This is a story of how I’ve come to get to know and fall in love with Kenya. The place, the people, and the possibilities
In 2020, I travelled to Kenya to visit a friend who was living there. Never before did I ever think that I’d visit Africa in my lifetime, yet when I found myself in the Masai watching animals away from any visible human structures, and then meeting the nearby Masai people, I realised I had only begun to scratch the surface of what there is to see and experience on the glorious continent.
I loved Kenya so much that in 2021, I returned. This time, during the COVID pandemic, which naturally led to a few different observations and underlying meanings in my visit.
I was able to spend a number of weeks in the country this time. I was meeting people, understanding the place, how the people live together, and hearing so many stories of struggle and hope.
The most impactful story came from my friend, Jabali (pictured left). Jabali was working security at the place I was staying. Over the few weeks I stayed there, we got to know each other. He told me about how he was studying medicine while also working full-time at the hotel doing security. All while raising three young children, the youngest being only a few weeks old.
In the end, he was kind enough to invite me to his village Msambweni. This is where he showed me his local village, his family, including his baby daughter (pictured), and the schools he and his neighbours are trying to build to allow all of the local children to attend formalised education, something has been very challenging.
It’s incredible to see this community coming together to build for their future generations. Personally, I think education is the key to everything. That’s why I’ve dedicated over 10 years of my career in this space, and also why I feel a need to help communties like Msambweni bring education to their young ones.
There is still a lot of work to be done.
Right now, the school buildings are being completed one at a time. Of the 91 children aged between 4-6 in the area, 60 of them are able to come to school.
There is a need for more school uniforms, writing materials, and meals for some unable to eat reliably at home.
Your donations will help get the rest of these kids into class with the materials they need, and food in their bellies. Please, help if you can.
You can make a donation to my first fundraiser by clicking the button below. Donations will close on March 23rd, 2023. More details of future planned activities will follow.
