Ok, so let me preface this with I should probably not put this on the world wide web because I will be gossiping and it's not good to talk about other people and all that jazz so I will make this short and sweet.
I, Kate Kelley, am a sucker. I REFUSE to believe that people are as incapable as they appear. These "people" include whites, blacks, cubans, and asians. I just don't get it. I refuse to believe it. Rather, I choose to believe that people know I will get it done so are just too lazy to do it themselves but when there is too, too, too much to get done, nothing ends up getting done if it's only one person. It seems that only my mother and I truly understand what I have to work with (meaning my mental capacity). If I can do it people, you can to!
Lesson #1 - A good team is invaluable.
Lesson #2 - Most people are either stupid or lazy (and I don't believe anyone is stupid, so, ya)
Lesson #3 - I am quite possibly the worse delegator in the world (but see #1)
Lesson #4 - I have so far to go in terms of management skill (but I am so much closer than I was)
Lesson #5 - A good team is invaluable.
Lesson #6 - When I have too many tasks, I don't do anything well, and I mean, anything!
Lesson #7 - See Lesson #1 and #5
So, that was me venting, thanks!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
My Family WILL BE a Basketball Playing Rainbow - Update #3
If there was any doubt before I came to Rwanda that I would be adopting multiple children from any and all nationalities/ethnicities, let this serve as the official documentation that it is going to happen (and I cannot wait).
Basketball camp has been a blessing. Last weekend was the last session (until the closing ceremony in May). The kids are just amazing. We have really had the opportunity to build a relationship and I intend to continue it by visiting them at Prison Fellowship until I leave. Working with them has been so rewarding. They have been a blessing my life and I am just so thankful. I wish you could all be there for the camps. You would love it!
The kids are just starting to catch on. Per usual, some are better than others and some of the boys have really picked it up. During our scrimmages, they actually look somewhat organized (emphasis on somewhat). We have four teams and when the two teams are playing, the other two have to stand around the court and cheer. We sing songs and make up cheers and you should see them all when someone scores. It's hilarious. The games are usually only 10 minutes long so the score is usually 4-2 or 6-4 if they're "on". Scoring a basket is basically like scoring a goal in futbol, when it happens, it's rare and it's exciting! When they score, it is usually followed by fist-pumps, skipping, jumping and a whole lot of cheering. It's hard to manage the kids on the sideline because after one basket they all want to storm the court. I can't really describe it accurately with words, it's just pure joy.
The kids are changing too, which leads me to my "basketball playing rainbow colored family." Being with these kids gives you the chance to see that all children are the same. All they want is some good lovin! Me, being the "hug machine" that I am, am all about it. The kids are just aching for some affection and luckily, that is easy for me to give. It's amazing to see that all they want is someone to care about them and offer some structure. For instance, I have one guy who is about 24. We are always joking around and, as of late, as been very helpful with managing the younger kids. Well, like many of the older street kids, he uses drugs. They all smoke some kind of ganja plant (I don't know what it is called). Anyway, he has a necklace with the leaf on it that he wore to camp one day, every time I was near him, I would put it in his shirt so you could not see it. He would take it out, I would put it back. Well, the next week, another one of the boys had a sweatband with the plant on it. I took it from him and wore it myself, inside out. The other boy saw me take it, ran up to me with a big smile and showed me that he was not wearing his necklace that week. He also scolded the other boy for wearing the band, explaining it was bad. Will they smoke this week? Are they smoking now, probably! But, at least they know that I care that they don't and somewhere in their minds, maybe in a very, very small way, that matters.
Back to my family, being with these kids has once again showed me that I really want to have my home for kids between the ages of 7-19. There is so much there and they are just forgotten because they are not as cute and cuddly has the young ones. Working with them is so rewarding. People always say how rare it is to see real transformation and/or how difficult and potentially disappointing it can be to work with teens but I think change is possible. I know that if I had their experiences and survived what they have survived, I wouldn't be transformed over night either.
All you need is love people!
Speaking of love, if anyone knows any men between the ages of 25-32, preferably tall (at least 5'11) with some meat on their bones, who would also like to have this kind of non-traditional (but awesome) family...hook-it up (some basketball skills preferred but not required).
