Turning Point

What’s up World?

What’s up with me? Well I feel like I am at my turning point. I have been here for a while now and it feels like home, the home I once lived in and left, the home that has been inside my heart. Before my family and I were sponsored by the wonderful people at The First Baptist Church to come to Canada under refugee status I was here in Kenya. When my home country in Somalia was in war my beautiful and strong mother took her 3 children and ran. She ended up in Kenya where we were welcomed by Kenyans and where we were sponsored to come to Canada and better our lives further. I always vowed to return and work for free doing anything to show my gratitude. This year I have been given that opportunity by York University in Canada and I am beyond grateful. I also feel very happy because I kept the promise I made when I was only 7 years old.

Today I heard of many more Somali people crossing the border into Kenya because of the drought in Somalia. My heart sunk into my stomach, knowing the pain and situations of those people, my only hope is that they will be accepted into Kenya as I was. On the other hand it pains me to know that these horrible things war, poverty and drought to name a few are killing innocent people in Somalia and all over the world.

My turning point here in Kenya is that I have adapted the many cultures that live here and I have made my own so much stronger because of the big population of Somali people here. All of my friends here and my students are Luos, Kikuyu’s, Kamba’s, Masaai, Kissi’s and so many mixed people.

Today I finished my classes and usually I just stick around and tell Disney stories to my students but I adapt the name to my students names and they love them so much. Today I came to the computer in the nearest town Oyugis so I couldn’t stay after class and my students were very sad. We are at a point that when we don’t see each other suring the entire day we are complaining. Yesterday the secondarians accused me of not loving them as much as I love the primarians, so naturally I had to play volleyball with one group and do track and field with the other. I love them, I love them, I love them and I can not imagine leaving them.

I was offered a job in Parliament but obviously I can not take it right now going into my final year at York but I was also told even when I graduate the job will be mine, which is yes awesome! It’s almost overwhelming being loved so much, I wonder if celebrities feel this way. So far I have been to Nairobi, Narok, Kissi, Oyugis, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kendu Bay (where Obama’s father is from) and other cities along the way and each and time it’s nothing but love, love,love.

People here are so accepting, friendly and loving that I think when I return I may give free hugs (if I get arrested, you will know why lol). I forgot my usb cord at home that’s why the pictures haven’t been put up yet but hopefully I get a new one in Nairobi before I leave. Believe me, you want to have a chance to see this beautiful place filled with beautiful people.

I taught my kids to speak some Somali which they love and also some Somali songs. I have a recording of them performing Waka Waka, Oh Africa and Wavin Flag and I hope o post them soon.

Be back before you can say SAMAWATHASHADACLIFF (that’s my great grandmother’s name and one of my middle names, yes it’s super long).;)

LIVE~LEARN~LOVE LIFE
Sucdi aka Sudi aka Walaay (crazy one)

 

Wahan Wiligayga Hilmamaynin/ Something I Will Never Forget

Asalamaalaikum,

Saitahi World,

I thought I would bust out my native mother tongue Somali in this mix of Luo and Kiswahili. So many things have happened since we’ve been here that it is hard to take one special piece to remember for life but something very special happened to me about 2 weeks ago that I must share with you. Now please don’t cry as I did but I was so emotionally touched, grateful and honored. When I first came to Wikondiek in May one of the secondary teachers was pregnant, when I introduced myself as Sucdi she had asked me what it means. Naturally I understood the question because most African names have a meaning almost always so I replied “it means happiness in Somali”. Well she had her baby the end of June and guess what she named the baby? Yes she called her darling daughter Happiness-Sucdi! No one had even told me, I was walking by a few days after the baby birth when Izadorah, some children and Ruth (The mother) were around and when I asked what the name of the baby was I was told Happiness-Sucdi. Yeah no i’m not over it! I am blessed and honored that the mother and the community think of me in such a way to preserve my presence in Wikondiek, Kenya. Mr. Phillip and Mr. Joseph who are primary teachers took me out for Soda and explained why the community would want to serve my presence in Wikondiek and that was why the baby was named after me.

This is pretty awesome and it makes it that much harder for me to leave and return to Canada. Also I have lost 15 pounds and the community thinks that I am dieing so every minute they have they are feeding me, and yes you guess it I am eating it all. I mean let’s face it I think my eating habits in Canada are out of control and i hardly exercise especially in the winter. Here I am eating healthy organic foods, 3 meals a day and I am active everyday. It shouldn’t be a shocker that I dropped some weight. They did of course tell me that according to “African” beauty if I drop any more weight that I will loose my beauty, so I will try my best not to ;).

