Things to Come

1. Kariobangi:

I really want to raise money for the Kariobangi kids. I was thinking of maybe a charity concert, since I am in composers club, that would translate really well, but I am trying to brainstorm other ideas. Bringing in the kids to ISK would be great to they could meet people and such. The ultimate goal would be to possibly have a club in ISK for these kids, that way they could have even more love and support, which will be much needed when I go to college.

2. Getting in Shape/Living a healthier life style:

Since I got out of the hospital, my diet has drastically changed, which is fantastic. I plan to continue to do that, and work on some unique meals that I could even make myself in college! Without volleyball I have no exercise in my life, so once the play is over I am going to be going to the gym and governing my own workouts to get prepared for ISSEA basketball tryouts, and for generally better health.

3. Operation Smile:

Due to the success of it last year, we really want to have an other concert for Op. Smile. I was thinking we could even have a distinct theme, which may be really fun for an audience and compel even more people to come. Will be in communication with Mico and Stefanos about that very soon.

ISSEA Continued.....

The following URL is the ISSEA Volleyball 2012 Facebook page. It has so many great pictures of every game, as well as individual mentions of our own ISK Lions!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ISSEA-Volleyball-2012/111184612370640?fref=ts

ISSEA Pictures

One of my favorite pictures. Taken after we secured our 3rd Place in the tournament. GO LIONS!

We had such great sprit. ROAR!

ISSEA Volleyball 2012: Entebbe/Kampala

I have been a part of the ISSEA Volleyball team since I was in the 10th grade. Personally, I think it is the best thing that ISK has to offer. Not only do we get to learn about our geographical neighbors and their own unique culture, we get to make new friends and establish connections from almost all over the world. Participating in ISSEA also teaches you how to deal with extreme stress, how to pick yourself up after a mistake, and how to believe in yourself, even if everyone around you, may not be.

Our team was composed of a lot of new players, which had positive and negative repercussions. I remember my first ISSEA well, I was petrified. My hands shaking and knees wobbling at the net, I was a bit of a mess; but, all that goes away when you first touch the ball. That first hit, dig, serve, or set, whatever it may be, is like a sudden river of calm in your mind. You think to yourself "Oh right, I know how to play this." I was especially happy to see all of the friends I have made over my last 2 ISSEA's , from IST and ICS in particular. It was extremely emotional at the end, because ISSEA has been such a strong part of my high school experience, it coming to an end has only made me realize that soon, everything will be a memory.

I was/still am extremely proud of our team. We got in 3rd place, and although this is no improvement from last year, we played extremely well. Every team told us that we were their biggest competition, and the teams that beat us considered themselves to be lucky. When we noticed we were struggling, we picked ourselves back up, and we always supported each other. I think I am the most proud that every single one of us put 150% into the game when we were out there, we wanted to succeed for our coach, fellow players, and of course ourselves. We had so many moments of greatness, and of course moments of not so greatness, but at the end of the day, I am so happy. I was lucky enough to be picked as an all tournament player, a honor that I have always wanted to receive, and I am extremely touched my team and coach think of me as that kind of player. I had such a great time at ISSEA, I think I'm going to try out for ISSEA basketball; ISSEA should really be a week long, it went by so fast and it such an intense experience, 8 games in 3 days. ISSEA has made me a more cultured, stronger, and overall better player and person.

Kariobangi Pictures

Mama Sweetie Kariobangi Foundation: October 24 2012 Visit

Bio: 

My great grandmother, known in kikuyu as my "mito", lived her entire life in Kariobangi. Kariobangi is a small community on the outskirts of Nairobi, which, as many rural areas in Kenya, is plagued by lack of schools, medical facilities, and businesses. My mito spent her entire life protecting and inspiring everyone around her. She was a symbol of hope, love and happiness. When she passed on in 1997, she left her property to my mother. The property was left in the condition my mito left it in, until we moved back to Kenya 4 years ago in 2009. My mother and I thought the best thing to do with the property was to preserve it, and thus preserve my mito's legacy, preserve the love, hope and happiness she brought to the community. So we decided to open a school/day care for the children of the community, to protect, inspire and teach, just like my mito did. 

Towards the end of her life, my mito lost her sight. The neighborhood kids would all come together and help her with her shopping, cleaning and cooking; in return, she would give them pieces of candy, which back then was a pricey luxury. Because of this, she was known as Mama Sweetie. This made coming up with a name for our school easy. The Mama Sweetie Kariobangi Foundation has now become the jewel of Kariobangi, providing a safe place for not only the kids, but the adults in the community as well. 

Today's Visit: 

I always love visiting my Kariobangi kids; they are so full of life, it is a great pick me up. Lately I have been having a hard time being positive and happy within my own life, but these kids help bring out the positive in everyone, and every situation. Unfortunately I haven't seen the kids in a while; the change is inconceivable. There is one new girl, Clara, she is four years old and absolutely adorable. She has only been in the school for 2 weeks, but my mom told me that the teachers informed her that her english has improved so much. They have all grown up so much and are extremely healthy; they told me about all the healthy foods they have been eating, and how they have gotten 3 meals a day, which is an extreme improvement. We walked in just as the kids were coloring, which was very exciting because they welcomed me to join in; coloring is always fun, whether you are 7 or 17, so I definitely enjoyed myself. After that we had circle time, and we talked about the "pit" and "peak" of our days. I found this particularly sad, because most of the kids "pits" were their fathers coming home drunk and violent, their moms abandoning them, leaving them to fend for themselves, or even them not getting dinner. All of the kids come from horrifying and extremely difficult backgrounds, and they know way to much for children there tender age. Our goal is to get them as far away as possible from that, and to have them focus on school work and learning everyday, but sadly these horrifying things are still apart of their lives. 

We later played with the kids and they really enjoyed playing with my long braids. It brings me so much joy seeing how fascinated the girls are, and how much they enjoy, playing with my hair. After that we took them for a ride in our car, which they all said was the highlight of their day. 

The goal one day is to bring the kids to ISK and do something special for them there, so it is something I am planning on working on. 

Operation Smile Concert