Personal experiences
Making A Difference in Kenya
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…in Africa everything is always alive…but in every second the single carrot or tomato demands attention, care and labour…Just like every alive ‘thing’ which can be a person in a child ‘form’ or a wild animal in a dangerous bush…Kenya has that and signifies about every kind of attention and unending needs…for the community and for the environment….
My idea going and volunteering with street children in Africa came unexpectedly. A feeling came to me and I could not quit the desire to leave the busy life in London. It did not take me long to decide in which country I wished to spend my time. Kenya has a special meaning in my life for personal reasons, and I could not wait to go there and did not know what to expect.
I wasn’t scared, I did not fear about my safety or anything bad before entering the plane. I was waiting with a great passion to be in Africa. I arrived in Kenya late in the evening and a chauffeur from the rescue centre came to pick me up from the airport and he drove me to Mwtwapa village. I will not forget the look of that unexpected view of unlighted paths and incredible darkness. I was wondering if I will meet other people who have come to volunteer as me. The first night I slept like I was on needles; tired and excited I was making images in my head of the children I will meet the next morning.
The first day at the centre will always stay in my memories among others. Entering the Grandsons of Abraham rescue centre, I saw a yard with some buildings inside and some boys running towards me. They all run towards you and greet you from the first glimpse they make at you.The first shaking with hands, hugs and smiles- made me feel very good. During my first day I was already feeling that these children were special.
On the last lesson I felt asleep and Steven (one of the boys at the centre), about 15 years old boy, was seating next to me and making sure I am well. I felt like I was in a polish village, where I spent all my childhood thanks to my family. Seeing green all around the school in a middle of a forest I started feeling like I am a child again, like in my own sides...I was happy.
Many boys touch your heart by speaking about their experiences and about their life. The youngest one, Rama, who is just a legend for the volunteers, he will jump on you whenever he sees you. The classes were grey and dusty but these children make them really ‘smiled’. Every piece of chalk and every piece of cloth which I was using on the blackboard, I was trying not to use too much because there is never enough of anything due to the poor conditions.
I am not a qualified teacher or pedagogue but teaching Kenyan children in a rescue centre was giving me a power to be brave and show that I can pass them my knowledge and to provide an interest about things which they would listen with curiosity. And it was like that, they absorb every word you would say to them.
I adored teaching at the centre. Even that there are so many things missing from the school, like books, exercise books, pens, and other needed accessories I could run a class from few thematic books. Every lesson is a like an adventure. Not being qualified teachers, we volunteers were trying our best to run the classes with interest and passions. They children want to learn, to get to know about the things we know. They are intelligent and many wish to become professionals in the future. Everyone who can afford can help to send a child to school and give him a possibility to become who they want.
Sharing the food with the boys was great. Always two of the main courses: rice and beans, Ugali and beans. We have not been ashamed to eat with hands and share with others. That ritual was making all more gathered and was nice break as well. Cultural food and atmosphere is going through you without even noticing it.
We organized with other volunteers a disco day for boys to entertain them and we were serving different kind of food for our ‘living does’. It was sad to see how volunteers flying back to England and leaving that mysterious country. However it was nice to see how different kind of people can get together so well without knowing each other and only being a few weeks volunteers in Africa.
I did ‘street work’, where I saw some children from the centre that had run away back to the street life and it made me sad. What impressed me more was when I saw a very young woman living on the street with a child. I never thought I will see anything like that, things which we see on TV.
I was in shock by seeing this very young woman with a baby girl seating at he edge of the street, being pregnant and sniffing glue. I was holding my tears in myself, was thinking to take that one child and help her but I could not. I bought them something to eat. It was very hot and the young girl day was wearing a warm sweater and her mum was incredible tin. Picturing views of healthy mothers which we see in Europe, it was heart breaking, looking at the African mother.
I went to other places like Malindi, where I saw villages with small houses where at least 4 children were living in. I went in one of them and I bought biscuits for the children. They were really nice and welcoming. I love children, but these meant a lot to me. When they smiled and run and shout ‘Jambo’ (Hello), they straight put a smile on you. I remember that I did not want to leave, I was hungry but I still adored walking over there. Tears were falling on our cheeks when we were leaving from the village with the two other volunteers.
I visited also an orphanage with 17 children. The conditions there were very good; everything looked very clean and healthy. It was a pleasure for me to feed and play with them.
Reading my book the last day in Kenya, I could not believe that the next day I will be backing home and will not see the children from the centre again. I will remember until my last day the eyes of small Joshua who had thinner legs from my hands and who was feeling ashamed whenever he saw me. I just wanted to take him with me but it was not possible.
Most of the places I have been in my life and the people I met they are always far and it is not possible to revisit them many times. But I value them and I always will. These children have a very special place in my heart and I know that in the future I will have something valuable to share with my children and speak about the people who live there in poor conditions but they are still thankful for what they have. I just hope that these kids with the help of the rescue centre will be able to build their own ‘nestle’ and provide love for their homes one day.
Marta Ostrouch
Email Marta at waris_marta@hotmail.com
December 2009
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Grandsons of Abraham currently cares for approximately 105 children and this year endeavours to make sure every child in the rescue centre has a happy Christmas. We appeal to you to help make this Christmas special for all the children.
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