Nairobi turned grey and thin; breath showed in the kitchen doorway. We fired the jiko, kept the office warm enough to chop onions without shivering, and stirred pots until the steam fogged the window facing the lane.
Children arrived with jerseys tied at the waist and stories about cold classrooms. We served lunch while programmes ran first — a little learning, a little play — then bowls, spoons, the soft scrape of githeri finished to the last grain.
We love this part: the noise level rising, someone teasing someone else about taking two pieces of meat, a grandmother asking for a little more soup for a shy grandchild.
Bring a skill, not just a cheque
Institutions that can send instructors — art, music, carpentry, coding basics — help children pick up tools we never had at their age. If your company runs volunteer days, propose ETCO; we will schedule around the meal and the weather.
