When Nicky Fowler and her husband experience a devastating tragedy, their marriage crumbles and Nicky is unable to cope with her ever-changed life. Desperate to flee from her current situation, she accepts a volunteer teaching position at an orphanage in Kenya, but finds that her new life is more difficult than she was expecting. Nicky seeks the aid of her host mother, Mama Bu, and over cups of chai tea Mama Bu offers perspective, bringing Nicky to some realizations about herself and life.