Brushing Teeth and Washing Hands with Kinga Africa

Today was an adventure! We experienced Africa today. I also became an honorary dentist.

we look like dentists! (or chefs, take your pick)

We took off from Nairobi at 8am to head to a town called Thika. There we met up with some more volunteers and the guys of Kinga Africa who have a heart for educating children of Kenya about hygiene. Kinga means prevent or shield in Swahili; they educate how good hygiene can prevent diseases. Sponsored by Colgate, they teach children in schools about the importance of good hand washing and oral health. Learn more at www.kingaafrica.org

Francis, founder of Kinga Africa

Francis (founder of Kinga Africa) told us from the get go that we were not going to be standing around and watching, and he was right! After another drive out to the village area of Yatta we made it to our first school. Let me mention that we drove past pineapple fields, swerved around potholes the size of my suitcases, saw mountains, waited for goats and cattle to cross the road, and then we drove off the paved road onto the clay dirt road...then through an area that a car probably hasn't traversed in a while. It was great.

kicking up dust, avoiding potholes

At the first school we had a range of ages. Francis conducted the lesson in Swahili and in English. We observed at first (with our Colgate dentist jackets on), but then he asked us to model proper hand washing techniques.

shaking our hands to dry, not wiping them on our clothes

We then moved on to the oral health. I was so impressed with the behavior of the students, their thoughtful answers, and their eagerness to learn. It was such a treat when they received a toothbrush of their own! I was so thankful to be there! After all the kids had a brush they started running back to their classrooms. I was a little disappointed it was over, but then I realized that they were running to get their cups and they sprinted back to the exact spot and line of their class.

these little ones were cracking each other up, but got serious for the camera

What happened next was adorable! We helped the young ones open their the package and guided them in a group teeth brushing experience. The tiny ones had bubbles and foam dripping out of their mouths and were laughing! All ages were happy to show off their beautiful smiles after a good cleaning.

excited about new toothbrushes!

everyone brushing....circular motion!

before the beard of toothpaste happened

Since we had more schools to visit we had to scamper off to the next location- just down the road a bit. This school was really big, so we split up into an older and younger group. Some of us volunteers had to give the presentation. We were with the older kids who really enjoyed answering questions to get a bar of soap. There weren't enough brushes to go around, so only a few from each class demonstrated how it's done.

ready with notebooks to take notes!

sweet girls

demonstrating how it's done

showing what they learned

Ally was a great sport

One of the teachers at the school mentioned that we were the first visitors in two years to come to the school- the last ones being from the UK. Needless to say, they don't get very many white people (wazungu) out there so we were a sight. They enjoyed shaking our hands and giving high fives to us.

it was time for lunch...lots of mouths to feed

Our last stop of the day included two schools at one location. This time I had to give the presentation on brushing teeth to the older kids. Once again I was in awe at the respect given to visitors. It was such a blast getting to teach them.

Cody teaching about hand washing

The younger group recieved a toothbrush and toothpaste. They were giddy with excitement! I wandered over to that group when our presentations were complete and the children were so happy to show off their new prize.

all giggles!

Lindsey handing out toothbrushes

I went with two other Rosslyn teachers, and on the way home we stopped at a market to pick up some fabric to use as bulletin board backgrounds. The prints were so fun! I picked up five prints total...enough to change out the bulletin boards and to make a skirt (or two). Gator Nation is everywhere...I found an orange and blue print, too!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have gone with Kinga Africa out to Yatta today. God has definitely hooked me up with great friends! I can't wait for another opportunity to love on those kiddos and to share the love God has lavished on me.

bye!

Tomorrow begins my first official day at Rosslyn. We begin new teacher orientation. I'm looking forward to meeting more of the Rosslyn family and getting into my classroom!