Meet Jane

---------------------------------Jane at the Mara River------------------------------

Jane is a leader in a community that FTC works in called Emori Joi. She is a role model in her community not only for being a strong independent woman but for creating a home, 6 years in the making as an example of hard work/dedication. She is a mother, and supports her kids’ education, through the women’s groups’ she is a part of and her entrepreneurial endeavors. Not only does she participant in a woman’s group of her own but she is the chair lady of the amalgamation of all the women’s groups’ in the area. She is the leader of around 546 women. These are women who have just bought the rights to their own piece of land so that they can have a big enough space to continue to empower their children and their community around them. Jane inspires women around the globe, she has touched the hearts of many guests that have visited her home, and she is the epitome of strength and perseverance. I often look around and see the powerful women around me, but I rarely take the time to tell them how inspiring they are to me. Women like Jane are the catalysts and like the women before them they are changing the future for their daughters. Today I give a shout out to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, female sports figures like the Williams sisters, or Misty Bass, and heroin’s like Wangari Maathai. Thanks for being the catalyst!

Bogani

Luxury tents, paved paths, cottages, wine, trees, monkeys, magi moto, hash browns, hyrax, goats, guests, friends around every corner, Kevo, Mary, Issiah, Sammy, Jackson, Wilson. This is fall. Bogani has turned into an enjoyable experience. Conversations flow around the dinner table. Friends laugh, and cry about the day. A day where a chimney was built, water was collected, kids were visited, bricks were laid, Kisaruni helped us learn, and hands were held. The Mara has become more green but the heat pours in.

---------------------------------Kids from Oloonkerin Primary school----------------------------------

Bogani is a place where we host adult groups. A place that is more comfortable that allows families to reflect on the day by a fire. It is an experience that encompasses all the makings of a magical vacation but will put you to work during the day. It has been a real pleasure to host the groups I have this fall, and I’m sure the pleasure will continue.

Between this, painting has helped me pass my time. Finally being able to breakdown the inspiration I have gathered throughout the past 9 months is refreshing. Finally being able to paint at all has been a breakthrough.

I can only imagine the next few months will pass by quickly with too many memorable moments. I look forward to getting back to the snow but I can only imagine it will be short lived. Nonetheless Canada here I come, can’t wait to see you old friends and new!

Knowledge is Power

What can I say, life has changed! So much has happened, from hosting two or more trips to committing to stay on into the fall. Kenya is good. The Mara is good.

But drought is apparent.

As I’m sure many of you know Northern Kenya and Somalia are experiencing the worst drought in 60 years. 300, 000 people are in the refugee camp, Dadaab, northern Kenya, probably even more now, in a camp that is meant for 70,000. Last time I checked World Food Program wasn’t able to provide food for all the people that the camp was holding. At least 3000 people are dying daily from malnutrition.

I recently had the pleasure to meet actress, and human rights activist Mia Farrow. She speaks freely about the real problems plaguing Dadaab and other African regions. She is a great resource to follow www.miafarrow.org , she paints a picture of despair but gives YOU an opportunity to help. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I urge all of you to get informed, watch the news read the papers.

Free the Children has been doing its part. Although we are development organization, it is obvious that we can’t turn a blind eye to the struggles in the Horn of Africa. One of our mobilizers, Justice, spent 2 weeks in Dadaab recently. He was able to place 15 metric tonnes of food and non-food items to new refugees arriving at the camp. The only reason FTC was able to do this was because of the help from overseas donors and fundraisers.

Please check out http://www.metowe.com/shop/products/rafiki-friend-of-east-africa and support our efforts in Dadaab.

Drastic times call for drastic measures. I once again urge you to spread the word. Hope lies in the efforts of us all. I just recently received an e-mail from members of a school that I hosted in May. The students and teachers that were on the trip are currently in the midst of educating others as well as conducting enormous fundraising efforts. I shout out to these students and teachers from the bottom of my heart. Let us all be the hearts of compassion like they are. Knowledge is power.

