I’ll admit that my role with The 410 Bridge has it’s advantages. When the 2008 Daraja Children’s Choir was formed , I was able to meet all of the children well before they ever traveled to the US. When they arrived and began their tour, I was able to visit them more often than most. A real blessing. Without exception, all of the Daraja children were amazing, loving, wonderful kids.
And then I met Varel….
Even sitting here writing this, I smile as I remember our first interaction. Most of the kids were a bit shy, reserved, and cautious at first. Everyone knew that I was the director, and they were on their best behavior. Not Varel. She had an edge to her. A street-smart quality that allowed her to walk right up to me, put her hands on her hips and say, “My name is Varel! And YOU are?”
I smiled, introduced myself and from that moment on there was a connection.
Varel was tough and bold. Strong, yet vulnerable. Every time I got a chance to visit the choir, most of the kids would run over and swarm around looking for a hug (which is AWESOME). Not Varel. She would stand at a distance and look at me with a raised eyebrow as if to say “I’m tough, and I’m not like everyone else.” I could tell she was looking forward to sharing a hug too, but on her terms not mine. I’d smile and seek her out.
When our family decided to sponsor another child, there was no question in my mind that is should be Varel. We connected. I remember the conversations about her life. She grew up without a father and her mother’s health wasn’t very good. An education was something she planned to have, but she knew the realities and the odds were stacked against her. We talked about her views of the US; our culture compared to her own. We’d talk about her plans for the future. She had dreams, but they were precarious and only dreams.
I miss Varel dearly and even though I get to Kenya quite often, I don’t get a chance to see here nearly as often as I’d like. Varel is in Mt Kenya Girl’s Secondary School near Nanyuki. She’s doing well and making a life for herself.
There will come a time when she will graduate and move on with her life. The help our family provides every month for Varel to get a quality education will end in a couple years, but our relationship will not. I’m excited to watch Varel grow and understand what it means to be a Godly woman, a Godly wife, and a Godly mother. I’m really, really excited for her and we’re blessed to have been a small part of her life.
Kurt
