Veronica Gets a Benefactor

Judy had an opportunity to sponsor this girl for school while she was in Africa. Here is her short report about Veronica.

When we were going to the school I told Alex the head PI to get me the top performing girl in the eight grade and that's how I got Veronica. Then I thot maybe her parents wouldn't let her go but her father turned out to be a good guy...in the jeans and vest in the pictures. He gave a speech to the villagers to send their children to school and "don't forget the girls".He said God sent me to Wamba to help his daughter and I wanted to tell him "no it was British Airways " but since he only knew Samburu and it was all being translated for me....He just kept saying how happy he was and it was the greatest gift Wamba had ever received so I knew I had done the right thing. I told the gathering I had no children but now I had a daughter in Kenya.

Hank continues with more about Veronica and her life without Judy's intervention.

This is the girl who has the best academic performance at Ntepes Primary School, one of six in Wamba town. Of course we were all appalled to realize that circumcision still goes on, and young girls are married off to old human goats, and can only look forward to hauling water, having babies, building the huts and do everything else that the ex-Morans don't do--which is everything. So Judy transformed her outrage into something positive.

So it is that Veronica will be leaving Wamba for the first time in her life. It's about 150 kilometres to Meru. Forget the kilometerage, it takes about five hours by road, 90 via tarmac, 20 under construction and the rest "untarred." Of course this is contingent on her doing well on her national exams. The result come in around December 28.

So it is that, after the Goat Ceremony, Judy presents her Letter of Intent (written by her traveling lawyer, but heavily edited by his client) to the Headmaster and Veronica's father. We were to have met him prior to the ceremony, but we were so tied up with the media and the cultural event that the first meeting was at the presentation.

Veronica was born during the second rains (in September) in 1990. We don't know the exact date, but we decided it would be the 13th--Judy's birthday. When first we met her I had no idea why she was there and didn't know what best girl meant. She is extremely shy and I don't know what her language skills are--I don't remember her having spoken. She wants to be a doctor--hello Judy !!

Her father is the local butcher. She has two brothers and a two sisters (I think), all younger. They live at a gully near the school and the water pipe. I was concerned because he might have objected. The guy is super. He was so grateful and enthusiastic. He speaks no English (not sure about Swahili), and he made a impassioned speech to the crowd.

He urged them to send their children to school, and "not to forget the girls." Truly a renaissance man in Nowhere. Didn't see the children, but Veronica's mother was there. He could not get his brain around the idea that Judy, a woman, was doing this herself!!

We could get the idea that this is what Judy would do as she's a Johanson! Maybe Judy will bring her to our next reunion.

Judy Adopts

Judy Adopts
Originally uploaded by arlal.

Where's Willy Wonka?

Yesterday I watched Lucas from 11-1 as I do on every Friday this semester only. This is only a Lucas tale so if you're sick of hearing me go on and on about Lucas you can stop reading now. Lucas blah blah blah Lucas blah.

I packed a small box of my mom's Desert Rose Franciscanware and Charlie agreed to take it the Tri-Cities this weekend where Betty and Brice would be. Betty also collects this kind of dinnerware so she's been combining my mom's dishes with hers. It is so great that my mom no longer needs plates or bowls or groceries for that matter.

As we drove to Charlie's house for the delivery I chattered on and on about where we were going and why. When we arrived at Charlie's he came out and greeted us. I hopped out of the car and got the box of dishes out but Lucas exclaimed, "Get me out of here", indicating that he didn't intend to stay in the car for this short visit. We went into Charlie's garage and stared at all the good things in there like a fresh deer rack, a huge shotgun and shells, and pheasant feet and feathers. After 10 minutes we began to get into our car again and finally Lucas, who is a boy of few words, asked, "Where's Mr. Wonka?" Charlie fell into step and announced that he lived in Seattle now. I mean if you're visiting a Charlie surely Willy Wonka and his Chocolate Factory are nearby. I'm sure it was a disappointing visit for Lucas but then he has to learn not to take these long videos Grandma shows too seriously.