This is a sign that is present at one of Free the Children's primary school's called Pimbinet

Seychelles

On a whim I called my good friend Paddye since I had some time off to see if she would accommodate me at her home in Seychelles. I was in luck. Instead of spending another week in Nairobi, I booked a ticket, and headed down to the islands.

Paddye greeted me at the airport, first time we had seen each other in a year. Paddye and I not only were roommates throughout university, but played ball together since we were 13. It was extremely nice to see a familiar face after such a long time in Kenya. She was a piece of home.

We spent the first day on the beach, eating banana chips and drinking local beer, followed by a Creole meal cooked by her new man Hendrik.


The rest of the days were mostly spent lounging on the beach catching up, getting to know Paddye’s life and friends. Overall Seychelles is a dream, beaches that go on for miles; water the color of aqua, and people that are way too relaxed. If you are a beach bum or a diver these are the islands for you.

So that’s what I became, a beach bum that dove and relaxed. After a few games of basketball and seadooing at Beau Vallon, it was time to head home to Nairobi to face the next trip coming in. However Seychelles hasn’t seen the end of me yet.

That's what she said

I’ve been back in Nairobi for too long now, but it’s nice to have the house full again!

St. Peters was an amazing group. They were engaged, excited and passionate about Kenya. They were overall 22 students and 7 teachers. All the teachers were supportive and great role models for the students and myself. Stationed at Old pimbinet just behind the Kisaruni girls high school was a prime location for all activities (WE DIDN”T GET STUCK !!). Every activity was a success, from mama walk to safari, nothing could have gone more smoothly.

----------------------------------------------"On safari day"-------------------------------------------

A highlight on the trip was Olympic day. We were at Motony primary school with 714 kids. They were split up into 11 groups and all given a different color headband. St. Peter’s students each took a group and they made a cheer. It was incredible to see all these kids from baby class to grade 8 participating in each activity fully. As I looked across the field all I could do was smile. The day was a complete success!
Saying goodbye to St. Peters was sad but also happy because I know these students will make change when they get home! So here’s a shout out to the amazing students and teachers of St. Peters, a truly inspiring group.

Its official I love my job!

P.S Everything is Bigger in kenya

"Baboon Spider we found in our tent (quite abit larger then the palm of my hand)"

Vacay..

Mt. Longonot
Mt Longonot was a great adventure, and the first mountain that I ever climbed. However it was a success, Brandon and I climbed the 2, 776m elevation. It is a dormant volcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. It was a challenging climb, but satisfying and well worth the view.



SA.. return..
Back in South Africa was something I had never dreamed would ever happen. But it did, and I found myself in Durban city centre. My first stop was on the beach, diving was a priority as well as strolling down the boardwalk beside the ocean. A visit to Victoria street market, a local Indian market was educational but somehow it seems that every market is almost the same. I enjoyed some beers and finally a drum circle at a local joint called Cool Runnings on my last night at Tekweni, a city centre backpackers. From here I hitched a ride to Umkomass a town near the famous dive sites of the Aliwal Shoal. Top 10 dive spot in the world. Due to bad weather and a fishing boat flipping the launch pad was closed. I continued to coffee bay, where the real magic happened.

Coffee bay is a small area situated south of Durban about 7-8 hrs from the city. Here lies a coast line that is easily hiked, and a surf that is to die for. The Zulu culture is prevalent here and the people are all relaxed. No worries, beach life, and smiles all around. I fell in love with the people. Unfortunately my journey had to come to an end, and I took the long ride back to the city of Durban. I couldn’t help but be sad when thinking of how long it would be before I would return to Coffee Bay. Good people and good times.

Now I’m back in Nairobi, soon to be on a trip in the Mara again.

