Shuku

Tales of pushing along in Kenya through Covid-19
 
Greetings from the cool Kenyan rainy season. I welcome the 80-degree days, wet, dreary, book in hand and of course a couch. I continue to pursue safe ways to be in communication with the students by sending out notes and recipes, social media and occasionally face to face, well at least six feet apart. Here I wish to share one of my many affects amid the coronavirus among our student community.
 
A story of a student
 
His name is Julius Shukurani, known as Shuku in the hood, at school we call him Chamanade because the first day he entered was on the celebration of the Marianist founder Fr. Chamanade, but soon to come to his surprise; mamasboyz...I can’t wait!
 
 
Julius in his current room
 
Julius supports himself, paying his rent, food and school fees. Now with most everything being shut down, the opportunity of hustling odd jobs is no longer available. The youth used to be able to fetch water, slash fields, clean homes, wash clothes or help with masonry work. Students were able to depend on eating one meal per day while attending school, but now food is another cost for them to bear. With this in mind I sent word to locate Julius and send him my way. He arrived to my gate the very next day. I sat him down at my table, got the small talk out of the way then I began to ask questions. We went through a similar scenario last spring when he disappeared from school for three weeks, because of not being able to pay his school fees. This is how our conversation unfolded:
 
How are you doing? -Good
Do you need anything? – No
Deep Sigh....hmmm – No response
 
More small talk
 
When did you eat last? – Yesterday
Are you hungry? – Yes
Can I get you something to eat? – Yes
 
I shift to the kitchen to prepared his food; I keep plenty on hand for times like this. I returned with his meal and sat down to continue my inquiries while he ate.
 
How is your rent? – My security deposit was used up for last month’s rent.
How are you still there? - I am waiting for it to be locked, but the landlord is in another county and cannot get here due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Then what are you going to do? – there is an unfinished flat near here where I will sleep.
Then you wake up and what? – just that and move on.
What about your stuff? – my cousin will store it with him.
Let me come to your place? – I am embarrassed, the roof leaks everywhere.
No reason for you to be, I appreciate being able to learn from you guys.
Can I assist you in finding another room? – it is up to you.
I think there is one just across the street here, go see what you can find? – okay
So why can’t you just tell me these things? “BECAUSE WE ARE MENS”. I thought I was going to fall out of my chair, (men is singular and mens is plural, I just love these kids) That’s the way it is.
 
 
 
               Shuku’s planned living arrangement
 
These kids are fearless, they have endured so much in their short life span. They are strong and are survivors because there is very little certainty of what the next day will bring.
Two days later I called him inquire to what he found out and he said he knows of a room near where his mother lives and wishes to be close to his mother, located in a small slum just next to me. He wished to be close to her because he wants to help her. Like most sons and daughters here they want to be of support for the one(s) who raised them. I requested he take me to his current room, the unfinished flat and his new dwelling. After witnessing what I saw we moved him the very next day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                Mamazboy new nyumbani (home)
 
 
Working from home allows me the blessings of doing this kind of work during the pandemic.
 
Building a better world one person at a time