Kenya – the country
Geoff gave us some interesting facts and observations about Kenya. A world map was used to demonstrate how maps can be misleading about the true size of continents and countries, particularly when comparing countries such as Greenland, Australia and those in Africa.
Geoff explained that Kenya is a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, including the Great Rift Valley, highlands, deserts, grasslands and coastal areas. It is also incredibly diverse culturally and linguistically, with more than 40 languages spoken throughout the country.
They travelled through some very busy parts of Kenya and experienced first-hand the enormous amount of traffic on the major roads. Thousands of trucks use the important transport routes carrying goods between Kenya and neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan as Mombasa is the major port to Eastern Africa. Despite the congestion and challenging road conditions, they were impressed by the patience and courtesy of Kenyan drivers, particularly the lack of road rage.
Everyday life in Kenya
One of the most powerful parts of the theirs was the contrast between life in Australia and everyday life in Kenya.
The group saw roadside markets, small businesses and homes made from very basic materials. Many people live and work with considerably fewer resources than Australians take for granted. Wages can be extremely low, and government assistance for disadvantaged families is also very limited compared with Australia.
Yet, despite these challenges, the visitors were struck by the kindness, generosity and hospitality of the Kenyan people.
Their experiences challenged some of their own preconceived ideas about life in Africa. Rather than simply feeling that they were going to Kenya to “help people less fortunate”, they discovered that they had just as much to learn from the Kenyan people as they had to give.
Umoja Children’s Home
A major focus of the trip was Umoja Children’s Home, where there were around 16 children at the time of the visit.
Many of the children have experienced very difficult circumstances, including family breakdown, poverty and, particularly among some of the girls, experiences of abuse.
Despite their circumstances, the visitors described the children as happy, humble, resilient and incredibly supportive of one another.
Their daily routine was also very different from that of Australian children. They left for school early in the morning and often did not return until around 5 pm. They also attended school on Saturdays and church on Sundays, leaving very little free time.
What stood out most was that the children rarely complained. They appeared to appreciate what they had and looked after one another.
The volunteer experience
The work was sometimes challenging, particularly because of the weather conditions. However, they quickly realised that the purpose of the trip was not simply about completing a list of jobs.
It was about being present, building relationships and learning about the children and the people caring for them.
The house mothers also made a strong impression. They work extremely hard to create an environment where the children feel safe, loved and connected.
Geoff and Faye were particularly impressed by the sense of family within the home.