Planting Trees and Inspiring Women

Kenya continues to be a sunny and welcoming experience, and so much has happened since my last post!

Active Citizenship Day

More or less every Friday (depending on any other events planned), the team hosts an Active Citizenship Day, giving each volunteer placement a chance to educate their peers and those they have been working with on a specific topic that is relevant to global development. My team chose to raise awareness around deforestation, its causes, impacts and the various solutions, with a particular focus on afforestation. With not much time to plan and me being a novice in the topic, we each researched the issue at a global, national and local level.

The ACD began with a skit performed by the ICT Centre students that highlighted the importance of planting trees, and their enthusiasm definitely set the tone for the rest of the session. We had several different discussion activities and energizers (games to keep everyone awake) lead by both ICS volunteers and the students from the ICT classes.

To promote the solution of afforestation covered in the final session, the whole group headed outside to the grounds of the County Offices to plant 12 trees in various locations. It was a learning experience for many who had never planted anything in their lives! This appears to have been an inspiring act, as other placements and events have taken on this tree planting effort as well.

Home and Social Life

I am learning so much from my host home. My mama has insisted that she host a chapati making competition for the volunteers, so I do hope that I will be posting about that in the future.

A couple of weekends ago the girls decided to have a small ‘pamper day’, where we shared tips and did each others make up, followed by an hour long photoshoot session! A relaxing weekend is always welcome on ICS and everyone certainly felt better for it.

Quite a jump from the pamper day was the hike we took! Even as it was being planned, I knew it would be a struggle for me as recently I haven’t been as physically active as I have in the past. Add 30°C heat to that and you have a real challenge. But I am so proud of myself for never giving up or getting a cheeky bike to the top. And as always, the view was worth it. We walked a total of 6km, and although we’re pretty high up here in Wote, we went from 1km elevation to 1.8km.

International Women’s Day

As well as ACDs, we also are responsible for hosting a handful of Community Action Days. Our cycle were lucky enough to take the opportunity of International Women’s Day and make it a CAD.

With around 600 people invited, there were several activities planned. We danced with the local women’s groups, bought their products, watched a skit, displayed facts & quotes and celebrated each other with various speeches – two UK volunteers, Ani and Emily, bravely delivered theirs in Swahili, much to the delight of the crowd.

My personal favourite was the ‘Women Who Inspire Me’ banner that everyone was encouraged to contribute to. To know that we all have the ability to positively impact people’s lives is a wonderful feeling.

Last but not least, I was delighted to be involved in my first ever march! We walked 2km to town and back with signs and songs protesting GBV (gender based violence) with various local women’s groups (including my wonderful host mum, GBV advocate of Wote). It’s pretty hard to describe the feeling you get when a group of Kenyan women sing – it’s so powerful. I have celebrated IWD in many ways through the years, and to do so with women I haven’t known for long, women who are supporting my journey, who have welcomed me so kindly to their country, some who I only met for the day, was such a special experience.

Getting to Work

Welcome in Wote

I feel as though I have expressed this in every blog post, but each day Wote feels more like a home. Getting to know the rest of my wonderful team has been a pleasure; I can already tell it’s going to be difficult saying goodbye to them, to this beautiful place, and to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.

Riding around town

My host mum shows me a short cut

Now that our placements have started, I can start to see the different ways that I can and will grow as a person, as well as how I am able to help others.

I love being on a committee

One of my favourite tasks has to be planning our Mid-Phase Review. Those who know me well will understand my love of organisation and planning, so this is a dream. It is a new exciting treat being able to decide and facilitate various sessions on things such as how we are faring in our host homes, our placements, and reflecting on our own personal aims. I’ve already drafted a detailed timetable.

A whole notebook dedicated to MPR planning!

There is some pressure to make this weekend fun for everyone whilst also balancing in our own reflections and predictions for the cycle. Even with this I am sure the team will be able to deliver a fun filled weekend and much needed break.

Youth Training

On a weekly basis we have been training youths aged 18-25 across Makueni County on various different life skills. In delivering these sessions, I now finally understand what they mean when they say that you learn 90% of what you teach.

Even though teaching is something I never thought I would do, I am grateful for the learning experience. Especially given the language barrier, I am becoming more patient and open to new ideas.

Youths in Kathonzweni

Leadership training

In the first week, we focused our sessions on leadership and communication. This second week has been about entrepreneurship, and will hopefully be very relevant to many of the youths in the area as there are several grants available to those looking to start a business.

Birthday Celebrations

Within our team we have had the joy of celebrating three birthdays already. The Social committee worked hard to organise a suprise party for Simon, Toby and Ani last weekend, and my main memory from it will always be that my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. That and the Kenyan volunteers chasing the birthday people around to smear their faces with (delicious) cake icing.

The whole team

Lending a hand at St. Patrick’s

We’re very proud of our slope!

Yesterday, the team volunteered their free time to help out Caitlin, Laxton and Lois at their placement. St. Patrick’s is a boarding school for children with disabilities and the terrain on the site is not suitable for those with extra needs. So we all found shovels and the like and dug in to some hard, physical labour. By the end of the day there were many blisters and sun burns but also so many smiles.

With the St. Patrick’s lot

Feeling Motivated

Training

This week, the team have been meeting at the local Red Cross, where VSO has use of the offices, almost every day. The ride in for me is absolutely gorgeous, there’s a point where I’m going downhill and I can see all the mountains. It’s a great way to start the day.

the views in Wote are priceless

For the most part of this week, we have been learning about goal setting, conflict resolution, what it takes to be a facilitator, human rights over the world and in Kenya as well as the specific issues within Makueni.

the VSO Makueni Cycle 5 team

This has been very motivating and interesting, and made me all the more keen to get started on my placement.

Committees

Amoungst my other responsibilities, I have beven assigned to the MPR committee. MPR stands for Mid Phase Review, and is a chance, halfway through our time here, for the volunteers to take a break for the weekend and evaluate and reflect on their time.

the UK volunteers

The organisation nerd in me is excited to be able to plan something that will hopefully benefit and energise everyone.

Placement

I have been placed at Kathonzweni, where I will be working within the local government to provide skills training to recent school leavers.

We will also be meeting with various local groups and organisations, listening to their needs and distributing a baseline questionnaire to identify the most marginalized people.

I’m looking forward to being able to share what I know, and although there may be some hurdles to jump with regards to cultural differences and communication, I know that my fellow volunteers and I will be supporting eachother throughout.

Activities

Aside from the usual team building activities we’ve all had to endure, the Makueni team have been up to a lot this week. I think I’ve played more games of Uno in these two weeks than I ever have in my life.

‘in’ the river

the Kaiti river

On Thursday, we took a long walk to and through the (dried up) river. I really cannot get over how beautiful Makueni is.

pool day!

Saturday was highly anticipated, as we had decided to go swimming at the local hotel pool. Although my skin finally succumbed to sunburn, the day was gorgeous and everyone was definitely happier for the break.

Feelings

Overall, I’m feeling more and more comfortable in Wote. I know my way around a bit more and I’m picking up a little more Swahili everyday. Knowing more about the projects and the other interesting things we’ll be able to do has me feeling driven and focused towards achieving the community’s vision.

Settling In

Getting there

Mambo! After a very busy few days of goodbye’s, hello’s, traveling and training, I am finally in my host home! Beginning this journey has been emotional, exciting and different. What reassures me is that every day I am learning something new and working towards a common goal as well as my own personal goals.

Africa from above!

I have to say the most enjoyable part about these past few days has certainly been the views from the plane and from the car journey here to Wote. There is plenty of dust and dirt around that only make the trees and mountains stand out even more.

Something I always notice whenever I go abroad and that has given me comfort on my journey here is, although we travel to see somewhere different and have new experiences, there are so many similarities too. These mountains remind me of the English and Welsh countryside, and the hospitality of the community reminds me of my own home.

Makueni is beautiful!

Feeling Prepared

For the first couple of days since the whole team of UK and Kenyan volunteers came together at the hotel, we’ve been completing some country and community specific training to help us feel safe and comfortable in our new environment. VSO have been wonderful in supporting us and making sure that every question we have is answered.

In staying at the hotel I think that we benefited from being able to try the local food and learn some of the local language before going to our host homes, it certainly helped to ease the transition.

Wote Town

Exploring the town, you can see that there is always something going on. One little thing that I love are the signs for shops, because they are all hand painted and colourful. When you are one of few white people walking around, the children shout ‘mzungu!!’ (white person) as they wave and giggle. Many of the town stop and stare at you, which is nothing like I have ever experienced. It is understandable though, in this area of Kenya it is rare for a white person to be visiting, they often know we are volunteers before asking. I do feel welcome though, as anyone who talks to us thanks us for coming and is interested to hear our stories.

Host Homes

Suzanne’s house

Shortly after meeting my host mum Suzanne, I could tell that she was a cornerstone of her community. She has made me feel so welcome and comfortable in her home (one of the first houses built in her area in 1992) and even has the telly on NatGeo in the background, which makes me feel that home is never far away! Although there were some bug scares (which were absolutely me overreacting) and the usual homesickness, I know that Suzanne and her family as well as VSO are doing everything they can to make me feel safe and at home.

This coming week we will be starting to look at the specific projects that we will be working on, and I am so excited to get to work on helping this welcoming and beautiful community.

The Journey Begins

Today marks one week until I set off for Kenya! When people ask how I’m feeling, I tell them it’s that classic concoction of nervous and excited. I know that it will be a varied and enriching experience, and I can’t wait to get started.

Makueni County

The second most common question people ask is, ‘what will you be doing?’ Not exploring the safari parks, unfortunately. I am proud to be going as an ICS volunteer! For three months, I will be living and working in a rural community in Makueni County which is south of the equator (!) and of Nairobi.

With roughly 70% of the population below the age of 30, there is much work to be done to help Kenya reach their Sustainable Development Goals as well as Kenya Vision 2030 and Makueni Vision 2025.

Makueni in relation to Nairobi

Video – A Look at the Sustainable Development Goals

Why am I volunteering?

With ICS, I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself by sharing my skills and giving my time to those in need. I can build my skills whilst at the same time learning about a totally different culture. Also, I do recognize that I am in a privileged position in that I can afford to leave my home for three months, and I’m grateful to have been accepted onto this government-funded scheme. I am so excited to learn and develop personally, at the same time as gaining a better understanding of international development.

ICS – International Citizen Service

Funded by the Department for International Development (DfID), ICS is free to participate in, apart from an £800 fundraising commitment. Pairing volunteers aged 18-25 with counterparts from the host country, ICS allows you to fully immerse yourself in the community you are helping. There is support at every step of the programme, ensuring that volunteers are committed to fundraising and volunteering at home alongside their experience abroad.

An outline of my ICS journey

Video – Volunteer overseas with ICS – not just another volunteering programme

Fundraising

Part of the ICS journey is to fundraise £800 to prove an active commitment to the programme and to VSO. I am lucky to be surrounded by generous, helpful and encouraging friends & family who all helped me to achieve my target. Through bake sales, a live below the line challenge, sewing commissions, and a Kenyan themed Christmas meal, I was able to surpass my goal.

Bake Sales galore!

VSO – Voluntary Services Overseas

When you apply to ICS, you have to answer various questions about your motivations, strengths, weaknesses and past volunteering experiences. This alongside other factors helps to pair you with one of three different partner charities. I was matched to VSO and their work in Kenya.

VSO’s vision is a world without poverty, and they are very much focused on sharing skills, working with and listening to the communities in which they work. I am excited to be joining the team, as their ethos is clear throughout everything they do.

Video – Being a VSO Volunteer

About Kenya

A story goes that Kenya was named so after German explorers asked their guide what they called the mountain (now known as Mount Kenya), to which he replied ‘kiinyaa’, the word for the gourd he was carrying at the time.

In preparation for my trip, I have been reading books and doing some research so I have some context before I live in this country for 3 months.

Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963. Previous to this, colonial rule stole land and converted many tribes to Christianity, meaning many traditions and values remain only with older generations. There are 42 different tribes, each with their own cultural aspects. In Makueni, the Kamba tribe predominates.

Today, Kenya is one of the most unequal countries in Africa, with 42% of its population of 44 million living below the poverty line. With 39.1% of the population out of work, Kenya has the worst unemployment rate in East Africa. VSO Kenya works in three thematic areas: inclusive education, youth employment & entrepreneurship and social accountability.

Agriculture is Kenya’s main contributor to their GDP

The work

VSO Kenya focuses on supporting both marginalised and disadvantaged youth. Their youth programme focuses on increasing employability and entrepreneurship among those aged 15- 29 years who are underemployed. Further to this, there is a focus on those with disabilities, single mothers, and young people from pastoral communities.

With the rest of my team, we will be working to provide the local community with various workshops, mentorship activities, and career fairs, as well as conducting research to help achieve VSO’s goal.

Packed and Ready

Now, with a week to go, I am already fully packed (what can I say, I’m a planner), I’ve had all my jabs, sent off all the right documents, patiently waited for information and even bought myself a Nokia-style brick.

When I arrive at the airport I will meet the rest of my team and get started with what I know is going to be an amazing, life changing journey.