Oloosiyoi

An adventure.. My first youth trip is over.. after many good days and many challenges. The trip obviously started out smooth sailing as we all travelled to Oloosiyoi, a Maasai community where FTC has been working since 2008. As soon as we got there we had a warm welcome from the amazing staff! The first week and a half we stayed around Oloosiyoi, building, interacting with the kids, and seeing the community. The community was amazing everyone we met was kind and gentle. The people were unbelievable.

"My co-facilitator and Felix"

After spending almost a week there I realized how different these people were from those back home. The main difference is a smile. I wonder how many people I pass on the streets in Canada and don’t smile or say hi to? At Oloosiyoi and the majority of FTC’s community’s this is not the case. Smiling is contagious here.Soon it was Safari day, and the rains had come. The roads were muddy and the vehicles were struggling. We finally made it into the conservancy, saw a Cheetah lounging and here we remained for 10 hrs. Our Lorry was stuck in the mud, really stuck. The back-ups tried to come and they got stuck. Our final rescue was out of the movie which involved lights coming in from all angles of the four landcruisers, and our lorry simultaneously being pulled out by the long awaited tractor. It was a day that I will never forget, a true safari adventure. The rest of the trip involved mud, rain and positive attitudes. We made it through the grit and finished on a high note. With the help of the amazing staff, this includes Stanley and our Maasai guide Felix. Big shout outs! You are good men.

Lil Rascals..

My great housemates threw me an early birthday party. The lil rascals had me fooled up until an hour before departure. We went to get some excellent sushi at Onami, and then we proceeded the night festivities at Black Diamond, where we dominated the dance floor. It was extremely nice and unexpected. Great friends!

The last week in Nairobi has been a great break but there is no rest for the wicked.

After some fun and games its back to work, my trip comes in tonight and we head to the Mara tomorrow. My fly in facilitator arrived last night and he is awesome. We are going to make a great team. Everybody keep your fingers crossed from me as I embark on my first lead trip. See ya when I see ya.

P.s Later Dread head!

Kilifi

Aqua colored water, white sand beaches and palm trees that stretch across the blue sky in Toriana, Kilifi, a Me to We property where we just spend the last 5 days. Kilifi is off the Indian Ocean about an hour and a half from Mombasa a coastal town in Kenya.

We were lucky enough to have great weather and activities every day that really allowed all of us to spend quality time with each other. Beach football to swimming in the ocean and beautiful pool it was a much needed break after a month in the Maasai Mara.

A few highlights include the Gede ruins and snorkeling. The Gede Ruins are the remains of a Swahili town from the 13^th or 14^th to the 17^th century. The town consists of a mosque and several stone houses, excavations revealed the town in 1948 and 1949. The ruins were incredible with wells that dropped down hundreds of feet and a smaller filtration system built into the structures walls were breathtaking.

Sadly the break had to end and we flew back to Nairobi to answer e-mails and prep for the chaos of March trips.

The Chameleon

Today the Artbounders left after we dropped them at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club. My first Bogani trip is over. With a fast turnaround the next group already here, I will be joining them tonight at dinner and commencing what a trip that is more typical of that I will be doing for my duration with Me to We.

After the drop off, Julia (another facilitator) and I had the rest of the day to relax. Among laundry, clean up, and rest we stumbled upon a chameleon. About 10cm long, this guy was trying to cross some of the house keeper ladies’ and gentleman’s paths. As soon as we pointed it out to them, they jumped and screamed throwing some small rags on the lizard and grabbing our arms. They insisted that I document the moment and instructed me to get my camera. Inching closer we were successful in the photographic capture.

Followed by many large and loud days, sometimes the small things are worth noting.

First Bogani Trip

The first trip that I was a facilitator for has come and almost gone. The group was a Bogani (adult group) that has partnered with FTC to promote arts in the schools that we build. They are called Artbound and they raised money to build an art wing in Kisaruni girls high school, and have been diligently building all week for its completion. Everybody in the group has been great; it’s been a pleasure to be around so many creative souls.

