3-21-2012

On our way to Embu there are alot of kids walking home with no shoes on.

Okay, so I'm at the Isaak Walton Inn in Embu. I wish I was back in Nairobi! I'm ashamed of myself for even thinking this way... I was in the shower complaining that there is no water pressure and that I'll never be able to get the shampoo out of my hair...but at least I have running water. I don't have to walk miles to get to clean water AND my water is warm. I was complaining because I'm sharing my hotel room with a lizard... then I realized that I'm only here for 3 nights. There are families who spend their lives in tiny little homes no bigger than my bedroom. At least I have a home to go back to. My home has electricity in every room! and 6 places to get running water from... just in ONE home!
I was complaining that I have a mosquito net hanging from the ceiling above the bed and that my mattress is too hard... but once again... this is only for 3 nights. There are plenty of people who have no bed... or who are sharing a bed with multiple people and their "bed" is made of sticks and cloth. There are some families who can't even afford mosquito nets, but who would really benefit from it because they don't even have a door or window to help keep the bugs out...yet I was complaining that I can't get the window in the bathroom to shut and the door is hard to close. I was complaining about the meat that we have been eating (probably goat meat) because its too fatty. Yet today, while looking at a child's records, I read that the family does not always have food. I brought four pairs of shoes on this trip, but I saw multiple children walking home from school without any shoes today. How spoiled am I?! I was complaining that I couldn't connect to the internet to get in touch with my parents and facebook family and friends, yet while reading a child's record today, I learned that he and his guardian do not even know where his parents are, or if they are even alive. Why do I complain so much when I have so much to be thankful for? I have my health, but I met at least 2 women today who are infected with HIV... one is raising her niece who also has the disease. No one wanted to raise her because she has the disease.
Why do I complain about my job so much? Not only do I have a job but I get PAID when I don't even work. I'm getting paid for days I'm in Kenya but I'm not at work. I have health insurance, dental insurance... yes I may have a copay but I still have my health and my teeth. I saw sooo many people with rotted or missing teeth. I am so selfish. I'm ashamed of how spoiled I am.
-Elizabeth