Taka Taka Flowers

Taka Taka  = Trash, garbage



Not every one (especially here in Kenya) understands how it feels to see all this trash and litter wherever one goes.

To me it feels like torture.... It's an abuse to nature.
In places like this (<-) I feel hurt as if it was me, who was treated like a dustbin. 
Sadness... Anger... Desperation.

In moments like this I start thinking: 

Imagine all the waste were flowers.

The earth would look stunning.

The world needs TRUE COLOURS instead of ignorance!

Massai's c (h) o o l

Sabaki, the estate where I lived the past six months, is in the middle of nowhere.

I thought.

Until I went to the Masai school at the very, very far end of Sabaki,

down the hill, at the edge of the world!

Welcome to massive Masai land.

The first time we went to the school Lisa and the others were the first whites the kids had ever seen.
They couldn't stop touching the "Mzungus" 

When people picture Kenya or even Africa they often think of a land populated by tall, thin, Masai's.

Half the body covered by a red Kikoi (cloth), heavy, colorful neklaces and large earrings, with a stick in their hand.

Yeah. Here are Masai people. Yes, most of them live in hats built of cow dung. And many of them never had a bigger job than looking after cows, sheep and land.

BUT always remember: Kenya has over 42 different tribes.

The Masai with less than 2% of the population can't represent a whole country or continent.

Can you see the whole universe in her eyes...?

The Masai school is therefore interesting as many of the Masai children don't go to school or have trouble completing school. The majority of families are nomads, which makes it hard visiting schools..

Besides many of them don't value education as high as most kenyans do.

 However, even if many Masai's don't go to school they often are rich people.
Not rich with money directly.
With land and cows.
They kinda sit on their money.

 Anyway who needs money if you're living far off the civilization most of your life?

You better trade your daughter for 2 cows and 7 sheep than for cash...

It's true. Masai's are also known for their culture of "trading" women - or let's say girls - to elder fellows...
Cruel... A friend of mine is a 17-year old Masai. Her parents payed her off to a 60-something guy when she was 14. He didn't only made her give birth to two children, but mistreated and abused her.

When her parents realized how she was treated they took her back home.

The Masai school... After the third time visiting it it almost became boring. However it was the best decision to go there. In the end I know I've learned to realize and value something I never clearly thought of.
Kenyas 42 tribes are all so different and unique. Most of them have a different cultural understanding, rituals, cuisine. It is a-s-t-o-n-i-s-h-i-n-g that one country can be so mixed up and still work!
How much respect and at least tolerance do the tribes show each other? Usually they can live next to each other, in peace with each other. (Of course they're are also negative examples eg. post election violence '07/'08).

Anyway it makes me proud to belong to a country with various traditions and shadings! 

This is a challenge, which shouldn't be underestimated by anyone. It is work to combine all interests and cultures, but it's possible.

Even if there are problems... Are this problems many of us in the world will never know and least of all understand. Unfortunately.

Champions of Courage

JIA Courage house!

It's the partner home to "Heritage of Faith and Hope".

A rehabilitation centre for 24 street boys.

They are aged between 10 and 20 years.

Most of them have a very heavy and depressing background.

The way they were living in the streets at such a young age, consuming all kinds of drugs, using guns for mugging people etc. shocks me every single time I meet them.

You wouldn't believe how they changed.

They're some of the most gentle young men I know!

Visit no. I

This boys LOVE to dance! There's no occasion one doesn't start shaking everything he got!

That's the after-school-dance :-P

Lilly the sick and dirty cat got washed...

Joseph carved a cooking stick out of a peace of wood.

The pot-hitting game!

Lisa and me decided to stay in Courage house for a couple of days to get to know another environment and people. A great experience!

The differencies compared to Heritage are so big! Spending time with a small number of (only!) boys is so relaxing. We had the chance to get to know them and so did they!

Us girls prepared a lot of games to play! And they enjoyed it sooo much!

Twister! The best game ever!!!

Do you know this amazing game?

It's a fun guarantee!
The player has to catch the apple in the water without using hands.

Afterwards he has to find the sweet in the flour :D

Catching the biscuit from the partners head

Mathe/Christine the cook and the good soul to Courage! She's a lovable woman!
And the best mother replacement the boys could have.

The first time I came to visit Courage house like 6 months ago, I got a vision.

After having a long talk with George the manager an idea got stuck into my head.

George, a man of so much passion and energy, told me the different stories of the boys.

He concluded with the question: "But what about the girls, Imani? You know this streetboys have sisters! What about them? No one takes care of them. They are left in the streets, desperate, crying."

Since that day a process started.

His words keep on following me and made me taking this issue serious.

My vision therefore is to start a home for street girls and for those, who are affected by female genital mutilation.

I don't want the girls to get pushed into prostitution, early marriages and drug addiction.

My family supports me fully and takes my plans serious.

Thanks to mother I already have a potential plot.

After I'll be finished with my studies like in five years I want to start building.

To me there is no hurry. The important thing is to set my own life first and do it p-r-o-p-e-r-l-y.

The plan is developing and I believe I'll make it great!

 Courage session no. 1 was awesome and touching! We promised to come back as soon as possible.

Visit no. 2

We came back!

And we cooooooked!!!!

Spaghetti Bolognaise <3

Hahaha with "EL KING" Spaghettis!
Of course they had to be marvellous! ;D

Candy, Lilly and Malaika chilling next to the jiko

We played the game of dressing!
Two teams had to choose one person, who they had to put on as many clothes as possible in two minutes time.
The one with most laces won.

 Pink Floyd *____* I wish he'd know how awesome they were!!!

Napendaaa Chapos!!! (I love chapatis)
Really, when it comes to chapos I'm corrupt.
You want something from me?
Just bribe with chapatis ;)

Waking up in the morning.
First view out of the window. What's up there?
Pigleeets <3 cuuuties! One day I'll have a pet-pig.
And a donkey. If possible also a monkey.
Uhh and a cow!!!
Whaaa and a slauth!

Have you ever met someone, who can bake cake without an oven?
I have!

Makau!!!! Surprisingly he's the best male cake baker I've met so far.

The oven is a huge sufuria, filled with soil on the jiko (fireplace).

The baking tin is kept inside this construction.

The sufuria gets covered and charcoal is put on top.

After like an hour the cake is ready and at least as good as made in the oven.

We've been baking cake every single day we're in Courage, just because it's such a cool procedure!

After three days of staying it was time to leave again... However we promised to the boys to come back again, since we also had some undone business for our website.

Visit no. 3

Last weekend a seminar for the courage boys was taking part.

Four medicine students from Hong Kong came for an interactive workshop.

It was referring to the topics sexuality and drugs.

They explained a lot of important things about puberty, HIV/Aids, drug abuse- and addiction.

The best part was that the boys were able to ask anonymous questions about all this topics.

It was so informative and als a lot of fun.

"Let's go to the supermarket in the break. Buy some ingridients for cake!!!"

Our way through the bush/"valley" to Mlolongo.
The closest city.

 Seminar Part 2! About relationships and emotions.

We love the Courage boys and the way they show courage when guys start giving comments about us Mzungus (Whites) on the streets.

Also how they always want to make sure we get enough food and home safely.

Thank you bro's!
I can't wait to see their progress next time I come to Kenya... :)

The next generation of gentlemen is in the make!