Two of the Malika kids and some friends, including Ruth (seated closest to me.)
July 19, 2010
Today we received a thorough tour of the town of Maai Mahiu from our fearless guide, Charles. We walked the neighborhoods, somewhat overwhelmed and silenced by the amount of trash. It was difficult to understand why so many children were not in school. Yet, also beautiful to receive simple, yet enthusiastic greetings from each and everyone, "How are you? How are you?" We visited Ngea Primary school, one of the poorest in the region, where we spent time in the garden later that week. We caught a glimpse of CTC's gardens throughout the community.
We also toured the CTC headquarters, learning more about each of their primary initiatives. We met the Malika mums, meaning "angel moms." These women are the mothers of the disabled children who go to school at CTC. Disabilities carry a huge stigma in Africa - even more so than other countries. A need rose up organically out of the community to have a place that is safe, an educational environment for the children, and a means of income for the mothers of these children. Currently, only children who can walk, or whose families can deliver them to CTC each day are able to attend school. Finding a way to meet the needs of those who are a few kilometers a way remains a huge priority for CTC. Several times a week, Special Education Professionals travel to Maai Mahiu to train the teachers/caretakers in specialized care. Liz, the group leader for the mums, explained their activities to us. They make L.I.F.E.bags - essentially what you would think of as non-plastic grocery bags - except they're beautiful. Each woman has a role in making each bag, and they rotate everyday. They make them in bulk or for individuals, but all the proceeds go directly to the mums to help support their families.
There are three main classrooms of Malika kids, "angel kids." The first classroom has children who are both non-verbal and do not have full control over their bodies. These are typically the children who have most recently joined CTC. The second classroom has both children who are verbal and children who are not. But it was also an amazing site to have Charles introduce the children to us and realize that they are all able to sit or stand - a feat which they were not able to accomplish a short time ago. The final classroom is full of some of the children whom we might consider "mainstream" in the US. They have more energy and spunk than most kids I've ever met! This group of Malika kids were soooo excited to show off for us. They sang us a few songs, "I wake up in the morning and I wash my face, I brush my teeth, I take a cup of tea, I go to school...", recited some scripture passages, and showed off their math skills on the chalk board. As we introduced ourselves, Charles quizzed the children as to who could remember our names. These children will pop up in the story again later in the week, but to say I was impressed would them would be a dramatic understatement. The main edict of the Malika program is, "Disability is not inability" - a lesson that I gather many of us could stand to be reminded of, no matter where we are.
I had to excuse myself from the room to get some fresh air before too long. The day had been a bit overwhelming, and seeing three classrooms full of children was about all I could handle. Charles came over to me on the bench and took my hand and offered a memorable question that he had heard from one of his systematic theology professors a while back, "Why did God choose to be glorified in children like this?"
Malika Mums dancing & performing on Ubuntu day (Saturday.) Jane, the woman pictured in the front, has a disabled daughter. But she lives at the IDP camp over 5 kilometers away, so she is unable to transport her daily. Jane is still involved as a Malika mum, in hopes that there will soon be a means for her daughter to come to school everyday.
