At first glance it may seem unbelievable to you that we assist to employ a cook to do all the cooking, a guard to watch out over us and the compound and a maid who does the laundry, but this is the reality of what is going on…when God gives anyone in Kenya the ability to pay someone to do these jobs they are helping them provide for their own families. Even though I could do my own laundry (which I did with a few items and it took me about an hour to wash, rinse, rinse again very well, ring out then hang outside to dry) we are helping multiple families by allowing them to do what they do for the family. In addition, the amount we pay is around $50…..A MONTH.
We see this not only in our home but also in the village. Someone will offer to help carry your purchases to the car hoping for a small token of your appreciation (20 shillings is the standard in Tala – about 25 cents)…it’s the opportunity to help another without them feeling like they are begging (although we do have people who beg here too). I learned this lesson too late for one gentleman. I went to a store to buy eggs (actually a kiosk but we call them stores). Pauline had told me approximately how much the eggs should cost (another aspect I’m learning – most everything is negotiable) and when I went to purchase them it was about 100 shilling more so I questioned the shop owner. He didn’t speak English so another customer helped with the translation and when I asked if I was getting the “mzungu (white)” price the shop owner came down 60 shilling. Another lesson, always have Pauline or Gideon give us a price before purchasing anything so we aren’t taken advantage of. When I turned to leave the shop with my eggs (they were in crates of 36 and I had 2 crates) the customer who helped me offered to take them to the car. Now me being an “American woman” I thought “hey I can carry my own eggs thank you very much” and I insisted on taking them to the car myself, only later to find out this offer to help is common practice for people so they can do something small and be paid the 20 shilling for their assistance.
It is a living example of when St. Paul says “… [he] must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” Ephesians 4:28
Unemployment may be high, jobs are simply not available, but some are attempting to do “something useful” and I pray I can leave behind my American can-do attitude a bit and allow others to help and be helped.