Day 1 at Nkenijii School

Meeting the kids on Day 1 (Monday, July 14) was like a scene in a movie.

Upon arrival, our vans were greeted by several hundred Maasai kids ranging in age from three to approximately seventeen, most of them wearing purple school sweaters and singing welcome songs.

After a brief assembly, I was introduced to my buddy, Steven, who greeted me warmly and affectionately. It was clear that my arrival had been an event he had been anticipating for some time.

Steven’s multi-step handshake showed me that he wasn’t completely unaware of American culture, but his desire to continue holding my hand afterward reminded me that Maasai ways are unfamiliar to me. 

Maasai boys have some things in common with their American peers (many love sports, for example), but are temperamentally so different. The students’ affectionate natures and genuine warmth were so refreshing. They weren’t at all self conscious about walking around school grounds arm-in-arm or holding hands (including between boys). 

Steven wanted to hold my hand or arm at all times. Unfortunately lots of other kids did too and at times, I had to dissuade him from shooing them away. He seemed to need reassurance that there was enough of me to go around.

My fellow volunteer Jesse and I, were asked to focus on “Recreation.” Fortunately for Steven and the other football lovers, Jesse had skills. While they engaged in a spirited match on the school’s vast fields, my new friends and I played Duck, Duck, Goose and other similar games. 

I also introduced the students to bowling. Yes, bowling.

Before I left for Kenya, my friend Diandra Asbaty, a professional bowler, suggested it and I thought it was a terrific idea. While out shopping for gifts for Steven, I picked up two miniature bowling sets.

The students caught on quickly.