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If I was Kenyan and I was being formally introduced to you I would shake yiour hand and say ” I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and extend my greetings” they are very gracious and friendly.   Today was the last day at Gede special needs school. I spent the morning with some of the teachers showing them how to use some of the communication systems I brought. For  some of the children. It was amazing to watch how quickly the children caught on. These are children who have good cognitive ability but do not have the physical ability to   communicate.

Then a special lunch was prepared for us and the teachers, house mothers, cooks, administators and the “school committee” all attended. The school committee coinsists of one parent from each class to represent the school. After we ate the “master of ceremonies” ( every event has a program and a master of ceremonies) lol began the program. Everyone introduced themselves and then the school committee chair, the director of Kupenda, each member of the board of Kupenda, the representative from the government, and the principal of Gede special needs school each gave a speech.

Each of them formally thanked us for coming to help these last 2 weeks. The chairwoman who has a son who has no fingers but is very bright said” when my son was born I thought no one woud love him except me, because of the Gede school my child has hope that He will have a good life” They asked us to please tell our friends that they loved them and not to forget about them. This took about. 2 hours. .

The kenyan people LOVE the formal ceremony. They also sang a song for us and a talented me mber of our team playedcthe guitar and sang a song. . Then we went to see the children and we gave each child a little bottle of coca cola or fanta. The kids just loved it and wanted their picture taken with them drinking their soda.  We said our goodgyes to the children and teachers. Lots of tears, hugs and more pictures.

Something the principal, Madame Karo, said at the goodbye luncheon summed up my feelings exactly–she said ” and Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, is that which you do unto me. ” Kwaheri everyone! ( Good night)

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