Basketball camp has been a blessing. Last weekend was the last session (until the closing ceremony in May). The kids are just amazing. We have really had the opportunity to build a relationship and I intend to continue it by visiting them at Prison Fellowship until I leave. Working with them has been so rewarding. They have been a blessing my life and I am just so thankful. I wish you could all be there for the camps. You would love it!
The kids are just starting to catch on. Per usual, some are better than others and some of the boys have really picked it up. During our scrimmages, they actually look somewhat organized (emphasis on somewhat). We have four teams and when the two teams are playing, the other two have to stand around the court and cheer. We sing songs and make up cheers and you should see them all when someone scores. It's hilarious. The games are usually only 10 minutes long so the score is usually 4-2 or 6-4 if they're "on". Scoring a basket is basically like scoring a goal in futbol, when it happens, it's rare and it's exciting! When they score, it is usually followed by fist-pumps, skipping, jumping and a whole lot of cheering. It's hard to manage the kids on the sideline because after one basket they all want to storm the court. I can't really describe it accurately with words, it's just pure joy.
The kids are changing too, which leads me to my "basketball playing rainbow colored family." Being with these kids gives you the chance to see that all children are the same. All they want is some good lovin! Me, being the "hug machine" that I am, am all about it. The kids are just aching for some affection and luckily, that is easy for me to give. It's amazing to see that all they want is someone to care about them and offer some structure. For instance, I have one guy who is about 24. We are always joking around and, as of late, as been very helpful with managing the younger kids. Well, like many of the older street kids, he uses drugs. They all smoke some kind of ganja plant (I don't know what it is called). Anyway, he has a necklace with the leaf on it that he wore to camp one day, every time I was near him, I would put it in his shirt so you could not see it. He would take it out, I would put it back. Well, the next week, another one of the boys had a sweatband with the plant on it. I took it from him and wore it myself, inside out. The other boy saw me take it, ran up to me with a big smile and showed me that he was not wearing his necklace that week. He also scolded the other boy for wearing the band, explaining it was bad. Will they smoke this week? Are they smoking now, probably! But, at least they know that I care that they don't and somewhere in their minds, maybe in a very, very small way, that matters.
Back to my family, being with these kids has once again showed me that I really want to have my home for kids between the ages of 7-19. There is so much there and they are just forgotten because they are not as cute and cuddly has the young ones. Working with them is so rewarding. People always say how rare it is to see real transformation and/or how difficult and potentially disappointing it can be to work with teens but I think change is possible. I know that if I had their experiences and survived what they have survived, I wouldn't be transformed over night either.
All you need is love people!
Speaking of love, if anyone knows any men between the ages of 25-32, preferably tall (at least 5'11) with some meat on their bones, who would also like to have this kind of non-traditional (but awesome) family...hook-it up (some basketball skills preferred but not required).
Ohhhh Technology - Update #2
My computer is broken (as of approximately 10 days ago)...I spilt NanoGreens (its a powder that you shake in a cup with 8oz of water. It alledgedly has 10 servings worth of fruits and vegetables per scoop)
Anyway, I was shake, shake, shaking it and the cap popped off soooo, I got NanoGreens all over my clothes, my bed and ahhhhh my computer. Supposedly it got in the motherboard...who knows. All I know is that it is not working, it has all my pictures on it and I am NOT very happy about it.
Maybe it can be fixed at home? I hope so, I don't really trust the effort here, not a whole lota pride in the work going on...
Anyway, I was shake, shake, shaking it and the cap popped off soooo, I got NanoGreens all over my clothes, my bed and ahhhhh my computer. Supposedly it got in the motherboard...who knows. All I know is that it is not working, it has all my pictures on it and I am NOT very happy about it.
Maybe it can be fixed at home? I hope so, I don't really trust the effort here, not a whole lota pride in the work going on...
Ready, Set, GO - Update #1
Ok, so, as you may have noticed, I have not been writing in my blog at all lately. I apologize!! I'm sure you're all at the edge of your seats everyday to hear the latest of Kate's life in Rwanda (kidding, Paula!) But, all joking aside, I have not been great with keeping in touch and I promised I would. To make up for it, I am going to bombard you with blog posts. So much as been going on that I haven't had the time to sit down and just write.
In the interest of saving you time and not boring you to pieces with a rambling books worth of content, I am splitting up the posts...you will see the headings, Update 1, 2, etc. That way it will just make sense and they will be short(er) reads…
Basically, I have been doing so much learning here that it's just unbelievable. I never in a million years expected to have these experiences and I have no idea what God has planned for me but I think it is more than I ever imagined (otherwise, He is really just toying with me).
Anyway, most important parts of this update are: 1) I'm alive; 2) I'm sorry; 3) I'm shocked how busy I am and how much I'm learning; 4) I really do love you all more than you would think given my absence from blogging; 4) Thank you Jesus for rising from the dead today to save us from ourselves; 5) The Easter Bunny did NOT come or he did an exceptionally fabulous job this year hiding my basket.
HAPPY EASTER!
In the interest of saving you time and not boring you to pieces with a rambling books worth of content, I am splitting up the posts...you will see the headings, Update 1, 2, etc. That way it will just make sense and they will be short(er) reads…
Basically, I have been doing so much learning here that it's just unbelievable. I never in a million years expected to have these experiences and I have no idea what God has planned for me but I think it is more than I ever imagined (otherwise, He is really just toying with me).
Anyway, most important parts of this update are: 1) I'm alive; 2) I'm sorry; 3) I'm shocked how busy I am and how much I'm learning; 4) I really do love you all more than you would think given my absence from blogging; 4) Thank you Jesus for rising from the dead today to save us from ourselves; 5) The Easter Bunny did NOT come or he did an exceptionally fabulous job this year hiding my basket.
HAPPY EASTER!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Life Without My Computer
My computer broke and I am not happy about it! I love it. Love.
Aside from that, I am doing a lot of self-reflecting and realizing what a psycho I am. Or, I should say, how warped my mentality is. I am a crazy worker, like non-stop (and I don't think I even accomplish that much). I am here in Rwanda, stressed out and I cannot figure out why I allow things, like work, to get to me. It's truly amazing how worked up I can get. You'd think that I was responsible for everything and anything in the world. I must just have a major ego problem. Everyone around me is so capable but so very few actually take the initiative which is really frustrating. But, starting next week a couple more of the PLP guys will be back so they will help a ton. I just have to focus on r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g or at least managing my time better. There is enough work between W2R, AWF and the bball camp to stay busy for 24hrs a day and so far, I am letting it take over. I have actually made myself sick! I've got a headache, borderline swollen glands and no voice (but I have been told I talk too much so that could be the reason as well). It shows me that I have to prioritize. In my head, I think a hard worker is someone who is constantly working and usually stressed...I don't think that is the only way to be. I think I can still be a hard worker...in moderation (haha, story of my life, moderation and I are not friends). So, basically, Rwanda has been a mirror and I'm not loving what I see. Thankfully I know I'll never be prefect but I sure hope someday soon I will be relaxed. I'm learning so much here!! I'm so thankful.
For bball camp, I am a slacker and am behind on my newsletters but like I said earlier, I am working like crazy and there just aren't enough hours. So, it will get done and I'm sorry for the delay.
Basketball yesterday was the best one yet. The older boys have really started to step up. They were directing people to the right positions, being vocal, enthusiastic, and so helpful! We had a dance/rap session and played games. I am so proud of all of them. As for the younger ones, 4-9, it was not as positive of an experience. Yesterday it was a sob-fest. According to Rachel, they cried the entire time. We had a counselor working with us and she was saying one of the reasons they may have acted like that is because now they know they will get the attention. They are so used to being ignored or turned away that now that they know we are here and we care, they can let it out and cry. They know their crying will get them some loving so they do it. Knowing that breaks my heart that next week is the last week! We’ve just started our relationship. I can't believe it...
I miss you all and LOVE you.
