raised in wisconsin, inspired by the world
my journey to kenya.
During my winter break of 2013 I was accepted to go on a service trip with the organization known as "Kenya Make A Difference," run by students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Myself and 10 other students from UWL traveled the 15 hour flight and arrived in a place that has opened my eyes completely. Throughout the course of 3 weeks my life changed. My passion for helping people and my love for God only grew stronger, and I know I will be back to this wonderful place.
My trip to Kenya was one of the greatest experiences that I've had in my lifetime. Helping to fund the building of a kitchen for a primary school, learning Swahili, making new friends, learning the culture of a completely different world, standing underneath Thomson Waterfalls, and seeing lions/giraffes/zebras/cheetahs/and a leopard on our safari at Masai Mara.....I don't know how anything could get any better. Through this experience I realized how completely privileged I am to live the life I do in the United States. Everyone should remember that no matter how hard of a day you are having, someone somewhere else has it way worse. The difference is, they most likely aren't complaining about what they don't have, but instead they are grateful for everything they do have.
kuomaba si kupata mungu akipenda atakupa.
asking is not getting, but if you pray god will hear you.
The people I met in Kenya, and the few that I became close to are some of the most genuine people I have ever met. My trip to Kenya at the beginning of 2013 could not have been any better of an experience than it was. It changed my love for life. This trip helped me strengthen my faith, brought me closer to God, confirmed my passion and love for others, and helped me find myself in a way I never thought possible. The people of Kenya, in the small village just outside of Burut, inspired me. Inspired me to live for Christ. And I will be eternally grateful.
HARAMBEE. Together as One.
In the country of Kenya 85% of the population is Christian. They believe in Jesus. However, in Kenya the majority of the families I met, did not just believe, they lived FOR Jesus. At this time of my life, I did not live FOR Christ. I lived for myself. Yes, I believed in God. I was Christian. I went to church occasionally. I went through the motions. But, it isn't the same. My personal relationship with God was minimal. That is, until I was inspired.
One thing I learned in Kenya is that I will never be able to be grateful enough for all of the blessings I have in my life. Everyday I am blessed. Most of you, if you stayed in the village I stayed in for 3 weeks, would not consider these people blessed. But they would tell you that you are wrong. They would tell you that God provides. Because they live with very little materialist items, they live through faith. They live with a passion for our Lord. This belief is explainable. It's inspirational. It's amazing. It brought me one step closer to who I am today.
it is not i who lives, but christ who lives in me.
Our mission in Kenya was to help build a kitchen at the Primary School Ninestone. This school has class 1-8, similar to how we have it here in the United States. When we were in Kenya, Ninestone only had 14 students enrolled in classes. This is because it is a private school. Most of the children in the village we stayed went to the public school up the road. The difference is that at Ninestone the children are fed a healthy meal for lunch, for some of these children the only real meal that they have that day. They also are taught by teachers who have obtained a college degree in teaching. A Kiptenden, the public school, the children are not fed lunch, and many of the teachers do not have degrees. Because the majority of the children attend public school each classroom is very packed full. 4 students to a wooden desk, at least 50 students in each room.
Education in Kenya, and a lot of parts of Africa is very essential for children, especially children like we met in this small, very impoverished village. If a child can receive an education, and get good marks on their final exams after class 8 there is a possibility that they will attend collage. Collage, however, is not an option for many because they simply can't afford it. Education is what gets these children out of poverty. Education is their main focus. They are very studious and take it very seriously. These children want to grow and learn, and be a step up from where their parents are. Many parents also want this for their children, so they do whatever they can to get them a good education. The children who attended Ninestone are much more likely to go to college than the children at Kiptenden. The difference is the children at Kiptenden can't afford a private school.
While volunteering at Ninestone we had the honor of meeting the woman that started the school itself. Lucy is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. A woman truly sent from God working to serve Him in her everyday life. This woman came to this village, and saw the need for better education. With the children as the first thing in mind she used her own savings to start Ninestone Primary School. She has an amazing vision, to one day turn this school into a boarding school where children can come and stay for the entire school year. Children will then not worry about going home and not having electricity to do their homework, or even more importantly, being hungry. They would be fed, be given housing, and provided schooling all while staying at school. The vision Lucy has is to help the children in this village. She has such a strong faith, and knows God will provide. Such and amazing woman. So blessed to have been able to speak with her. She is someone everyone could learn something from.
We were able to help fund the building of a new kitchen for Ninestone. Their old kitchen was made of tin walls and did not have a door so they were having trouble with animals getting inside. The new kitchen we built was made with building bricks, cement and dirt mixed together, had a door, and a nice roof. Lucy was so grateful to have us there that everyday we worked she made us lunch. The children from around the village would all come and help too because they were on break from school. Lucy also fed all the kids that helped, for many the only meal they may have that day. We were also able to donate school supplies to Ninestone. Beth, one of the girls who came on the trip, collected supplies at her church at home before we left, and so we had many donations to give Lucy and her school. Again Lucy was very grateful.
finally, the kitchen is complete!
