Family Life:

Throughout intense vocabulary lessons, learning how to hand wash my clothes, discovering new foods and ways of cooking, learning how to milk cows, and generally becoming acquainted with Kotido culture I have been stretched to see the world through a new lens. But one aspect of my host family is exactly the same as my family in the States: home is where I am energized and feel utterly accepted and loved. 

One evening I decided to sit in the courtyard outside my room and use the last bit of daylight to catch up on some much needed journaling. Since supper is eaten around 7:00 in Kotido I thought I would have plenty of time. Initially I wasn’t noticed but then my host father Romano saw me sitting on the cement, he was horrified and insisted that I allow him to get me a chair. When I explained that I enjoy sitting on the ground he looked genuinely shocked and then contended that I should at least sit on a mat. I obliged his request and retreated into my room, grabbed my mat, and spread it in the courtyard where I had been sitting.

I journaled awhile longer but Romano came back shortly with a reclining lawn chair and a battery powered lamp. By that time the kids had figured out where I was. Ana and Peter (the twins) were the first to enter. Earlier that day I had given them toy cars and they began playing with them on the mat almost immediately. Then Margret, the youngest, entered to vie for a place on the mat and to play with her car.

A few minutes later Adome and Adocto entered (they have been “adopted” by the family so they can attend school); first they were interested in what I was doing but then they began their vocabulary game with me: pointing to everything, naming it, and making me repeat it. Finally Lopera and Amol (also “adopted” for educational reasons) came in.

I surrendered my journaling when the vocabulary lesson commenced. We began singing songs from church and school, many that I already knew and many that I have now learned. We moved into traditional Karamajong songs and dances after that, the courtyard was lit by the full moon overhead and the small lamp Romano had given me. It was more than enough.

Soon Maria, my host mother, came to the courtyard door to call us for supper. We all tumbled over to the kitchen and enjoyed fresh rice, beans, greens, and soup. It was an evening to remember and reminded me to choose to “carpe diem” or to “live in the moment.” 

Loperra teaching me how to prepare pumpkin

Adocto helping out with the dishes

Amol standing next to the dish drying rack

Ana, Margret, and Peter playing with their cars

Peter holding one of the many goats around the compound

Adome holding Whitehouse (the daughter of Obama)