My cousin had her baby girl on Tuesday with the name Zayneb Sucdi, okay so i’m pimpin out my name just let me be happy lol. Well I am happy to be in my country, beautiful and welcoming not to mention loving Kenya. My students are the best and we have a bond that can never be broken and for that I am thankful. They are my friends and my students, I like to call them my children. They make every day here worth it and for that I give them great praise and love.

I miss my family, my Rocco, my friends but I am happy here and I know that these important people in my life are happy as long as I am happy. Love you

Macsalam,
Sucdi

 

Family is the Truth

Mazuri Canada?

My journey here in Kenya is not only in the village but it is also in Nairobi. My loving family (my aunt, grandmother and cousins), have welcomed me and Brianna into their lovely home in Nairobi with great hospitality. I am thankful to have a loving and compassionate family such as the one I do who support me in my endeavors and dreams 100%. We have visited Nairobi and stayed with my family a few times and every time we go we are convinced that it is the greatest city in the world.

Nairobi is big, busy and beautiful just the way I like my cities. The people are kind and open that is what is the best thing about it. Most big cities have closed minded people, in Nairobi everyone is open to chat and help one another and I love it! It also helps that my family lives here and is taking great care of us and feeding us some delicious foods. I can’t lie although I love the village food I also love my Somali food even more, so Ayaya Zayneb (Nana Zayneb) Allah bless you and the wonderful meals you have given me.

This blog is to celebrate my life and the wonderful people who I have been blessed with. Time is passing by very quickly and I love it here but my life is in Canada at the present state, should I pack up and leave? I don’t know but I can definitely see myself residing here for good. Next week is midterms and so we are heading to Mombasa for the Mombasa Raha for 4-5 days and then we will return to Nairobi for 5 more days and wait for the birth of my beautiful cousin Arij’s daughter due Monday June 20,2011. How fortunate and blessed am I that I get to experience such a blessing!

Alhamdulilah and Mashallah, I can’t ask for anything more for I am very blessed!

~Sucdi~

 

Jumbo Sana Canada?

Habari Yenu?

I am still having a blast here and I have energy for life and then some to spare. My students have now become like my children, I just love them all so much and they are constantly putting a smile on my face. Yesterday my standard 7’s took me to the river and we saw a monkey eating corn, they also went into the corn fields by the mango tree’s and picked some mangoes for the class. On our way down some of my out of control (that’s what I call them for fun) boy’s decided to swim in the river because they were hot, after all the journey there was a long one. It was amazing to take nature walks and experience apart of my beautiful Africa!

I am dedicating this blog to how people see me. It is a difficult topic but a beautiful one that I really worked hard to discover. People here see me as an African woman. I must say that is refreshing because in Toronto many people constantly assume that the majority of black people are from the Caribbean especially Jamaica. Although I love my Caribbean counterparts not everyone who is black is from there as I’m sure we would all agree. People who live here in Kenya treat me with the utmost respect and care as if I am family and they have known me their entire lives. They want me to dress in African attire, cook African foods, and they just love it that I am quickly learning both Luo and Kiswahili.

My students see me as their friend, confidant and teacher which is more than I could ever ask for. When I go away to Nairobi on the weekends they say “Sucdi, we didn’t sleep the entire weekend because you were not here”, and although it’s more flattery than truth I just love hearing them say that. So with deep research and study this is what I have come to learn about myself. That I am African, beautiful, wild at times, blunt, compassionate and most of all a great friend.

Kwaheri Canada
Sucdi

 

Kenya Ma Meat/ Kenya So Sweet

I have only been here one month and already many things have touched my heart. The first thing I would like to tell you that touched my heart is a little boy in grade 6 named Pinto. Pinto is 11 years old but takes care of his 3 year old sister and 2 year old brother alone because they do not have their parents in their lives. Pinto goes to school at Wikondiek and as I’ve explained before education in Kenya is not free. Pinto wakes up in the morning cooks breakfast for himself and his younger siblings then goes to school from 8 am to 5pm. When he finishes school he goes to chop wood to make into charcoal which he sells door to door in the community alone. With the money earned he pays his school fees so he wont be sent home and uses the rest to buy vegetables which he has to take home to prepare to eat for himself and his siblings. Pinto inspires me and has touched my heart deeply. He has only a 1 pair of ripped pants and 1 torn up shirt. I gave him 2 shirts last week and the way his eyes lit up was like someone had just saved his life, the beautiful smile and set of teeth that came from him was incredible.