FOOD
In Kenya we ate rice or noodles and vegetables for almost every meal.
Kenyan's definitely don't eat the typical American food we are used to. Rice. Rice. Rice. Beans. Beans. Beans. A carrot or two, here or there. Some peas. More Rice. More Beans. At first there was no way I thought I would grow to like the food we ate in Kenya, but I was wrong. You grow to love it, like you do with a lot of the differences in their culture. I was definitely exposed to some different foods that I have never eaten before, but being open to trying new things is important. When I got back into the U.S. it was almost weird having the food I was used to 3 weeks before. I never thought I would miss the rice and beans like I did.
children of god. jesus loves them. this they know.
The children I met in this community of Kenya were definitely my favorite part of the trip and the sole reason that I will be returning in the future. Specifically the boys Titus, Gillian, Cosmas, and Rogers (see below); these boy's generosity and openness changed my view on life. They changed my view on how I treat my friends and family, making me realize that I need to say I love you more. Meeting these children made me 100 times more appreciative of all the amazing people God has put into my life. Because of these kids I feel that part of my heart is still in Kenya. Their love and trust in God was so inspirational for me. They don't live with materialist things, but instead are thankful for what they have. All of these children were just looking for another person to love them, and this was a something we could easily fill.
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There were 2 days during our trip that we were able to go to an orphanage and hand out donations to the children living there. The orphanage we visited was ran by a woman named Nelly. There were 32 children living at Nelly's from the ages of 6 months to 14 years old. However, these children are not up for adoption, but instead Nelly has brought them into her home as her own. Her and her husband Joesph raise these children until they are old enough to leave home. Her kids have come from all over. Children who were sexually abused, or who a police officer found on the side of the road. Nelly takes them all. They all are brothers and sisters and they all call Nelly Mom. The orphanage is non-government funded and is completely run on donations. 22 of the 28 children who are old enough to go to school are currently being sponsored by different people around the world who want to support a child's education. Visiting this orphanage was truly eye-opening, and gave me hope that there are people everywhere in this world who really are making a difference.
our adventures in kenya
Along with volunteering our group was also given the opportunity to journey around the country of Kenya. We were able to see the beautiful country that God created. The landscape was mind blowing, and when we saw giraffes crossing the road it felt like I was in a dream. We even had monkeys go through our packpacks that we had set down under a tree so we could take a quick picture. A lot of these adventures didn't feel like real life. But they are experiences everyone should have if you are given the opportunity.
hales gate national park
riding in the bumpy van
naughty monkeys
menengai crater...the 2nd largest crater in the world
thomson falls.
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Thomson Falls is a place that if given the opportunity, no one should ever pass up. Standing underneath a waterfall is an experience everyone should have at one time in their live. My mind went blank as I stood a foot away from 243 ft. of falling water. The sound of waterfall this size in indescribable. Truly amazing. Thomson Falls became one of my favorite places in a matter of 2 seconds of being there.
the great rift valley
on both halves of the world
saying goodbye to the iv...next stop masai mara
Over the 3 weeks we stayed in Kenya, the majority was spent staying in the "International Village" aka the IV. This place was founded by a principal of a high school in Wisconsin. This man came to Kenya, specifically to the same village we visited, he saw the need, and saw potential to help. So, with the little funds he had he funded to build an "International Village." A place where traveling college students on service trips can stay for a small donation, and help out the village and the people. This year was the second year that the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse sent a group over on a trip. High school students also travel to the IV, along with a regular group of middle aged women. If the IV is somewhere you would like to potentially stay, contact me :)
Saying goodbye to this place, as we left for our safari in the Masai Mara, was definitely emotional and sad. Saying goodbye to the new friends I made, and the children who had held my hand everyday for the last 3 weeks was tough. But, what made it easier is that I know that I will be back. One day in the future I will return to this place. I left a piece of my heart there, and came home with passion.
Silvanus and Julius
Mac Mac...the night guard
Sammie...our day guard
Joab
Packing up the van
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the masai mara....lions, giraffes, and zebras, ohhhh my!
While in Kenya we were able to go on a 3 day safari in the Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is a native tribe in Kenya, and this safari is where many of the native animals live in peace. While on this trip we were a few feet from lions, giraffes, zebras, cape water buffalo, elephants, and even 500ft away from a leopard, one of the most rare animals to see while on the safari. For the majority of this time I felt like I was living in the movie the Lion King. It all seemed too amazing to be true. Such and amazing experience, and one I would definitely recommend to those traveling to Kenya :)
My trip to Kenya has been one of the greatest experiences so far in my lifetime. My eyes were opened, and I feel as though I now have a different perspective on the world. I certainly still have a lot to learn, and this is why I know I'll be back - hopefully not only to Kenya - but to other African countries as well!