Time for Goodbye

My team and I have successfully made it through our stay here & Kenya’s cold season, now we must begin preparations for our journey back to the United States.  This past week we have been busy finishing up last minute projects, exploring the area, and bracing ourselves for goodbyes to the children and youth.

Aberdare Mountains                  

A few days Kelsey and I ventured to the Aberdare National Park for one last big adventure.  We made plans with our Kenyan guide to hike 8 kilometers to the waterfalls in the morning and then on a game drive in the afternoon.  However, like many plans we arrange, they didn’t go exactly as anticipated.  The morning of our hike our guide called us just one hour before we were supposed to meet him in town to cancel!  Because of his last minute cancellation he set us up with one of his friends who thankfully was also a tour guide. 

Consequently, we got off to a late start that morning with a guide who had no idea of our itinerary - that morning was rather stressful.  Once we finally arrived at the park we had to negotiate prices and figure out our new schedules for the day.  After the rangers talked for a while we were told that we would now go on a 14 kilometer hike to 3 different waterfalls and then go on a 43 kilometer game drive through the Aberdare Mountain Range! 

Our hike wasn’t as exciting as we had hoped, but still a fun experience nonetheless.  We were told we would be bushwhacking through animal trails, but we just walked on the main road instead.  On our walk we didn’t see many animals, but we did get to walk through lush, beautiful forests, see the longest waterfall in Kenya, and experience many different weather changes in a short period of time.  We started off up in the clouds in the fog and mist, then we traveled down-slope to warmer sunny weather, then once again up to walk through rainy, cold mist, and out to the rangers stations for our game drive.

The game drive Kelsey and I went on was by far the highlight of my day!  We were able to ride through the forest in our own jeep.  Because ‘time was not on our side’ as our Kenyan guide Will told us, we sped through the majority of our path, but it was incredibly beautiful and enjoyable nonetheless.  Will let us roll the windows down and stand up through the sun roof. 

Before we began the journey I also warned Will that if we did see elephants I would jump through the sun roof and out of the vehicle…which I did!! and Will didn’t mind he just told me not to fall off.  Besides seeing elephants in the wild for the first time (SO AMAAZING!!) Kelsey and I also were able to see hyenas, African buffalo, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, numerous birds, monkeys, rare forest hogs?, leopard footprints, and safari ants.  Our day safari adventure was definitely worth all of the trouble!!

Reflection

This summer has been full of many physical, mental, and emotional ups and downs, but I would not trade this experience for any other.  As an individual I believe I now have a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses when working with others.  I can identify my boundaries more easily so I can best help others while also taking care of myself. 

When assessing the needs in Kenya and at the Children and Youth Empowerment Centre it is obvious that they are endless and ever present.  Before jumping in and trying to create change anywhere, I believe that it is important to build a relationship with those you are serving.  From an outsiders perspective it is often easy to judge others and an organization based off of our own personal and cultural perspectives.  There are many areas around the centre in which I see may need help, however the children and staff are functioning great with the way they are designed. 

                

Our goals coming into this service trip were to make a positive, impactful yet sustainable difference in the lives of the children and members of the centre.   Attentively listening to the staff and children’s needs has helped me form trusting relationships and better understand where our need to serve and just be is.

Through listening and building relationships with the children and youth I have realized that my presence in others lives truly does make a difference – Just living here at the centre impacts the children, youth and staff.  My team and I are outsiders bringing in our own cultural behaviors, thoughts, and way of living.  As individuals it has been up to us how much we are willing to share, yet also take in their culture.

I have also found it very important this summer to live in the present moment – to enjoy life as it comes and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow.  In order to live freely and happily I believe you have to let go of the worries past and future and truly enjoy those around you.  This summer I tried to literally live on “Kenyan time” and take things as they come.  A meeting or event may happen when planned at 3 p.m. or not until 6 p.m. the next day.  After the first couple weeks of living at the centre in Thunguma I decided to take of my watch so I could quit worrying about when things were going to happen and just take in all that was happening at the time. 

The children have also helped me have a greater appreciation for people and God.  Every child here has been through so much in their short lives, yet they maintain their faith and hope for a blessed and better future.  The children here forgive and love almost unconditionally…The children, youth, and staff will always be in my heart and prayers.  I hope I can someday come back.