Day One – Thursday 14th July
At 2:30 pm the Coggeshall Youth Group met for the bus before driving to Chelmsford and picking up the remainder of the Kenya Group and heading off to Heathrow airport. We left London at 9 pm for a 9 hour flight and arriving at 7 am Kenyan time.
At 2:30 pm the Coggeshall Youth Group met for the bus before driving to Chelmsford and picking up the remainder of the Kenya Group and heading off to Heathrow airport. We left London at 9 pm for a 9 hour flight and arriving at 7 am Kenyan time.
Day Two – Friday 15th July
After all the travelling of the previous day everyone was tired but glad to arrive in Nairobi safely. On the outskirts of the city we visited a non-profitable charity called ‘Alive and Kicking’ where many of the local people work to produce footballs by hand these are bought for schools all over Kenya. We collected several balls to be used for St. Andrews Girls School. After this the group continues onto Thika where we had lunch before arriving in Kabare in the early afternoon. After such a tiring journey everyone eagerly had an early night.
After all the travelling of the previous day everyone was tired but glad to arrive in Nairobi safely. On the outskirts of the city we visited a non-profitable charity called ‘Alive and Kicking’ where many of the local people work to produce footballs by hand these are bought for schools all over Kenya. We collected several balls to be used for St. Andrews Girls School. After this the group continues onto Thika where we had lunch before arriving in Kabare in the early afternoon. After such a tiring journey everyone eagerly had an early night.
Day Three – Saturday 16th July
In the morning we were invited into St. Andrews School to meet the pupils there as well as present the large amounts of sports equipment we brought for them. These included a play park, three badminton courts, a television, a volleyball pitch, a netball pitch and a table tennis table, all of which were funded through fundraising in the form of quiz nights and cake sales. We also got to meet the pupils of the school and played games with them in the afternoon on the new sport equipment and got to know them through question and answer sessions. It striked me how polite the children were are compared to those in Britain as they showed much more respect to staff and visitors. In the evening there was a fellowship in Kabare High School where we are asked questions by the girls about British culture as well as having time for praying and singing.
In the morning we were invited into St. Andrews School to meet the pupils there as well as present the large amounts of sports equipment we brought for them. These included a play park, three badminton courts, a television, a volleyball pitch, a netball pitch and a table tennis table, all of which were funded through fundraising in the form of quiz nights and cake sales. We also got to meet the pupils of the school and played games with them in the afternoon on the new sport equipment and got to know them through question and answer sessions. It striked me how polite the children were are compared to those in Britain as they showed much more respect to staff and visitors. In the evening there was a fellowship in Kabare High School where we are asked questions by the girls about British culture as well as having time for praying and singing.
Day Four – Sunday 17th July
As it was Sunday we had an early start for Church as we were with St Andrews Girls School at St Andrews Church. This truly showed us the vibrant welcoming nature of the Kenyans and how they want us to get a glimpse of their culture. The rest of the day was spent at the school; mostly playing with the children on their new games as well as getting the chance to purchase Kenyan style Sunday wear dresses! In the evening we shared worship in the school with plenty of singing and dancing which made us feel like true Kenyans.
As it was Sunday we had an early start for Church as we were with St Andrews Girls School at St Andrews Church. This truly showed us the vibrant welcoming nature of the Kenyans and how they want us to get a glimpse of their culture. The rest of the day was spent at the school; mostly playing with the children on their new games as well as getting the chance to purchase Kenyan style Sunday wear dresses! In the evening we shared worship in the school with plenty of singing and dancing which made us feel like true Kenyans.
Day Five – Monday 18th July
We were into two different groups, one for painting and another for working in the school and invidulating their exams. In the morning I sat through two different exams as well as marking some too, these determine whether the girls carry onto the next year or not. The afternoon was far more hands on as we begin to paint the massive library in the Theological College and I could feel this was going to be a great challenge!
We were into two different groups, one for painting and another for working in the school and invidulating their exams. In the morning I sat through two different exams as well as marking some too, these determine whether the girls carry onto the next year or not. The afternoon was far more hands on as we begin to paint the massive library in the Theological College and I could feel this was going to be a great challenge!
Day Six – Tuesday 19th July
Today had much the same routine as yesterday, with sports in the morning instead of invidulating but painting the library all afternoon. The library started to look far crisper and cleaner than when we began.
Day Seven – Wednesday 20th July
My group worked on the library all day which although was tiring was very rewarding as the whole job was almost completely finished. We were invited to have tea and fruit snacks in the head teacher’s house on the premises which was a great privilege for us and shows how welcome we were in Kenya.
My group worked on the library all day which although was tiring was very rewarding as the whole job was almost completely finished. We were invited to have tea and fruit snacks in the head teacher’s house on the premises which was a great privilege for us and shows how welcome we were in Kenya.
Day Eight – Thursday 21st July
My group invidulated in the morning in the same classes as before but the afternoon was spent out on the sports pitch with a volleyball match between England and Kenya which although we lost was great fun for everyone! We also received our Kenyan Sunday Church outfits which will surely come in useful for our visit to the cathedral this Sunday.
My group invidulated in the morning in the same classes as before but the afternoon was spent out on the sports pitch with a volleyball match between England and Kenya which although we lost was great fun for everyone! We also received our Kenyan Sunday Church outfits which will surely come in useful for our visit to the cathedral this Sunday.