The second way my heart melted was when my students 7/8 combined were singing their gospel songs and included me in it and when I asked what they were saying in their song a student replied “they are saying “Sucdi can walk on water as Jesus did” I almost started crying, I was like OMG! They think highly of me and I think the same of them. I have seen kindness and humility here and it’s something I wish to see more of in Canada when I return beginning with myself. Everyone of my students is beginning to become attached to me as I am to them and it will be difficult to leave Wikondiek. It’s only a month in and I’m thinking about how to say goodbye. Really how do you say goodbye to people who have become your family?

It’s a beautiful being a teacher and a friend. They go hand in hand ;). Add that to Teacher’s college, I really do believe it’s the best way to reach out to students and have them reaching for you too.

Inspired, Welcomed and Loved

Oriti

~S~

 

Adenade/ Adi Ma Ber

Omoso Ou World?

What is the definition of beauty in Kenya? The definition of beauty in Kenya is full figured women, natural beauty/ no makeup, hard work, intelligence and a pure and honest heart and soul. Slender females which we believe in the West are beautiful body types are not so beautiful here in Kenya. In general terms in the case of Africa full figured bodies are signs of outer body beauty and I love that about this continent. Everyday someone in the village tells me how beautiful they think I am and it is so honoring to be in a society that really means what they say and has the time to tell everyone something special about themselves everyday.

Yesterday I took my standard 7 and 8 classes to a music festival which they practiced long and hard for. They performed Shakira’s “Waka Waka” and Akon’s “Oh Africa” and they danced a choreographed dance for each and they performed them beautifully with not even one mistake. I also taught my 7’s K’Naan’s Waving flag which 2 students male and female rap and the class sings the chorus but each class was only allowed 1 song so they couldn’t perform it. They judges were really rude to us and I was really surprised because we have been welcomed everywhere we go. At first they were happy to see a Somali with Kenyan’s, that was before they found out I taught them English mixed songs by African artists then they flipped the script on me. It was especially frustrating and they disqualified us after performance after we won 1st first in each competition for get this for “copyright infringement of the songs”, they wanted me to contact Shakira and Akon to get written permission sent by them to perform the songs at a damn talent show. As my students and the teachers at Wikondiek put it “Corruption”!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s all good thought because my students both classes made me so proud I even cried at how perfect their performance was and I am so thankful to be with them. They had a blast practicing and performing, getting away from the school. When my kids smile and are happy so am I and they know they are number one regardless of anything, and our relationship is that much tighter!

We shared about 6 big group hugs and we are so excited to perform for our community to raise money for either the nursery school to be built or the community dispensary.

Live, Learn and Love Life

Oriti

Sucdi

 

Water is Life!

Omoso Ou Canada,

Well I was in the midst of finishing my blog when the generator in the computer shop just went off so I hope I can recall everything i wrote before. The funny thing is when the generator died the people here just looked at me and said ‘This is Africa’! and so it is lol.

Now, where was I? Yes, I have taken water for granted for a very long time and I am learning fast that water is LIFE!Weather we are talking about Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu or Wikondiek water is not easy to come across, especially clean water, The people here boil the water they find to kill the germs and make it drinkable. I have had long showers, flush able toilette’s and cold water in Canada for long and took them all for granted and now I am learning a lesson well deserved and need in my life. I bathe from a bucket where I combine hot and cold water and it has become a relaxing and extremely enjoyable way of showering. It reduces the amount of energy I waste in the shower and forces a me to go through a bit of labor to fetch the water. I have also began drinking water even though Fanta and Del Monte juices (YUMMMMM) are available and what do you know, I dropped 6 pounds this week! I love my water and I promise never to take it for granted when I return because water is truly life.

I love my students and they love me right back which is awesome, yes I taught them what awesome means and they are using it quite a bit! My students are helping me learn their culture and they are super excited and proud of me when I am able to communicate with them in Luo/Swahili. They are learning about big hugs with me, they feel shy sometimes because they are used to shaking hands but they are opening up to hugging and secretly I think they enjoy them too.

My standard 8 class would like to perform a western play for their community so I don’t know exactly which one they will choose but I promise to take pictures and post them so Canada and the world can see Africa’s open hearts and open minds. I wrote my business exam and gave it out Thursday some of my students failed, most passed and those who love to chat with Ms Sucdi, oh yes they got very high marks just like I knew they would. When my students come to class they always do well, sometimes they are unable to come and that is when their marks suffer. My grade 5 English is grrreeaatttt and they are currently learning how to write letters. My form 2 English which is English grade 10 is amazing and loves to read, write, discuss the books/plays, and even act out some of the scenes from the book. We are currently reading Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s book The River Between, which is an amazing book as I expect nothing less from Mr. Thiong’o.

It’s really hot outside and I am getting very dark that it’s even shocking Brianna. I think the sun missed me all those years I was in Canada and since she doesn’t know when I’ll be back she is trying to give me all of her love and more while I am here. I love you too my African Sun!

