This has been a hectic few months since I have come back from Kenya. I have had to deal with the reality of life here in the states: school, work, more work, more work, school, dishes, dogs, bills, school, did I say more work? I finally had the chance to call Ron today after not speaking to him for 2 months. He was so excited to talk. To be honest, I think I was just as eager. And it was so refreshing to hear his voice: a young boy simply eager to talk to someone about life and hope, and he happened to be on the other side of the world. As I was just moving past the beginning of my day, he had already eaten dinner and was soon off to bed. When I asked him what he had for dinner, he told me bread. I asked him if he had anything else, and he said no, and that meat or poultry was hard to come by for his family. I have frozen chicken and turkey sausage in my freezer ready for a future dinner, not even tonight's dinner. I have leftovers from a seafood paella I made two days ago. Would that be overnight shipping??? It just doesn't seem fair...
He likes the backpack I gave him for school (compared to the paper bag he was putting his books in before) and he also took his final exams for the semester and did very well. Last I saw, he was in the top 5% of his class. He said he wished we could talk everyday...I would love to talk to him everyday, but I could only offer him once a week. It seems like such a small thing but it has such a big impact on both of our lives. For him to know that I am still thinking about him and to have an outlet from the rest of his life AND for me to have someone who keeps everything in perspective. Everyday we bitch and moan about something, at least I do: financial problems, traffic, people, feeling overwhelmed, overworked, under-appreciated, blah, blah, blah...And then there is Ron...a young boy who is so smart, bright, and full of potential who simply needs someone on his side who can see him through a shitty situation. It's hard to balance the appropriate perspectives.
With his permission I think I might record some of our conversations from now on. It's pathetic to say, but I miss him. He etched his way into my heart (not very easy by the way) and now I feel a sense of obligation to him. I legitimately care about this young boy and his future and I don't want to lose contact with him. He has now become like my adopted little brother. And luckily he has a wonderful person looking out for him back at home. Gylian is the young woman I stayed pretty close with in Kenya as she helped me with so many things and she is staying aware of Ron's situation and keeping me informed. She is going to help me set up a restricted bank account where we will be able to monitor the funds to make sure the money being sent is put towards Ron's tuition and immediate needs. I don't think this would be possible without her. Thanks Gylian!!!
Well, I know some amazing people who want to contribute to his high school tuition (which he alone cannot pay for) and I am putting together a short clip from an interview I did with him while in Kenya. They are raising the money as part of their Christmas gift giving. I will keep you posted as to how this goes. In the meantime a piece of my heart remains in Kenya with Ron while I try to fully function here....