Day Nine – Friday 22nd July
Today was the final day in the school which made me realise how much I would miss this school and the welcoming people here. To celebrate our being there as well as the contact made there for years to come we shared in a meal with the staff and then had a farewell presentation with plenty of songs and prayers. There was also sadness that we were leaving. We also all got the chance to plant a tree each, all twenty of us (!), which was a great honour for any guests in Kenya which showed how much our visit means to the school. There was also the opportunity to have a whole school photograph, as one had never been produced before, with us included of course! In the evening Canon Moses, who works at the Theological College, ate with us which was a great honour.
Today was the final day in the school which made me realise how much I would miss this school and the welcoming people here. To celebrate our being there as well as the contact made there for years to come we shared in a meal with the staff and then had a farewell presentation with plenty of songs and prayers. There was also sadness that we were leaving. We also all got the chance to plant a tree each, all twenty of us (!), which was a great honour for any guests in Kenya which showed how much our visit means to the school. There was also the opportunity to have a whole school photograph, as one had never been produced before, with us included of course! In the evening Canon Moses, who works at the Theological College, ate with us which was a great honour.
Day Ten – Saturday 23rd July
We visited Utugi, which is a children’s home for street children, and saw the football pitch which was created by Chelmsford Diocese two years ago. Here we had fruit and tea and a service which was fronted by Sister Phyllis with plenty of singing! Unfortunately most of the group were feeling ill from a previous meal, as is very common in Kenya. This made the day less successful as it could have been and the scorching heat made many activities harder to do. So it was agreed that we will take our final day easier.
We visited Utugi, which is a children’s home for street children, and saw the football pitch which was created by Chelmsford Diocese two years ago. Here we had fruit and tea and a service which was fronted by Sister Phyllis with plenty of singing! Unfortunately most of the group were feeling ill from a previous meal, as is very common in Kenya. This made the day less successful as it could have been and the scorching heat made many activities harder to do. So it was agreed that we will take our final day easier.
Day Eleven – Sunday 24th July
In the morning we attended Embu’s Anglican Cathedral which showed the difference in styles of worship, with the church displaying far more dance and singing than the majority of British churches. We also had tea afterwards and went to one of the priest’s houses. In the afternoon we had prayer, meeting and packing time as we have to leave Kabare the next day which saddened me greatly as we were just getting used to the routine and the people who accommodated us here.
In the morning we attended Embu’s Anglican Cathedral which showed the difference in styles of worship, with the church displaying far more dance and singing than the majority of British churches. We also had tea afterwards and went to one of the priest’s houses. In the afternoon we had prayer, meeting and packing time as we have to leave Kabare the next day which saddened me greatly as we were just getting used to the routine and the people who accommodated us here.
Day Twelve – Monday 25th July
Today we had a four hour journey from Kabare to Samburu where we are going to safari for one day. Along the journey we entered the more desert area of Kenya rather than the lush areas of Kenya which we had been in for the past week and a half, as well as the tribal people who live there. In the afternoon we got the opportunity for safari and it was very exciting to see the African wildlife including lions, zebra, and elephants!
Today we had a four hour journey from Kabare to Samburu where we are going to safari for one day. Along the journey we entered the more desert area of Kenya rather than the lush areas of Kenya which we had been in for the past week and a half, as well as the tribal people who live there. In the afternoon we got the opportunity for safari and it was very exciting to see the African wildlife including lions, zebra, and elephants!
Day Thirteen – Tuesday 26th July
Today was relaxing and very different from the hectic nature of Kabare with safari in the morning and afternoon as well as time for eating and swimming. I felt more as though we were moving from the rural outskirts of Kenya into the comforts of the food and accommodation we are used to in Britain which although it was enjoyable also brought me sadness to realise that the journey was almost over.
Today was relaxing and very different from the hectic nature of Kabare with safari in the morning and afternoon as well as time for eating and swimming. I felt more as though we were moving from the rural outskirts of Kenya into the comforts of the food and accommodation we are used to in Britain which although it was enjoyable also brought me sadness to realise that the journey was almost over.
Day Fourteen – Wednesday 27th July
All this morning and afternoon was spent travelling from Samburu to Nairobi with a small stop at Thika for lunch and a souvenir shop. As we head into the capital I began to realise how much I will miss this country’s rural outskirts.
All this morning and afternoon was spent travelling from Samburu to Nairobi with a small stop at Thika for lunch and a souvenir shop. As we head into the capital I began to realise how much I will miss this country’s rural outskirts.
Day Fifteen – Thursday 28th July
Today is the final day of Kenya and mostly involved flying back to the UK. Reflecting on this experience I can now appreciate all that I have in the Western world but also see that there are many people who survive on very little and are happy with what they do have. Through listening to the girls at the school I can see that faith and valuing what you have binds the Kenyan people together and encourages me to visit them again as well as give them simple things such as a prayer.
Today is the final day of Kenya and mostly involved flying back to the UK. Reflecting on this experience I can now appreciate all that I have in the Western world but also see that there are many people who survive on very little and are happy with what they do have. Through listening to the girls at the school I can see that faith and valuing what you have binds the Kenyan people together and encourages me to visit them again as well as give them simple things such as a prayer.
31 August 2011