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.
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Chameleon
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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