Contact me!

Hey Friends! I've been meaning to post this, and since people have asked, here you go.

My email is: sarahei04@gmail.com

I'm on Twitter, Instagram, Skype, Vine...all those media what-nots as: sarahei04

You can send me letters here:

Rosslyn Academy
Attn. Sarah Idsardi
PO Box 14146
Nairobi, Kenya 00800

Some of you have asked about packages. Honestly, it's probably not really worth it. I'd have to pay for some of the postage and each day it sits at the post the price increases. Also, there's a chance that not all of the things actually make it to me. So...just a note or email is totally cool! :)

Thanks for all the love, prayers, and encouragement!
Sarah

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!

Habari!

Habari is a greeting here, it means "Hi, how are you?" I'm working on my Swahili. You answer with, "Mzuri sana" (very good).

With just a few more days until new teacher orientation, Lindsey and I have stayed busy with all sorts of exciting adventures, including experiencing Indian food at Diamond Plaza for the first time! It was like a big drive-in. We ate outside, then explored the shops around the parking lot and inside the mall.

I'm a fan of Indian food. 

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to church with our host Terri at Mamlaka Hill. It felt very much like a service back home with worship, the Lord's Supper, and a message.

After church we visited a nearby mall that felt very America. We enjoyed coffee and a muffin, then perused a few stores. It's interesting to see products and their prices. You can find American items, but the prices are much more than what they are in the states.

Today, Monday, I slept in pretty late- still working on that jetlag thing. We walked to an orphanage called The Nest, not too far from Rosslyn. It was just about lunch time, so we helped with feeding the little ones. Most of the children were babies.

It made me feel like I was back in Guatemala helping out with the Canarios! We even had to take off our shoes in their room and put hats and socks on them to go outside. The nannies had the same loving care like those at the center in San Juan.

Lindsey & Rachel

Myself and Vanessa

Hanging out after lunch!

Our next adventure was behind the wheel...on the right side of the vehicle! In Kenya, cars drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. We did well, with the exception of turning on the windshield wipers instead of the blinker a time or two. Both Lindsey and myself were able to maneuver the round-abouts.

Lindsey behind the wheel

In total, we drove 15 km- I'm also working on my metric, but that's about 9 miles I think. Next time out we'll be ready to make right turns (crossing traffic).

Getting use out of that international driver's licence.

God has blessed us with many opportunities to experience life here in Kenya. I'm looking forward to many more.

Arrived in Kenya

Just wanted to update that I'm here in Nairobi! Flights were smooth, luggage arrived, and now I have internet and a phone! It's been a busy couple of days getting situated in the apartment, but I'm pretty much unpacked. I have met tons of friendly folks here at Rosslyn. All of them have been so helpful, welcoming, hospitable, and encouraging. Even when we went to the Village Market (like a mall, with a grocery store) we ran into Rosslyn people. It was just like going to the Wal-Mart back home.

Cranes on campus

In my devotion today I came across Isaiah 12:2- "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." I really wasn't afraid of this move, this step in faith. However, in the midst of travel (those flights can get long!) my mind wandered and a little doubt crept in. I thought, "What am I doing!?" I mentally asked God, um, are you sure about this? Thankful for a sense of peace, I know that I am called here and that teaching at Rosslyn is part of His plan for my life. He is my strength; I will trust and not be afraid. I am so happy to be here! 

Take heart that I am being taken care of! We (my awesome roommate Lindsey and I) have had the best time with our generous host Terri. She has toted us to the market, helped us find what we needed, and even made us dinner! Tonight we had Ethiopian at Habesha with some Rosslyn Ladies. This place is all about community- I love it. Also, Ethiopian food is fun and tasty! 

Ethiopian dinner-Yum!

I'm off!

It's finally July 16th! Thank you everyone for all your kind thoughts, support, encouragement, an prayers. I'll be traveling today and tomorrow- getting to Nairobi Wednesday night. Next post will be from Kenya!

Kenya FAQs

Well, it's old news by now that I'm moving to Kenya. Most of you have heard, some of you may not know all the details, so here are some answers to the frequently asked questions I have gotten lately:

Q: Why in the world are you going to Africa?!
A: Teaching. :) I'll be teaching fourth graders at an amazing school, Rosslyn Academy. I've taught fourth grade for four years in Wauchula, so I'm excited to stick with my favorite age group overseas.

Q: What will you teach, English? 
A: Yes and no- I'll be teaching in English. I'll teach the same CORE subjects I've come to teach in Florida, but I'll also be teaching Bible. That'll be new for me as a public school teacher, but I'm excited about it. My students will be from all over the world, so it is probable that some of them are not native English speakers, but coming from Wauchula, that's no biggie. I'm ESOL endorsed and love the challenge and excitement of teaching English Learners.

Q: Are you going to have to learn a new language? 
A: To teach, no. From what I've read, lots of people in Kenya speak English, but I'm totally game for learning as much Swahili as I can. When in Rome, right?

Q: Where are you going to live?
A: I'll be living on campus in an apartment with two other single-female teachers who will also be teaching on the Elementary campus. It looks really nice and totally safe. :)

Q: How long will you be there?
A: I have a teaching contract for a year.

Q: Are you coming home for the holidays? 
A: Probably not. It's a looooong flight back and forth. There's too much to explore and see over there!

Q: What do you get to bring? 
A: I'm allowed three suitcases on my overseas flight....so whatever I can fit in them is what I can bring. Seriously, though, I'll bring a few school things that I think I can't live without, clothes, and stuff for the apartment that we'll need.

Q: Who are you going with?
A: Well, I'm going on my own, but I've already met a handful of wonderful people through email and Facebook. Isn't technology awesome? So, I didn't know anyone at first, but I do know the girls I'm rooming with and so many helpful, knowledgeable school staff.

Q: How do your parents feel about it?
A: They are very supportive! They are coming to visit after Christmas. (It also doesn't hurt that we have family friends a country away....we've also had a long time to prepare and the flight is booked, so might as well be positive, right?)

Q: When do you leave?
A: July 16. I need to start packing pronto!

Well, that's it- I think. If I've forgotten something and you're hankering to know, just ask away! Also, check out http://rosslynacademy.org/ for more info on our school! Also, you can find me on facebook, keep up with me on this blog, or email me (sarahei04@gmail.com). Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers!