Monday 6/8

Today was our first day of class and service learning projects. We had to be up at 6:15 and had breakfast at 6:45, then left at 7:15. We had Swahili lessons first, or were supposed to, but ended up having a lesson on the history of TCDC. Then we had a tour of the complex and tea. Then we went to our different agencies. I'm volunteering at an agency called Cradle of Love which is an orphanage for babies and toddlers. When we got there, we found out that the owner, who had been the one communicating with the professor about us volunteering, actually has been in Australia for two years and isn't expected back anytime soon. She had not communicated with anyone at the center about us so they weren't expecting us and had no idea what to do with us. We ended up getting a tour of all the different age groups and got to hold some little babies, then went back to the toddlers and held them for an hour or so and then helped feed them lunch. After that we returned to the center and had lunch. After lunch we were supposed to have class with our OU professors but some of the students still aren't here yet so instead we went to a Maasai cultural museum and a snake/monkey bird and turtle place that was like a zoo. We also went to a little place where there were a bunch of Maasai women's shops. Then we returned to our host families and had dinner and sat in the living room with them. It's only 7:50 and I'm exhausted. I was pretty tired before dinner but now I'm completely worn out. Hopefully I will sleep well and be less tired tomorrow. Here are some pictures from today:

(This was in the gift shop at the museum, mzingu is slang for white person)

(Just some scenery on the way there)