We very much enjoyed the AV Foundation Carol Concert this week. It was wonderful, too, to see AV's co-founder and recently retired Africa director Nigel Warren who once greeted me at Nairobi airport, as he did so many before me and after, with a firm handshake and the words 'Welcome to Africa!'
Almost eight years on... Tuesday's concert was also a chance to meet more alumni and their families, many of whom continue to work with the communities in which they volunteered, and to catch-up with the AVF trustees who have set aside £5,000 for Elimu and whose support we greatly appreciate.
Below is a beautifully written poem that I was asked to read at the service to cast people's minds back to Kenya and at the same time, bring Kenya to life in London:
nobody can tell.
all gone.
Moving along so swiftly and yet quiet as a mouse
Akinyi and her Mama are already up and out of bed.
There will be many visitors all ready to be fed.
This is how she likes her Christmas, in her neighbourhood.
Almost eight years on... Tuesday's concert was also a chance to meet more alumni and their families, many of whom continue to work with the communities in which they volunteered, and to catch-up with the AVF trustees who have set aside £5,000 for Elimu and whose support we greatly appreciate.
Below is a beautifully written poem that I was asked to read at the service to cast people's minds back to Kenya and at the same time, bring Kenya to life in London:
A Kenyan Christmas
Akinyi sits by the window, watching the short rains fall.
Will the sun come out again? Will Christmas come at all?She had helped her mother planting, the sukuma is
growing well. In the ground is sweet potato, though nobody can tell.
Pitter pat on mabati roofs and so the rain goes on,
But when the sun comes out again: muddy puddles are all gone.
Jacarandas are looking bare, hornbills have flown away.
The hot dry season is coming, bringing Christmas on its way.Would they travel to the village to visit their grandfolks?
With white hair, long stories and often old jokes?As Christmas Day draws closer – Nairobi is very
still. Big buses drive upcountry – not a spare seat to fill.Christmas Mama, Baba and Toto go from house to
house.Moving along so swiftly and yet quiet as a mouse
Till finally Akinyi’s waiting agony is done.
It is Christmas morning and it's time for lots of fun!Akinyi and her Mama are already up and out of bed.
There will be many visitors all ready to be fed.
But first a special breakfast of mandazi and sweet chai.
A few songs and stories about Christmas: Where, How and Why?Akinyi has heard them all before, each time is just as
good.This is how she likes her Christmas, in her neighbourhood.
Author unknown
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