Aside from that, I am doing a lot of self-reflecting and realizing what a psycho I am. Or, I should say, how warped my mentality is. I am a crazy worker, like non-stop (and I don't think I even accomplish that much). I am here in Rwanda, stressed out and I cannot figure out why I allow things, like work, to get to me. It's truly amazing how worked up I can get. You'd think that I was responsible for everything and anything in the world. I must just have a major ego problem. Everyone around me is so capable but so very few actually take the initiative which is really frustrating. But, starting next week a couple more of the PLP guys will be back so they will help a ton. I just have to focus on r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g or at least managing my time better. There is enough work between W2R, AWF and the bball camp to stay busy for 24hrs a day and so far, I am letting it take over. I have actually made myself sick! I've got a headache, borderline swollen glands and no voice (but I have been told I talk too much so that could be the reason as well). It shows me that I have to prioritize. In my head, I think a hard worker is someone who is constantly working and usually stressed...I don't think that is the only way to be. I think I can still be a hard worker...in moderation (haha, story of my life, moderation and I are not friends). So, basically, Rwanda has been a mirror and I'm not loving what I see. Thankfully I know I'll never be prefect but I sure hope someday soon I will be relaxed. I'm learning so much here!! I'm so thankful.
For bball camp, I am a slacker and am behind on my newsletters but like I said earlier, I am working like crazy and there just aren't enough hours. So, it will get done and I'm sorry for the delay.
Basketball yesterday was the best one yet. The older boys have really started to step up. They were directing people to the right positions, being vocal, enthusiastic, and so helpful! We had a dance/rap session and played games. I am so proud of all of them. As for the younger ones, 4-9, it was not as positive of an experience. Yesterday it was a sob-fest. According to Rachel, they cried the entire time. We had a counselor working with us and she was saying one of the reasons they may have acted like that is because now they know they will get the attention. They are so used to being ignored or turned away that now that they know we are here and we care, they can let it out and cry. They know their crying will get them some loving so they do it. Knowing that breaks my heart that next week is the last week! We’ve just started our relationship. I can't believe it...
I miss you all and LOVE you.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
But she's pink!
So, I finally met Rica, the woman that is the reason I came here. We met at Bourbon Coffee (the hot spot in Kigali) randomly last Saturday. I was with Marc and Dadi because we were supposed to meet with the Mkting Manager and a young girl came up to our table and started rubbing my hair (which was down) and said "are you called Kate?" As she continued to run her fingers through my hair, I looked at her and was trying to figure out who she was. I had no idea so just answered, "yes" and as I looked up I saw her mom, Rica. It was so great to see her. She is such a wonderful lady and we plan to meet up soon for lunch.
Anyway, the girl (6), I forget her name, and her brother (7) came back over to our table and started playing with Dadi and Marc. The son went through his homework with Dadi and the girl was busy basically beating up Marc. After about 10 mins, the girl looks at me, then looks at Marc and says to Marc, "is she your sister?" He said "yes" and then without a pause she asked if I was older or younger and then she got a very puzzled look on her face...she looked at Marc, she looked at me, and then said, "but, she's pink."
It was great! We all started laughing because she was so serious and so confused. I completely forgot that story until I saw Marc today and he reminded me, I knew you guys would like it so I thought I'd share!
I am so happy here. I feel like I have been given the gift of brothers. GLeo is my numero uno brother but now I have a couple. It's so great and I am so blessed.
LOVE YOU.
Anyway, the girl (6), I forget her name, and her brother (7) came back over to our table and started playing with Dadi and Marc. The son went through his homework with Dadi and the girl was busy basically beating up Marc. After about 10 mins, the girl looks at me, then looks at Marc and says to Marc, "is she your sister?" He said "yes" and then without a pause she asked if I was older or younger and then she got a very puzzled look on her face...she looked at Marc, she looked at me, and then said, "but, she's pink."
It was great! We all started laughing because she was so serious and so confused. I completely forgot that story until I saw Marc today and he reminded me, I knew you guys would like it so I thought I'd share!
I am so happy here. I feel like I have been given the gift of brothers. GLeo is my numero uno brother but now I have a couple. It's so great and I am so blessed.
LOVE YOU.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Have I told you lately how much I LOVE the kids at the basketball camp? If not, I do. Every Saturday I leave thinking I cannot wait to have my chubba lubba babies! Also, I am officially adopting. I think I'll have one, adopt one, have one, adopt one. I will obviously have to clear that with the future hubby (wherever he is) but I think we'll be on the same page and if he needs convincing we can just take a quick trip back here. I'm thinking I'll adopt from the US and from Rwanda but, only time will tell. Per usual, I've got big plans! But, I will admit, that the best times in my life so far were not part of my plans so I’m going to just go with the flow.
