Kinga Africa, Take Two

From back in November....

Can you imagine dentists coming to a school in the States and after a brief presentation all the kids lined up (single file) and waited to have their teeth checked? I can't. But that's just what happened today when Kinga Africa put on a dental clinic at Garissa Primary School outside the Kiandutu slum in Thika.

lining up for a check up!

I had the chance to go out with Kinga Africa again this morning. This time my roommates, our friend/ coworker/fearless leader Sarah, and I went out to Thika to Garissa Rd. Primary School just outside of a slum area. It wasn't a school day, so kids of all ages where hanging out, but the promise of dentists and new toothbrushes was incentive for folks to come out and see what was happening. Once word got out more and more people showed up.

Lindsey playing

The last time I went out with Kinga Africa (a Kenyan organization committed to educating youth about proper hygiene) a few of us went to a few schools out in villages. On this particular Saturday various volunteer groups were involved in the activities. 

Sweet Amber chatting it up with the kids

The Kinga Africa folks gave the talks about hand washing and brushing teeth. Once they finished, children and parents lined up for their exams. A group of dental students came to do the dental exams. They even pulled teeth if it was necessary. Children proudly carried away new toothbrushes and toothpaste. It was great to see families there to hear what the presenters had to say. 

Another group donated bags and bags of clothing, shoes, and household items. Since we couldn't exactly help with the dental exams, we sorted the clothing into piles in a spare classroom. Once we sorted the items into piles we did an inventory of everything that was donated. 

Sarah sorting clothes

sorted and inventoried 

Some students from one of the colleges in the area came to volunteer and offer their services, too. 

Dental exams

We had fun hanging out with the children and playing games. I enjoyed having my hair done or "cut" by many of the little girls. We also played soccer with some of the boys and hand clapping games with the girls (I need a refresher on Miss Mary Mack). It was fun teaching the kids songs I knew, then playing their version. I learned the Kenyan version of "Down, Macaroni, Athada..." Lindsey played Ring-Around-the-Rosies with a group, Amber had a little one latch on to her, and Sarah Withera literally ran around with kids from one point to another. Outside the room where the teeth pulling was happening children were playing a game like jacks with rocks. 

playing a game of jacks

It amazes me the ingenuity you can see here. Some kids had soccer balls; others made their soccer balls out of grocery bag plastic and rubber-bands. 

sweet girls

I'm thankful to have met Francis and his team of go-getters who are so dedicated to reaching out to the children and youth of Kenya. Today was an amazing effort of teamwork among various groups. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to  participate in what God is doing through Kinga Africa in this beautiful country.