by Amara, age 9, asks about Christmas cactus, Mount Kenya, and Harambee
Dear Santa,
Hello from Nairobi. My name is Amara and I am 9 years old. In Kenya it is warm and sunny at Christmas, so we do not have snow, but we do have goat stew, singing, and my grandmother telling stories until very late. We also have a cat named Simba who thinks every plant in the house belongs to him.
That is why my first question is important. Are Christmas cactus plants poisonous to cats? My aunt is bringing one and I am worried about Simba.
My second question is about geography: what is the highest mountain in Kenya?
My third question is from school: what does the word Harambee mean and why is it important to Kenyans?
We will leave you a slice of my grandmother cake. Please do not let Simba near your sleigh.
Love, Amara, age 9, Nairobi, Kenya
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Amara, your grandmother cake is legendary even at the North Pole, so thank you in advance. Now let me put your worries to rest and answer your clever questions.
Are Christmas cactus plants poisonous to cats?
Good news for Simba. The Christmas cactus is not poisonous to cats. It is considered non-toxic, so it will not make him seriously ill. That said, if a curious cat eats a large amount of any plant, he might get a bit of an upset tummy, so it is still wise to keep the pot somewhere he cannot use it as a snack bar. Your aunt gift is safe to welcome into the home.
What is the highest mountain in Kenya?
The highest mountain in Kenya is Mount Kenya, rising to about 5,199 metres at its tallest peak, called Batian. It is the second highest mountain in all of Africa, just behind Mount Kilimanjaro next door in Tanzania. Even though Kenya sits near the equator where it is warm, Mount Kenya is so tall that it wears snow and ice near the top all year. Nature is full of surprises like that.
What does Harambee mean?
Harambee is a Swahili word that means let us all pull together. It is a wonderful idea about community, where neighbours join hands to help one another, whether that means building a school, raising money for a family in need, or bringing in a harvest. It became a rallying idea for Kenya, reminding everyone that big things are easier when people work together. I rather think my workshop runs on the very same principle.
Be kind, help your grandmother, and give Simba a scratch behind the ears from me.
Ho ho ho, Santa