Also, everyone has said that Rwanda is lucky for love...meaning that there are a bunch of stories of women coming here and then going home and BAM they meet their man sooooo, yeah, watch out now. I obviously have no expectation but I am quickly approaching 26 so it's time to get focused! I will say that it will be weird to see all those umuzungu men around but I will adjust.
Other than that, we had a training session today in preparation for Walk to Remember. We had the Rwandan Representatives come to the Kigali Memorial Center to do a tour and participate in various discussion groups – one on counseling trauma cases , another on their feelings/concerns, and one on the history. It was so interesting to hear their thoughts. Many of the participants are survivors who lost their parents in the genocide and everyone in the room had lost a family member or friend. It was fascinating to hear them speak. A couple had mentioned their fear of traveling to the other countries unprotected. As survivors, they fear the perpetrators who fled to those countries will attack them. Unfortunately, it is a real fear and it never crossed my mind. It shows me how limited my understanding is of the real issues here. Even here it is so easy to get lost in the day to day activities and ignore the fact that only 15 years ago over one million people were murdered here. I read a quote today at the memorial today that really struck me, “But the genocidaires did not kill a million people. They killed one, then another, then another… day after day, hour after hour, minute by minute. Every minute of the day, someone, somewhere was being murdered, screaming for mercy. Receiving none. And the killing went on and on and on…10,000 each day, 400 each hour, 7 each minute, That’s approximately 100 murders since you started this exhibition…another 200 murders before you leave the building…24 hours a day, non-stop for 100 days.” It’s just so unbelievable to me. I cannot believe that it was possible and the experiences of these people my age and younger. A third of them witnessed this kind of violence; some of them potentially saw their parents and siblings murdered at seven. At seven, you have your memory, they carry those images with them…it’s too much to think about and I will never understand. I will say though, from the group that I have met so far, they smile, they laugh, and they are just wonderful.
So, this blog went from light to heavy but that was my day.
I heart you all BIGTIME.
Also, everyone has said that Rwanda is lucky for love...meaning that there are a bunch of stories of women coming here and then going home and BAM they meet their man sooooo, yeah, watch out now. I obviously have no expectation but I am quickly approaching 26 so it's time to get focused! I will say that it will be weird to see all those umuzungu men around but I will adjust.
Other than that, we had a training session today in preparation for Walk to Remember. We had the Rwandan Representatives come to the Kigali Memorial Center to do a tour and participate in various discussion groups – one on counseling trauma cases , another on their feelings/concerns, and one on the history. It was so interesting to hear their thoughts. Many of the participants are survivors who lost their parents in the genocide and everyone in the room had lost a family member or friend. It was fascinating to hear them speak. A couple had mentioned their fear of traveling to the other countries unprotected. As survivors, they fear the perpetrators who fled to those countries will attack them. Unfortunately, it is a real fear and it never crossed my mind. It shows me how limited my understanding is of the real issues here. Even here it is so easy to get lost in the day to day activities and ignore the fact that only 15 years ago over one million people were murdered here. I read a quote today at the memorial today that really struck me, “But the genocidaires did not kill a million people. They killed one, then another, then another… day after day, hour after hour, minute by minute. Every minute of the day, someone, somewhere was being murdered, screaming for mercy. Receiving none. And the killing went on and on and on…10,000 each day, 400 each hour, 7 each minute, That’s approximately 100 murders since you started this exhibition…another 200 murders before you leave the building…24 hours a day, non-stop for 100 days.” It’s just so unbelievable to me. I cannot believe that it was possible and the experiences of these people my age and younger. A third of them witnessed this kind of violence; some of them potentially saw their parents and siblings murdered at seven. At seven, you have your memory, they carry those images with them…it’s too much to think about and I will never understand. I will say though, from the group that I have met so far, they smile, they laugh, and they are just wonderful.
So, this blog went from light to heavy but that was my day.
I heart you all BIGTIME.
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