Nairobi Safari Walk

 Remembering that most Kenyan children had never experienced the African wildlife seen in brochures, we arranged a day at Nairobi Safari Walk, a showcase of Kenya’s representative animals and plants in wetland savannah and dry forest ecosystems. We took two busses of students(42),and 4 teachers for a day that far exceeded our expectations.They had so much fun. For the first time they could see lions, a leopard, ostriches, giraffes, crocodiles and all sorts of deer-like creatures. It was such a gift for us to see them so excited. 

Lunch followed; individually wrapped plates of French fries, sausage, samosa, donuts, bananas, cold juice and water...a feast. Many children had not eaten since leaving school the previous day and several had small plastic containers to bring 1/2 their meal home to family. It was humbling to observe.

 

Back to Compass School

January 25

It was the day many of us were all waiting for… the day we met the students from Compass school.  Their smiling faces said it all.  After sharing warm embraces and loving hugs, they sang for us outside in front of the school. We too, performed a few numbers.  

Then we moved inside a classroom for a more formal welcoming with introductions,  scripture readings and words of welcome.  No time to waste, the team got to work unpacking the boxes filled with hundreds of  textbooks from PP1 to class 6 and organized and labelled them with the assistance of the Compass staff.  This to ensure that no book is lost. 

After a quick but delicious lunch of cabbage and rice prepared by the Compass cooks, we were off to visit David Wakogi’s Wetland project where we were taught about the different species of plant life in the Nairobi area.  We then treaded carefully on a bog which felt like walking on a waterbed….such a cool experience.

 

  January 26

On the second visit to the Compass school, the Tumaini team was hard at work teaching Geography (Bruce), Religion and Art (Jeannine) and Visual Art (Judi, Linda and Mariella).  

While we were busy at work, Micheline and Faraj travelled back to Shofco to make a donation on behalf of TA and to explain and demonstrate a Days For Girls kit.  It looks like Shofco may take on the sewing of the kits with the guidance of our very own Gabi Doleske!

Micheline even got to meet Kennedy Odede, the author of Find Me Unafraid and founder of Shofco!

Back at Compass, once we finished our lessons, we climbed back into the van and travelled to meet with Joyce, the president of the Nairobi North Rotary Club in the hopes of forming a partnership with Rotary Sault Ste. Marie in support our TA projects. Joyce founded the Rotary Club in Kikuyu 8 years ago and is very familiar with the surroundings including Thogoto, where Compass school is located.

The meeting was both positive and promising and we left with an added sense of purpose and hope.  

January 27

On Friday, we arrived at Compass to a full house!  The school was filled with excited students and parents awaiting our arrival.  Kamal, Margaret and their son were there too as was Julia Clark, her husband Ken and their 2-year old, Imara.  

We introduced ourselves and shared how we share a common goal, that of helping their child reach their full potential.  Brian, the head teacher, added that our support has included the purchase of books, tables, chairs and distribution of underwear, socks, soccer uniforms and other school materials. 

We then all proceeded to walk to the new Compass site.  The procession of students, staff, parents and TA travellers was filled with singing, laughing and hand holding. At the site, the parents and students were allowed to tour the partially-done school and dream of the future completion of the school.  

The Tumaini Afrika team gave out snacks and we all enjoyed each other’s company.  David Gutundu, the Chairman of the Compass Board said a few words of welcome.  A parent and student made their speeches then Bruce closed the celebration with a short prayer.  We could feel the buzz in the air as students, staff and parents began their walk back to Compass.  There was a renewed sense of hope, pride and excitement for this new school!!  After a quick lunch of ugali and cabbage, prepared by the Compass cooks, our team gave TA tee shirts to the staff …they are now officially part of the TA team!  We then handed out the gifts of soccer uniforms, Days For Girls kits, socks, underwear, hats, etc… to many excited students.  Each Compass student then received a bag filled with treats, a Canadian and Ontario pin as well as a toothbrush.   We tearfully said our goodbyes to the younger students and made our way back to Kijiji for a few hours of rest and a hot shower.

  In the evening, we were welcomed for dinner by Mary Warindi, our good friend and bead-expert.  She served a scrumptious meal and we were able to catch up after three long years.  TA presented her with gifts for her and her children.

It was a great day!

The Masai Mara

Our group has had the privilege to spend the last 2 days at the Serena Lodge on the Masai Mara reserve an expanse of 1510 km in south west Kenya and bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. As we travel in our jeep with the roof up, warm wind blowing in our faces, the bright sun shining down on us and look out to the expanse of greens from lime to the dark greens of a forest, the acacia trees all lined up horizontally, tabletops for the giraffes you cannot but feel like a small cog in this thing called life.

Our friend Faraj worked hard to chase down all kinds of animals for us to see. As Judie described it is was like a rolling movie. It started just as we crossed the bridge into the reserve with the big, red mouth opening of a hippo, to snoring lions along the side of the road, so close that when one rolled over you wanted to get out and scratch its big cat belly. We were blessed to hear the crack of branches as the elephants pulled them with their trunks outside our balcony window, giraffes standing tall and proud with their beautiful mascara lined eyelashes munching on trees. There were ostriches, zebras, warthogs galore, baboons, buffalo, topis, gazelles, impala, crocodiles and so many more to mention. Although, Faraj was unable to find us a leopard to see the big 5, we did get to see cheetahs and lions eating their prey, and a rhino.
We are thankful to Faraj for his persistence in hunting down so many animals for us to see that we lost count. And a heartfelt shout out to Micheline and Jeanine for taking amazing pictures so some of us got sit back and truly experience the moment.

On our way back we stopped at a Masai village and were able to experience a whole different way of life, one with no running water, electricity, tv or internet but very proud and happy people. Tomorrow the real excitement – back to Compass school, the teachers, the children, the excitement of a new school year.