Along with Artbound our celeb guest has truly been a treat. Her crew was amazing and alongside the Kisaruni girls and the Kenyan Boys choir we all had one of the most outrageous days full of song and dance. The collaboration between our guest singer, the girls and the Kenyan boys choir was unbelievable. The day began with a performance from the Kenyan boys choir, who have the voices of angels. Soon the rain came and we moved inside where our celeb singer belted out her songs and so did the boys choir. Soon after the Kisaruni girls were put to the test and sang and danced their hearts out. As the shy girls sang their voices started small, but as they continued their voices grew louder and louder, with encouragement from everybody in the room. Most of us sat in awe of the singers before us with GIANT smiles on our faces and before I knew it tears of joy were rolling down my cheeks.

What happened next was something I will never forget; together our guest singer and the boys choir joined forces. Then the Kisaruni girls were up singing, and before I could blink an eye we all were. Singing and dancing with smiles that stretched for miles and weeping tears streaming down.

To be honest I could live in that moment forever, words are hardly enough to describe the energy and pure happiness in the room. I only hope that you can picture an inkling of what the day was like. I can’t remember the last time that I felt that happy.

Painting with Mary, a student of Kisaruni

A lil update.

The last few weeks in Nairobi have been full of training and getting even more of a handle on trips. We welcomed a new facilitator, and a returning one who was taking some time at home. The team is complete!! We are ready in full force to attack all the trips that are coming in. We will all be in the Mara as of Monday hosting a group called Artbound, CTV film crew and a famous celeb. It should be an interesting few weeks that will be followed by a Nippising trip full of teachers fulfilling their placements in the local primary schools that FTC has built.

Job low down

I got hired as a Kenya Trips Facilitator for a company called Me to We. Me to We is a sister company of Free the Children an NGO. Me to We offers more socially responsible choices for youth and helps raise global awareness inner city and internationally. Me to We allows Free the Children to have the lowest administrative cost possible and use 91 cents of the dollar to give directly to our projects. These projects in Kenya include, school building, water kiosks & bore holes, alternate income projects, and health education. Free the Children is the largest NGO of children helping children, and is dedicated to empowering youth to have a voice. My job is to facilitate youth groups and adult groups that come to Kenya and give them an understanding of what FTC and Me to We is dedicated to doing, in terms of our Adopt A Village program. They will also have the opportunity to help build primary schools in the communities and engage in cultural activities.

Abit about Nairobi.. and Kisaruni

Nkosi and I at the Riff Valley on the way down to the Mara

Moving back to the Nairobi from the Mara was a blur, in between sleep and checking out the roadside scenery, we finally arrived and after a few days in the city the FTC staff were gone and we were left to ourselves. Getting to know all my housemates has been great, through game nights, juice bar days and a night out on the town, I feel like I am home

Mine and Cam's room

Training began last Monday and we slowly crept through all the modules that we are to be responsible for when youth or any groups come down for a Me to We trip. After almost a week of this we headed back to the Mara for a change of scenery and the Kisaruni Girls Secondary School reporting day.

Reporting day..
As mentioned previously we attended the opening of the Kisaruni girls secondary school on the staff trip where we were greeting by over 800 people welcoming us. This day was a bit different. As we left the centre to get to the school the buzz of first day excitement filled the air. Today the girls reported to school where they would reside and learn for the next three months. We arrived at about 9:30am. and a few girls had already been admitted, they were so excited that they were waiting at the gate when Kisaruni opened in the morning. As the day moved along many girls arrived with parents and friends from schools spread out over more than three communities. All of them traveled far and long to get to Kisaruni and they were not disappointed when they finally got here. Overall there were 42 girls accepted to the school, many secondary schools have a tuition charge, Kisaruni does not. We are hoping to have all the girls sponsored, to support them through their education. The girls parents/guardian’s support them in a different way by helping through projects that coincide with the school’s core values, worth more than a monetary value.

The Baraka Medical Clinic beside the Girls Secondary School.

