Cyprian: Sweet memories

Cyprian Onderi, whose recent visit to the UK was saved from disaster by the generosity and good wishes of many of you, is back home in Kisumu. Today he volunteered with Heather, Imlah, Aman and Ann at Kitagwa school – he had this to say about it:

My visit to Kitagwa today brought back the sweet memories of being back at home. Of course many years ago I was a pupil in the same standard I was in today. This only was the way of life then, going to school and coming back home.

Today, the 20th June 2007, having been invited by the project leader Heather Parker to the primary school for phoning session, did not only bring me into two familiar worlds that I have been before but a state of both joy and confusion.

As I had to translate from time to time from Swahili to English back and forth, I was reminded how two different worlds so distant apart can be diminished into just an arms length away. Having stayed in England and Coventry did have a very helpful experience of the translation as the dialect also took its toll. I was reminded that my Swahili must not only be upgraded but also mantained!

I realised that for the short time I have been away so much has changed, though my class control still has its own touch that I have always had. The sense of community sharing was also witnessed as we had lunch together with our hands washed in an African manner.

Actually I could not avoid throwing a glance to Imlah and Aman to see whether they were coping with the African tradition. This reminded me of the first time I had to use a fork and a knife in South Africa. I felt like the whole world was watching me. But you know what, Aman did fairly well. Imlah was happy to have the spoon save the day.