RAFIKI Trip to Kenya 2007
Day 6: Disabled Person's Group and HIV/AIDS Outreach
On Saturday morning we visited a local group of disabled people which has formed to advocate for their needs in Maai Mahiu. The situtation of disabled people in Kenya is particularly difficult, as the social stigma attached to disability often results in isolation, little education, and minimal involvement in the life of the community. Faith, the leader of the group, is a vivacious 4-foot-somthing woman with a congenital spinal defect. She has been gathering this group of people together every other Saturday to talk and brainstorm ideas.
Photo: In the front row, Marina, Rosa, Faith (leader of the disabled group), Ji Yun, and Pauline. In the back row, Kevin, Nichole, and Ken (local representative for Comfort the Children).
The task for the group at this meeting was to take photos of each of the disabled people, so that they could be individually assessed by a mobile assessment unit. Our students helped out by holding a screen for the photographer. Not a single person had a wheelchair - those who could not use their lower limbs walked by putting 'shoes' on their hands. As of a week later, the news from Faith is that 2 wheelchairs have been donated by a local hospital.
Photo: A mother has her photo taken as her son, holding his jacket, waits. Rosa and Ji Yun hold a screen for the photographer; to their right is a gregarious boy with Down's Syndrome.
Photo: Children from the area gather to watch the 'mzungu' visitors.
After the disabled group meeting, we met again with PCYI (Partners for Change Youth Initiative) members for their 'outreach' event. Members of the group have been trained by HIV/AIDS Outreach groups to perform 'community theatre'. They choose an open area in the village, and begin with a series of icebreakers and songs. The singing, dancing, and laughing draw a considerable crowd of adults and children from the community. All five of our girls got right into the spirit of the day, joining in the singing and dancing.
Photo: The five Bodwell girls participating in one of the many games & dances which open the 'outreach'.
Once the icebreakers are finished, the group begins a short skit or play on a pre-arranged topics such as HIV/AIDS, TB, reproductive health, and healthy living. They act out a situation and then a facilitator pauses the theatre to ask community members for their contributions. This week, there were several issues presented - should a person who coughs be isolated from his/her friends, for fear of TB? What if a person says that she/he does not wanted to be treated by doctors, because of his/her spiritual beliefs? The theatre brings up real and important discussions amongst community members as they give 'advice' to the members of the play.
Day 7: Naivasha Youth Rally
On Sunday, we Bodwell students accompanied the PCYI youth to a rally held by youth groups in the Naivasha area (including Maai Mahiu). We had a terrific time singing, dancing, and spending time with youth from different parts of Kenya.
All of us joined in the 'gunnia' competition - hopping in sacks for about 100 metres.
We were invited to introduce our group and lead a short game - we had a 'map' game prepared. The two teams chose one representative who, blindfolded, attempted to point to a certain country on the world map. At the end of the day, we went for a short boat ride and saw wild hippos. Hippos kill more people every year than any other 'big game' in Kenya - so we kept our distance!
In the boat, with some PCYI friends - and the malevolent hippos...
Days 8 - 10: Safari
We had two nights and three days on safari - a perfect chance to experience the famed Maasai Mara! The animals in the photos are accustomed to safari vehicles and so allow the vehicles to approach within even a few metres. The pictures below tell the story!
Zebras are a common sight on the fields; however in Maasai Mara at this time of year, thousands of wildebeest share the plains. Their annual migration takes them into Kenya from July to September, creating the top tourist season.
Who knew this would be a two-country trip? Marina, Nichole, and half of Pauline are in Tanzania; Rosa and Ji Yun are in Kenya.
We found a group of forlorn wazungus (foreigners) who had their vehicle stuck in the mud. While the occupants of the vehicle stood back & watched, our five Bodwell ladies pushed harder than anyone else - and, eventually, pulled the car out of the mud. Canadian girls rock!
The lion above was a few hundred metres from our 'stuck in the mud' incident; the crocodile was beneath our lunch spot. Luckily we escaped unscathed!
Days 11 - 13: Farewells
After a final day in Nairobi, we spent our last day in Maai Mahiu saying farewell. In the morning, the Bodwell girls played with the children for the last time.
Children at the children's home (orphanage)
The hardest farewell was to the members of PCYI, the group which accompanied us on so many of our journeys. There were many a tear-filled eye during that farewell.
The last day together! Top row are: Jane, Rosa (Bodwell), Faith, Marina & Nichole, Tony, Mary, Eunice, Lillian, Ji Yun, and Peter. In the bottom row are ??, Nancy, Sammy, Pauline, Simple Simon, and Matthew.
As a parting gift, the Bodwell students printed photos of the girls with PCYI members, and framed them on mats.
Receiving the gift are the leaders of PCYI - Partners for Change Youth Initiative. On the left is Peter (Budget); on the right is Bernard (Owino).
With hugs & tearful farewells, the girls left for Nairobi. They spent one evening in homestay, and left early the next morning for the other side of the world.
In Conclusion
The Bodwell Kenya Volunteer Trip was an overwhelming success for two important reasons.
First, because we were able to contribute meaningfully to a community – by painting at the orphanage, playing games with the children, and providing donated clothes and school supplies. Having spent time in a community with such needs and strengths, the students are already planning trip to return to this community, and thinking of ways in which they can stay in contact once they’ve returned home. During this short trip we made connections with Kenyan youth and organizations – relationships that will last.
However, the external ‘impact’ of this work is only a part of the story. More important are the internal changes in each of these girls. Starting from a strong base – an adventurous spirit and a genuine desire to help – they were exposed to a completely different reality. Playing with children in the orphanage they learned to share happiness.
In the words of the participants:
“In Canada, we stress about small things and give up easily. Here, even though they are poor, they smile and welcome us. Now, I am trying to think in a positive way.” - Ji Yun Kim
“It is easy to help a person keep alive in Kenya, but it is hard to help all of the people in Kenya as only one person” - Pauline Li
“In Canada, I
sometimes felt poor compared to other rich students. Here, people are really
poor but they still smile. I have realized that I shouldn’t spend a lot of
money” - Rosa Kho
“I am planning to come again next year – I really want to come and do
my year service in the hospital near Maai Mahiu. I also want to send money from
Mexico to PCYI.” - Nichole Monroy
“The image in
our head is just one part of Kenya. It is true that people are not welthy like
us and still they need a lot of help. But they are always kind, friendly and
smiling. They have many important things that we forget”
Marina Matsui
In a spirit of
friendship and community, let’s work together to ensure that this will be just
the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Bodwell and Maai Mahiu.