I arrived at Mama Mary's to find her warm, lovely and quite welcoming. She is really a bibi (Kiswahilli) or shosho (KiKukuyu) meaning grandmother. She is an extremely hard worker, one would hardly believe she was an IDP only three years ago! She and most of her family were moved here after the post election violence from Narakot. Only one of her daughters stayed since she was married to a Maasai. She used the capital the government gave all IDPs to buy land just away from the camp areas and create a small farm. Through that she earned more to build her home and more land for more farming, even supposting other women by paying them to work her shamba (farm). She tapped a spring and collects water. So, the entire community comes to Mama's to get vegetables and water. She charges a small fee, but she earned it, too! Capitalism at its most basic.
She takes care on one granddaughter full time, as her mom passed away and her dad works full time in Nairobi. Shaline (5), is her name and she is adorable!! She speaks mainly Kikuyu and so with my English and her understanding of broken Kiswahili, we have lovely silly conversations! We sing and dance mostly. Mama has four other grandchildren nearby, Yvonne (14), Victor (10), Happiness (6), and Glenn (3 and lil' girl). They come by to play, eat, hang out with Shosho -the usual things children do when the visit their grandmothers. She has one other grandchild, Kim (2 and lil' boy) he has come to stay for a few weeks while his mom is out of town. Kim is stubborn, potty training, tough, acts just like an only child and loves his aunt Jennifer. He says "mimi, mimi" (meaning ME!! Hold ME!!) every time he sees me come home. He cannot stand for anyone else to have my attention.
Loving my home life!
Badaye!