February 1, 2008
When we heard that the violence had died down in Nakuru we decided to return so that we could spend more time with Stella. We arrived at Stella's school and jumped right into Eastmore's daily routine. The girls were as welcoming the second time as they had been the first and we followed them to meals and entertainment and even shot as they prepared for bed and said their prayers.

February 2, 2008

On Sunday morning we were invited to film Eastmore's Pentecostal Service. The service was beautiful; many of the girls sang moving songs and lead the congregation in prayers. They seemed truly joyous singing in their simple room with no trappings of a church. It is evident that their faith is deep and plays a central role in their lives.

After church we went with Stella to the Nakuru Show-grounds where Red Cross has set up a camp for displaced Kikuyus. Stella was eager to speak with everyone we came across and learn their story. It was here at the camp that the depth of Stella's compassion and tenderness because apparent. Children gathered around her upon arrival and she related to each of them with undivided attention and tenderness that they responded to immediately.

Stella interviewed the young and old and anyone who would share their story or opinion. Sometimes what the people said shocked us, many of the men called for war and voiced their willingness to send their children into battle for land. The women we spoke to were of a different mind and expressed a desire to end the cycle of revenge, life was struggle enough they said, sending their children to school and feeding their families had always been their single-minded purpose.

Stella also spoke to a girl of about 9 who, with her mother, had narrowly escaped the church burning in Eldoret several weeks earlier. She explained that she and her mother had jumped out the window as the church caught flame leaving behind her elderly grandmother who was to frail to escape. We were all very effected by what we saw and heard there, it was unlike anything any of us had ever seen.

February 4, 2008

After filming the weekly assembly, it was time for Stella to go to class and thus time for us to say goodbye. We left Stella with a small camera so that she can continue shooting video diaries about her daily experiences. We were very sad to go but our plans to return in April made the farewell easier for all of us. Evans, our driver, has also formed a friendship with Stella and he promised to try and bring her mother and his own family to visit her on visiting day.