It is more fun spending time with Lucas when he has a vocabulary to let you know what's going on in his mind. Tonight I am resting from trying to keep ahead of him for an evening. I did take my mom out for a drive and a burger. Brett, Lucas and I had dinner with her on Thursday night though she mentioned today it would be nice to see how he's grown since the last time she's seen him.

I'm excited that Ron and Dorena, Betty and Brice have plans to visit Cornet Bay this coming week. This will be full disclosure about the facilities there. Charlie and also Barb have mentioned returning to Chiwawa Lodge but Ron votes no as it is too close to his house. He says it's because he wants to drive somewhere but I think it's most likely because he and Dorena have to put so much of their own time and effort into getting things ready which includes their house full of company. Well there's always Vernonia.

Mummies

I finally have photos of both of them so I should say a few words also. Cyd says she is tired but she looks pretty good and is getting around just fine. She is still working full time and hopes to stay on her feet until at least January 12th. We shopped for everything this past weekend so if she never buys another baby item she will have everything to get her through the first few weeks. She likes to be prepared so when I left on Sunday she was washing all the new items with Dreft soap. She will always be buying things for children for the rest of her life now so she'll need to get used to that.

Anna Marie is ready for Miles to arrive. She was making another Halloween house with Lucas tonight and I think she is ready for the suffering to be over. She hardly looks pregnant unless you get the side view. Lucas is excited about the arrival of Halloween only. He wants to be Darth Vader even after he found out Darth wasn't a nice person. I think he only likes Darth because he carries a light saber.

Alberta went to Riverfront Square shopping with her retirement group today. She said she had fun but couldn't tell me what she did. I think she saw a movie but she wasn't sure. Thursday she is going to a Pumpkin Patch. She is quite pleased with her new home and remembers being there for a long time now.

The weather here has been lovely but I've been preparing for the cold to arrive any day. That means putting away outdoor furniture and pruning bushes.

Anna Marie's Profile

Anna Marie's Profile
Originally uploaded by arlal.

25 Weeks

25 Weeks
Originally uploaded by arlal.

October 7

As you can see this was taken a few days before his birthday after he and his mom built the Halloween masterpiece. I was invited to participate as I had dinner at their house that night but I turned down the offer so I could put touch-up paint on the holes where the former curtain rods were. The Halloween house surprised us all especially after the words coming from under the breath of the mom. Lucas has learned how to enjoy posing for his photo.

The photos from the actual birthday party didn't lend themselves to public posting. There is no way I know of to photograph 8 children under the age of four when all that was in sight were paper plates full of uneaten cake and melting ice cream, kids making weapons from legos, and piles of wrapping paper.

Judy has returned from Nairobi and here is her brief synopsis of the trip.

Not exhausted just jet lag. The trip was fabulous...we both loved it. The interaction with the people in Wamba Town was unbelievable...it is so far off the beaten track that Earthwatch volunteers are the only white people they ever see!

We saw every animal you can name at the Lewa Conservancy...zebras, giraffe, lion, cheetah, elephants, warthogs, kudu, antelope of all kinds, ostrichs, Cape buffalo, monkeys, etc.

I will never go to Africa as a tourist again. Earthwatch is the way to go.

Alberta is doing well in her new apartment. She went to the quilt show on Friday, went with the walking group yesterday, and took the van to church today. She is getting out and about and loves the place she says.

The mother's to be are doing well also. Anna Marie says she is very anxious for Mile's arrival but I'm warning her she is better off having him where he is. They have the nursery almost ready for him. Cyd has purchased her baby furniture and has baby clothes in the closet so she is getting prepared.

I have more free time and it's wonderful. I phone my mom daily but only see her every two or three days. She is coming for dinner today with Ray and Claire so we can have a family Lucas birthday.

So far I haven't heard much about the Cornet Bay possibility for Memorial Day. I suppose we are all waiting for the visitation by the Taylors for a candid account of what's there.

I'm also anxious to see photos and hear more about Leslie and Darren's new home. There was a huge housewarming party there Friday and we could use details.

Lucas is Three

Lucas is Three
Originally uploaded by arlal.