Let's Do Lunch!
November 8, 2010 By: Barbara King
On October 29th after our visit to Harambee Center, Micato Safaris and AmericaShare arranged a luncheon at Ole-Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, for Virtuoso's sponsoring children through AmericaShare and our sponsored children. Michael and I sponsor 2 children, Jane and Salim. Because she was sitting for her National exams, which will determine future educational options, Jane was unable to join us. Salim, 13, a smiling and shy teen who loves football (which we call soccer), music and pilau, a spicy Kenyan rice dish, joined us for lunch. Quiet at first, but after taking time to get reacquainted (our last visit was in 2005), Salim relaxed and enjoyed a meal any kid would love-hamburgers, pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
From a list of ideas for suggested gifts sent to us by AmericaShare, we brought Salim some pens, markers, and a t-shirt from the University of Kansas. Trying to find activities that might interest Salim, Michael rummaged through his backpack and found two electronic gadgets that captivated our Kenyan adolescent, an iPod and our digital camera. So, with Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" blasting in his ears, Salim roamed around the pool snapping photos.
Slipping into our parental role, Michael and I encouraged Salim to study hard, to do well so he could go on to college. My mind drifted back to the same adivce we gave our own kids, Lauren and Josh, members of what Michael has dubbed the LSC, Lucky Sperm Club. Michael and I, our kids, and our grandkids were born into loving economically stable families in the US. We didn't "do" anything to receive this gift, we "lucked" out. Our way of saying "thank you" for this treasured life, which I all too often take for granted is to "pay it forard," to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
Did you know Micato Safaris will pay for an African child's education for each safari they sell? It's called their "One for One Commitment" and it garnered the prestigious World Saver Award for Education Initiatives. What a wonderful opportunity to have fun and do good, go on safari AND educate a child! Won't you join us? http://americashare.org/howtohelp.php
For details about our custom Micato safari to Tanzania in 2012 or any Micato safari, contact Michael@greatgetaway.com.
Safari Njema (Have a good trip in Swahili)
