Outreach Weekend

We just got back from a 2 day outreach program. So many highs and lows happened within just 2 days but I’m just going to briefly sum it up because it’s been a exhausting few days and I’m about to pass out!

Day 1- First we went to KCC slum. We got to see a classroom built by volunteers and walk the narrow and dirty streets that are a reality everyday for these families. What stood out to me was the bathroom situation. One metal bathroom (hole in the ground) serves 100 people. And sometimes they go to the bathroom in bags and just throw it anywhere they want. 

slum bathrooms

the streets between houses

After the slum we went to an IDP camp which stands for Internally Displaced People. During the election in 2007 they thought someone new was going to come into power and there was a lot of dispute over it and chaos and riots and their houses were all burned so they were forced to leave and make a new home from scratch. All of the people live in little huts, some made of tarps, and the lucky ones have metal for a roof. We sat in the school that volunteers built for the kids there and the teacher named Joyce came in to talk to us. She was talking about how much she loves teaching and has 6 kids of her own and they all live in the little tent with her. I honestly felt such a connection to her since I am a teacher too. It made me really think about how she teaches all day in a tiny hot classroom with nothing in it, for free, and then goes home to her tent. I suddenly felt like I could never complain about any of my teaching problems ever again. Then the saddest part- she took us in a few tents and introduced us to the families that live there. The floors of these tents is pure rock and some of them only have rocks to sit on. At night the kids lay out socks on the rocks for pillows and sleep on the hard ground. When it rains the families all have to sleep standing up. We were all choking back tears listening to Joyce talk about how lucky they are to at least have the little shelter they do. After all she has been through she still remains positive. She started to get tears in her eyes telling us how people think they are wild animals living in these horrible conditions but they are human beings. They have been living this way for 7 years with hope that the government will someday relocate them. We all immediately got together and pitched in 6 dollars each which all together would buy a metal roof for Joyces tent. As we presented her the money and she cried tears of joy I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Then Joyce led the kids and volunteers in different dances. It was so much fun laughing and dancing with these kids who have literally NOTHING but still smile. What was hard thought was driving away and seeing Joyce and the kids all waving bye to us and reality hit me- we get to leave. We get to go home to our shower and bed but these people here just go back to their tents living in unthinkable conditions. This was an experience I will NEVER forget. Joyce stories and tears haunt me days later and I will never be able to un-see the things I saw at that IDP camp. 

their homes

Joyce and the kids

Day 2- After a very emotional first day we were all happy to have a day of fun biking at Hell’s Gate National Park. This is a park where you can bike next to wild animals and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. At the zoo or on safari you are protected by a cage or a car, but being on a bike and so exposed to the animals was exhilarating! Biking through the cliffs next to giraffes and having to break for zebras crossing was such an awesome experience! 

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