns. I also accompanied Nancy, a forensic nurse, to the WEEP Center in Ngong for empowerment education on rape and sexual violence. While we were there, one of the PROPS women, Beatrice, shared for the first time that she was raped as a young girl. The education was powerful and new freedoms were experienced. I also spent a day preparing Edith's house for the arrival of the interns.

Kyndal, the first intern, arrived June 23rd. Together we continued to prepare Edith's home for the other interns' arrivals. We also joined Nancy to visit the Kibera WEEP Center for empowerment education on sexual violence. We also joined the June Bayside team to visit Ngong WEEP and Oldonyonyokie. Other days were spent in the office: I prepared intern projects and schedules as Kyndal organized the WEEP files for the arrival of the new WEEP Coordinator Deborah.

Amanda and Micah arrived July 2nd, and Meghan and Alexis arrived July 3rd. After orientation, our first intern Bible study, and some time for the interns to get to know one another, we all got to work. The interns joined Tammy for weekly Bible Study in the Kibera and Ngong WEEP Centers and joined Bob and Tammy for the Marbroukie Feeding Program after having one-on-one meetings with me. (One-on-one meetings were held once a week to follow-up with each intern individually to gauge how they were physically, emotionally, and spiritually and to check-in on their projects. One-on-one's were typically on Fridays.)

The Roteract Club of Nairobi Central invited the interns and I to a cultural festival called "Jungle Fest" in Olerai. We spent Saturday traveling with the Roteractors to Olerai, where we camped for an evening after learning archery, spear throwing, and dancing with the Maasai. The following morning we went on a hike around Maasai land and played games with the Roteractors then returned home to HEART in Nairobi. It was the perfect way for interns to connect and have fun with other young people from Kenya, who are passionate about serving.

The following week the interns and I spent in the office, preparing projects for our first trip upcountry. Kyndal spent a couple of days at the Ngong WEEP Center, gathering information, but most of us stayed at the compound. After a fun weekend of visiting the Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage, and enjoying lunch at Java House, we packed for our trip upcountry. On Tuesday, July 17th, we traveled to Kisii (Manga). On Wednesday, Amanda led a teaching on HIV and cervical cancer using a poster she created. Micah also worked with local leaders to demonstrated how to build a chicken pen. As a team, we split up and visited 2-3 homes each and assessed the housing status of each of the newly recruited WEEP women.

The following day we spent traveling to Nyakach. (Because HEART works in such remote areas, we typically have to devote an entire day to travel!) On Friday, July 20th, we recruited 32 women in Nyakach as a team. Some of us took portrait photos of each woman; some measured height, weight, and MUAC; and some did individual interviews. It was a long, but rewarding day! Saturday was devoted to teaching: Micah built and demonstrated a chicken pen, and Amanda led in HIV and cervical cancer education.

After lots of hard work and a blast upcountry, the interns and I left from Nyakach to the Maasai Mara. There, we enjoyed a two night safari at Fig Tree, where we spent a day resting and exploring the Mara. We saw all kinds of wildlife including giraffes, elephants, hippos, gazelles, lions, hyenas, and even a cheetah!

The day after we arrived from safari, we quickly got back to work. Lydiah (FFG Coordinator), Amanda, Alexis, and I traveled to Akiba School in Kangemi slum to host FFG teaching and sanitary towel distribution. Our hearts were broken at some of the information we learned of students being pulled out of school (against their will) to be prostitutes or because of early pregnancy. However, we left the students with smiles as the young girls felt empowered. Some even recognized me from a FFG teaching that I led with Katie Bowman (Mission Staff) in 2010.

The rest of the weekdays were spent in the office; each intern focused on preparing and organizing his or her project. Alexis worked on bookmarks and a FFG report. Amanda prepared files for the women who were recruited. Kyndal continued to spend time in the centers gathering information. Meghan researched and put together a sample "goat in uniform." Micah began research on chickens to begin designing the "Raising Chickens" pamphlet.

On Friday, the interns each met with me for one-on-one's and shopped at the Maasai Market. Over the weekend, the interns and I enjoyed a special night out with Vickie, where she took us to dinner at Lord Eroll's. We also enjoyed a unique and filling dinner at Carnivore, one of the top ten restaurants in the world, where we tasted different kinds of meat from chicken to camel to ostrich. We enjoyed a restful Sunday before getting back to the office on Monday.

Tuesday, July 31st, all of the interns (except for Kyndal) and I traveled to Namelok. Kyndal stayed behind in order to spend more time gathering information from the Ngong and Kibera WEEP Centers in order to ensure files were up to date. On Wednesday, Alexis and I led in FFG at a local school while the others toured a nearby health clinic. Once we reunited, Amanda led in HIV and cervical cancer education. We took a break for lunch before we continued with recruitment. As a team, we recruited 25 women! We continued with a Jiko distribution, and Micah demonstrated how to build a chicken pen. After blessing each of the team members with beautiful Maasai jewelry, we said our goodbyes and were driving off while the sun set. It was a whirlwind of a day, but we knew as a team we accomplished much.

