A Day with Sudanese Refugees in Kenya

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Sudanese worship service in the slum of Gethrie. This church is made up of several Sudanese believers who made their way to Kenya during the last war in Sudan escaping the danger and devastation of Southern Sudan. They now live a very different existence than they did in Sudan. Life is hard, but here they have many more opportunities for education and occupation than in the villages of Sudan.

The church is made up of several different tribes and I was thrilled to recognize immediately some people from the Maaban tribe I work with. Their bone structure is distinctive and beautiful. My heart was warmed as they sang familiar songs in Arabic and Maaban.

The service began about 10am and we left at 2:45 with it still going. They sang for about 1 1/2 hours and then two different people gave messages. Both brought much political content into their messages as the historic Referendum begins in just seven days. They encouraged their people to vote. Nairobi will have two poling locations for this to occur for the thousands of Sudanese refugees who have made their home here. We had the opportunity to look at a sample ballot. There is just once question--unity or secession. The people will dip their finger and place it next to the word which they believe will bring the most hope for them. For the illiterate majority there are two pictures. One is of two clasped hands and the other is one palm facing outward. Two hands-unity with the North. One hand--secession. In church they said the one hand with palm facing outward is waving "bye-bye" to the North.

Getting there from my flat involved four city buses--a truly immersed cultural experience and miles of walking. On the way I passed thousands of people, many with the pain of a difficult life written on their faces. City life is still overwhelming to me following months of living in the bush, but I do see there is much to learn, to understand the people for whom this teaming city is home, to give to those in need and to share a smile and a gentle encouragement with a touch to the beggars arms. This was my second slum to spend time in and again I was struck by how monochromatic the surroundings are--shades of gray. I want to know their stories. I am certain they are not without color.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia