Smiles don’t cost a thing : volunteering in Kenya

A trip too short but nevertheless insightful, took me and a friend to Kenya for a volunteer project at a primary school. The impact of the experience perhaps greater felt by us than the 215 children we met along the way.

Part I

As my derrière leaves the seat catching air a foot high, I can’t help but ponder why now, of all moments on the trip thus far, the life methodology of Kenyan pole pole (slowly slowly) is not being followed.

It appears that our driver attacks decrepit red dirt tracks with the same gusto as the the bitumen roads that brought us this far. The Lonely Planet didn’t mention this rowdy last 10km stretch to Shimoni. Shocks and jarring aside, I am grateful, because initially I had my doubts about this rickety matatu getting us to our destination in the first place. At KSH 250 (€2.50) for the three hour journey, I’m grateful to arrive in one piece.

Grateful.

Reflecting on our first week working at Miche Bora Primary School, the resonating feeling is one of gratitude.

We’ve interacted with, and observed these kids for only five days, but already they’ve gifted us laughter, smiles and life lessons to last a lifetime. Our own fortunate life circumstances cause us constant unconscious comparisons in the back of our minds, but our take on first world problems slowly dims as we slip into Mombasa life.

The kindergarten and school are in the middle of a slum area north of Mombasa called Bombolulu. Our 15 minute walk to school from our homestay snakes us through the area, sometimes lost, and allows the locals to point out the two mzungu twice daily.

Due to time limitations (we’re here on annual leave from employment in Germany) we have not expected to be fully involved with the current curriculum,  especially since finding out it’s the end of term exam period.

Our craft and sports activities are however, welcomed with gleaming white smiles and cheers of excitement – just don’t hold us accountable for the newly found “shine shine” addictions among Bombolulu kids (and teachers!) As they take to smearing the glitter on their faces and skin, I picture for a moment the same application by party-goers in Berlin and feel that clash of worlds once more.

We spend the mornings preparing the materials for the class craft activities after lunch. We’ve decided to make simple paper crowns and allow the kids to draw and decorate with an abundance of colourful materials.

Starting with the oldest class (Standard 6 – 11 year olds – the Standard 7 class will be added next year which will be the first group of pupils to graduate from Miche Bora), at first the kids are timid and look at each other’s blank canvases for inspiration. While we give them suggestions about what to draw, it takes some time before they build the confidence to unleash their creative side – an indication that they are not accustomed to such art and craft activities. The teachers confirm that they do not have time or resources to dedicate to such luxuries, and it seems as though it’s a first for many of them as well!

Once we show the classes how to use gluesticks as an adhesive for the decorations, we quickly lose control of the ecstatic kids as they get the hang of creating chaos like any school class in the West.

As each child’s paper crown is completed and adorned, the level of excitement only escalates and each one is grinning like royalty.

Craft aside, thanks to our friends and family who have offered donations for supplies, we’ve brought a mountain of sports equipment with us from Germany. Footballs, volleyballs, skipping ropes, frisbees – the crowd goes wild each time they break for games, mornings and afternoons, with access to these new supplies.

Football is already a regular activity on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, but until now there hasn’t been another sports option. We show them games like Tunnelball, netball exercises, skipping becomes a hit – and still when time is up the kids ask for more! And what do they ask for? Running!

In 40 degree heat their energy is boundless, while we wazungu are no match for the elements.

We also rustle up a volleyball net which becomes a favourite amongst kids and teachers alike. Stay tuned for the Miche Bora volleyball champions to grace the global scene!

Each day the school congregates for lunch around the canopy area, which is a dilapidated corrugated iron makeshift shelter over the dirt ground. Developing countries are prone to rubbish disposal problems, and this area is no exception, it’s everywhere, often with the smell of burning plastic in the air. But somehow, cleanliness and basic hygiene are maintained as best they can, although we’d like to introduce soap to the hand-washing process.

Lunch usually consists of ugali – a porridge-like mix of flour and water designed to fill bellies at minimal cost – and an accompanying vegetarian sauce, usually beans, tomatoes or spinach.

It’s traditional to eat with the left hand, creating small balls of ugali and dipping in the sauce. Easier said than done. This is apparently a skill you have to be born with, because after several failed attempts my ugali is crumbled and swimming in the sauce, and my fingers slightly burned.

Each day I marvel at the older children helping the young ones, ensuring that they are all served their portion before any of the other classes. There’s a sense of responsibility and pride in their roles that is apparent to any onlooker.

Another ungracious bump sends me hurdling back to the matatu, the red dust, the promise of an island weekend ahead. Because like all teachers, we deserve the weekend.