Moments of Clarity

Living in a different culture can wear a person down over time. The lack of support at school, the aggressive attitude men have towards women, but then a moment can happen that reminds you why you are here and all of the crap just disappears. I had two in one week. My first moment was when I was heading home from Nairobi. We always stop at this gas station in a town called Narok. Narok is swarming with tourists since it is the gate to Masai Mara. So I always assumed they grouped me together with them, not knowing that I am a volunteer working here. I went in, got a snack and went to the counter to pay for my stuff. As I gave him the money, he asked me where I worked. I was a little surprised by this since he never started a conversation with me before. I told him I worked in a school for the deaf in Litein. He was surprised and very interested in how I communicate with my students who are deaf. As the line got longer and longer, we continued standing there talking about deaf awareness. He finally asked me if I could teach him some sings. I told him I would every time I was headed to Nairobi. I said goodbye and continued my travel to litein. I was shocked with the conversation I just had but very happy to hear someone elses interest in learning sign language.




My 2nd moment happened a few days later. I teach KSL at a local hospital. I had about 15 students, ranging from VCT councilors, and doctors to Accountants and receptionists. Over time it has slowly dwindled to 5 that come every day. Most of the men have dropped the class and few have actually improved. For some time now, I was feeling a little burnt out. I had taught them all I knew and now it was just up to them to practice. I called one of my top students to ask her if she got the posters. She said she had and then she told me she met with one of my students over the weekend. She said she was able to have a conversation with her. I was so excited. She then told me 2 men who were deaf came in and she was able to communicate with them as well. I was so proud of her and congratulated her. When I got off the phone with her, I couldn’t stop smiling. She reminded me how important it is to teach KSL in service providing organizations and I am actually making my community a more understanding and accepting place for my students.

I swear, without these moments of clarity every now and then, I would have been home in the US a long time ago.