Anyway I must go because I am super scared the generator will die again and I will loose my post. Love you all my family, friends and Canada. But Canada you must not spoil me so much when I return and bit of labor would do me justice as it has done so far in Kenya.

Sucdi

 

I’M LOVIN IT/ The Kenyan experience

Amosou Osiepe ga? (Luo) How are you all?

If there is a place more green than Wikondiek, I would love to see it! Kenya is amazing and home to some of the friendliest people in this world. When we arrived my lovely family picked us up from Nairobi airport Saturday night and took care of us until we departed on Tuesday evening (that’s what east African curtsey and hospitality is all about). My aunt Sofia and my cousin Alisha took us to a Somali community in Kenya called Islee, If anyone thought there were many Somali’s in Dixion,Toronto, you have no idea just how many Somali there are in Islee (LOVEDDDDDDDDD IT).

We have been blessed in many ways since we have been here and for that I say Alhamduliah, too often I forget how blessed I am in my new home Canada and one of the many lessons I learned in 7 days is to appreciate the little things in life, the big things, things that may seem not to matter, just take the time to love life. Everyone in the community of Wikondiek is fantastic, when you meet someone you shake hands and when you leave you shake hands, and here’s the best part people are actually genuine when they say hello!

I am learning Luo, which is the native language of the community of Wikondiek, I’m actually picking up quite fast and the people here are so proud of me and very happy to see that I a Somali/Eritrean/Canadian and now Kenyan have taken such an interest. It’s a blessing to be here, it’s hard to explain but you just feel so honored to share the lives of people who live differently and are happy and joyful.

It’s hot and sunny during the day, and it rains sometimes but we can even play in the rain. I have laughed plenty and I know I will continue to smile and enjoy this experience. At night it gets super dark and it’s easy to sleep, there’s a very loud cricket that likes to keep me awake but i’v learned to deal with him :). We have made many friends Zaporah, Onyango, Eric, and Izadorah who are some of the most free spirited and wonderful people that one can hope to meet.

I am teaching English in standard 5 and form 2, Social Studies in standard 6 and 7, and business and geography in form 1. I am thrilled to announce that I will be helping with the putting on of a play in a regional competition and I look forward to providing western themes in combination to our African themes of drama to create MAGIC!

Love and miss everyone and I hope you are all blessed and well, please don’t be a stranger to my blog as there are some wonderful events to come, I just know it! Keep in touch and enjoy a properious and hopefully hot summer Canada.

Eru Kamano Oriti

 

East Africa Stand Up! Inspiring and being Inspired in Kenya

Jumbo,

My name is Sucdi-Salama. I am currently a student at York University majoring in theatre studies and education. This year I received an amazing internship opportunity to go to Wikondiek,Kenya to teach general academics to primary and secondary students. I am very excited to teach and learn because in my honest opinion those two components of education are reciprocal and can not function without each other, authority does not rely solely on the teacher it relies on team work and effort allowing both the student and teacher to grow. Drama is also an extremely important part of my teaching pedagogy because drama allows differentiated instruction, we all know children learn in many ways and I intend to let the students express themselves creatively, boldly and openly without judgement and of course with lots of FUN!

I am East African myself, mixed with Somali and Eritrean. My family and I and many other Somali people left Somalia during the civil war and the humble country of Kenya took many of us into their land. Since we moved to Canada I have not returned to Nairobi and it gives me great pleasure to go back and work with Kenyan communities. It’s funny but I look forward to seeing how Kenya has changed since I left, and I am especially grateful that I can return and give back to the country that helped me become of who I am today. My blog is titled “East Africa Stand Up! Inspiring and being Inspired” because I am of the opinion that through the many trials and tribulations East Africans face and have faced in history, we have lent helping hands to one another which only makes us stronger. I am a firm believer that “you never know where your going until you know where you’ve been”, one part I would add to that quote from personal experience is “you can never get to where your going until you go back to where you’ve been”.

I am ecstatic to learn, grow and have new perspectives on life when I return to Toronto for my final year of University. This is the beginning of a three month journey filled with exploration, an open heart and soul and a mind full of wonder. It’s been a long time Kenya and I think I’m ready for you the question here is “are you ready for me”?

Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout my life and throughout the process of the internship application. I will be safe, I will take care, and it goes without saying that I will be the dramatic chic you all know and love with Kenyan twist! 😉 I will update my blog as much as possible and I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts.

P.S. You all didn’t think I forgot my precious Canada, did you? A special thanks to Canada which is my home today and my multicultural Canadians who share my story, you hold an important place in my heart too!

Stay tuned for what’s next because the next blog will be from Kenya…

~S~