Jamea J. Sale, PhD

Sitting on the guesthouse porch making plans upon the first day of our return to Kapkemich, Kenya, I pondered our previous experience. I wondered how the skills previously taught were being used and what the students and teachers recalled. Almost a year had passed since our first teaching trip in March 2023.

I heard a small voice call my name at that moment, but I could see no one. Then I realized the voice was coming from a tree overlooking our front yard where a young boy was perched, hugely smiling. It was Charles, a delightful student from Kapkemich Primary Secondary School who happened to live next door.

Charles made a unique connection with the Kenya Krew last year. We never had an opportunity to look closely at Charles because he would crouch deep in the roadside bushes, watching for us along the road as we conducted our music-teaching activities. Without fail, he would say, "Hello, Jamea, Niccole, and Christine." So, we found ourselves chuckling while addressing greetings to a disembodied voice in the shrubs.

It seemed a great gift when Charles fully revealed himself in the tree and proceeded to converse. I was astonished that he recalled our names but more surprised when he voluntarily sang a perfect rendition of Che, Che, Kule, an African children's song we shared with the primary students a year ago.

What a heartwarming and delightful encounter with this young Kenyan boy! It's incredible how connections formed during our teaching trip a year ago have lingered and left a lasting impact. With his shy but endearing gestures, Charles seems to embody the curiosity and warmth that can thrive in cross-cultural exchanges. Enjoy this recording of Charles singing. It was a precious and unexpected gift.

Charles singing from the tree.