The next day, we traveled to Upper Taita, where we met Kyndal and the August Bayside Team. Together we enjoyed a hot cup of spicy chai and the beautiful view of Taita Hills. We were ready and energized for the next day's work! Friday, we helped the team build a house. This house was built a little differently than other houses that HEART has built in Kisii, as they build using blocks of dried mud and cement in Taita. The girl interns and myself, along with a Bayside team member, spent most of our time with the women of the community, fetching water from the local stream. You can imagine the smiles on their faces when a group of "wazungu" wanted to help fetch water... something they have to do every day!

Because the house could only be built six layers at a time, we were unable to finish the house, but we left it in the capable hands of the community. They expected to have it finished within the next few days. The following day, Saturday, August 4th, we hosted a fun day with children from over ten schools in the area. This was Alexis's project, which she coordinated with the August Bayside team. The day, filled with soccer, stickers, bubbles, sac races, net ball, and happy children, was an absolute success. The team and interns returned to Madokas house, where we stayed, sunburned and satisfied.

On Sunday, we split into two groups in order to attend two different churches. Each of the groups enjoyed lunch with the respective pastors after the services. The group I joined was even blessed with gifts from the community consisting of rice, beans, fruits, and even a goat! (We left behind the goat for the pastor to give to a child with the greatest need.) After lunch, we traveled to Lower Taita, where we visited Pastor Lawrence and his wife and prayed over their home and family. It was truly a blessing to be able to return to Pastor Lawrence's home for the third year in a row!

Monday, we all traveled back to Nairobi. Tuesday, the interns and I spent in the office. Together we had our final Bible study. (We met weekly for Bible Study as an intern group; we read through the book Getting It Right by Dr. Mike Fabarez and studied the book of James.) Wednesday, I met with Kyndal, Meghan, and Alexis to discuss their time in Kenya and evaluate their accomplishments and experience before they left that evening.

Because Micah left to travel to Meru with Evans, Program Manager, on Tuesday, and Amanda left for Kisii with her dad's team on Wednesday, I took Thursday off to sleep, rest, and reflect on the internship program thus far. Friday, Micah and I spent in the office before enjoying a restful weekend. The following week, Micah and I spent in the office again, which allowed him to make significant progress on the "Raising Chickens" pamphlet. Amanda returned from upcountry for one day before leaving with her dad's team on safari. During that time, she finished her project, and we met for her evaluation. She returned from safari on Friday, and left for the airport with her dad's team that same evening.

Micah and I enjoyed another restful weekend, as it rained on Saturday. Sunday, we went to Village Market then played cards and soccer on the HEART lawn with one of the lodge guests. Monday and Tuesday, the 20th and 21st of August we spent in the office, continuing projects before we left for a last minute trip to Mombasa on Wednesday.

In Mombasa, we stayed with the family of Delina, Mombasa WEEP Coordinator, and we had a blast. Thursday, they showed Micah and I around Mombasa including Fort Jesus and Old Town. We drank out of fresh coconuts and tried some of the favorite local snacks. Then the children in the family took us for a refreshing swim in the Indian Ocean. Friday, we spent all day repainting the Mombasa WEEP Center with the help of Ezekiel (Delina's son) and Cleophus (a professional painter). We absolutely loved our time, and Micah and I even discussed how we felt like we were visiting our own family.

After traveling back to work on Saturday, we enjoyed a restful Sunday, where Micah explored Triangle Market, and I attended a friend's nephew's second birthday party. The following week was spent in the office in Nairobi, continuing and finishing projects. Because I was accepted to the University of Nairobi School of Medicine, I spent a few days running errands for school and trying to find a place to live.

Friday, August 31st, Micah and I went with a couple of friends to the Kenyatta National Hospital Children's Cancer Ward, where we spent the morning playing games with the children. We then enjoyed lunch at Java House, went to Yaya Centre, and looked at housing near the University of Nairobi Chiromo Campus.

Saturday and Sunday we spent resting at the HEART Lodge. On Monday, Micah accompanied me to register for my classes, giving him a glimpse into university culture in Kenya. Tuesday we spent a small amount of time at the office: Micah finalized his project while I worked on the HEART website and organized intern files and completed Micah's evaluation. The rest of the day, we spent getting my student ID and paint balling. (Boy, was that an adventure!) Wednesday, September 5th, I will attend an American Women's Association Tea with Tammy in the morning while Micah packs. Micah and I will meet and discuss his internship with HEART in Kenya, and he leaves that evening.

Because I start school in Nairobi on the 10th, my time devoted to HEART was cut short, and the 5th of September will also be my last day as mission staff for HEART in 2012.

It was a blessing and a joy to serve with HEART another year, and I am honored by the amount of leadership entrusted to me. I will continue to pray (and ask that you join me in prayer) for HEART's growth and the people of Kenya. I look forward to being able to visit HEART when I have free time in Nairobi!

God is good.