As the girls arrived our role was to make girls and their families feel at ease and at home. We escorted the girls and their parents to their dorm after a luggage check and showed them their beds and personal bathroom facilities.

This was my favorite part of the day. The expression on the girls faces when they saw their own bed and the quality of the showers that they would beable to use will stick with me forever. The joy and excitement of the girls on their first day of school keep me smiling the entire day. Keeping in mind that these girls all come from varying home environments where they may share a bed or space with many siblings or even have a bucket bath. The dorm for many was a dream come true.

Overall the day was great and the quality of the girls that were accepted and will now be attending Kisaruni is humbling. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to getting to know each of them as we visit the school throughout the season.

The Mara at night..

Among some amazing day activities there were some unbelievable night festivities. Serenaded by the Kenyan Boys Choir, who took my breath away, they sang traditional songs and even Christmas songs that made us all think of home. Brought tears to most of our eyes, including mine. The Kenyan Boys choir can also be recognized by their incorporation into Obama’s inauguration. Seeing them in the now was beautiful. They were a great kick off to a New Years party that most will never forget; full of Tusker’s and boxed wine.

Another night time activity that was memorable was Oh Africa, a drumming group that sang, drummed of course, danced and threw in alittle bit of acrobatics. Great beats that got the entire group up and dancing.

We hit a record of dancing every night so far.

Finally our last night and one that I will never forget in the Mara began when some elders from the nearby villages came to give us a blessing. All 100 staff sat in a circle lit by lanterns, preluded by a story from Robin, the elders came singing and dancing into the circle. As the singing began the rain began, in Africa the saying goes that rain is a blessing, making the ceremony even more surreal. The next few minutes came as a surprise whereby we were spit on with sour milk in the face. Some got hit more than others. My hit was moderate, but memorable. The funny thing is that when the elders left the circle the rain stopped.

Nights were memorable and inspirational and I definitely won’t forget my first trip of many to the Mara.

P.s You can check out Robin's book by typing in My Maasai life into google.. and too see the Kenyan Boys choir check them out on youtube.. Obama's inauguration Kenyan boys choir. You will be blown away.

To the Mara...

Have you ever imagined a land that stretches beyond the eye can see, dirt roads that require cars with suspension built for a giant, and people that welcome visitors with open arms? This is the maasai mara. Arriving in Nairobi was a breeze and the next 24 hrs took us from a true Kenyan city to the rural countryside that one would imagine Africa to look like. Along the road stretched many fields and people tending to cows and goats, occasionally passing small towns that include Naroc, and beautiful sights like the great riff valley. Between sleep and small conversation on the “lolly” a few too many bathroom breaks our arrival at the centre was final. Here greeted by the great Kenyan staff of Free the Children we were treated to juice and cookies. Jambo,habari ganna. Dinner was provided and sleep was in order, jet leg was setting in.

The next few days took us on many great adventures that included visiting local schools that FTC is involved in, old school versus new school, getting into some soccer games with some local kids, and visiting great accomplishments like the medical clinic in the community.

Old school

New School

Among these highlights were attending the opening of FTC’s first secondary school. An all girls school called Kisaruni. As we pulled up to the school opening we were greeted by over 800 people welcoming us. All of FTC’s staff proceeded down the centre of a tunnel of community members shaking our hands. I can’t begin to explain the overwhelming feeling of welcome that I can guarantee everybody felt. The ceremony began, with dancing and speeches that would humble anyone in attendance. Meeting the girls who got accepted was especially powerful; they were full of smiles as their parents looked upon them with proud faces.

Jambo

JAMBO... here are a few of my favorite pictures so far..

Carrying a 20 litre water container from the river to mama Jane's house

Masai Mama's at the Kisaruni secondary school opening

Hello all,

I just wanted to say welcome to my blog, I will be posting here many adventures and updates about my trip, thus anyone can follow and keep up rather than writing 1000 e-mails. I hope you feel connected, and this way we can keep in touch.

Love Steph