RSIS Kenya 2011 Final Report - Round Square
RSIS Kenya 2011 Final Report - Round Square
RSIS Kenya 2011 Final Report - Round Square
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ROUND SQUARE<br />
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE<br />
PROJECT KENYA <strong>2011</strong>
AIMS: To build a classroom for Riadira Primary School and ease the problem of overcrowding in the<br />
classrooms.<br />
LOCATION: Riandira, near Sagana, 104km north-west of Nairobi, <strong>Kenya</strong><br />
STAFF: Kate Anderson - Overseas Leader – St Philip’s College - Australia<br />
Carlos Cazorla – Assistant Leader – Salem School - Germany<br />
Gordon Ingram – Team Medical Officer – England<br />
Jorg Taenzler – Adult Participant - Germany<br />
Peter Ndungu – <strong>Kenya</strong>n Leader – Starehe Boys’ Centre<br />
James – Driver - Starehe Boys’ Centre<br />
Joseph – Security Officer – Starehe Boys’ Centre
FROM START TO FINISH AT THE WORKSITE
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS TEAM LIST<br />
Name:<br />
Brooke Griffin<br />
Victoria Cant<br />
Mimi Deacon<br />
Rachel Herold<br />
Rebecca West<br />
Rebecca Mathieson<br />
Nicole Lindbeck<br />
Thais Bordarampe Lahoud<br />
Alejandra Ibarra Dias<br />
Andrew Griffith<br />
Victoria Stuckey<br />
Ben Angus<br />
Natasha Wells<br />
Kamogelo Vilakazi<br />
Candace Barritt<br />
Daniel Herrmann<br />
Lauren Kinmont<br />
Dhananjay Singh Hada<br />
Tandej Sarkaria<br />
School:<br />
Westminster School<br />
Westminster School<br />
St Clements School<br />
St Clements School<br />
Gordonstoun<br />
Gordonstoun<br />
Bunbury Catherdral Grammar<br />
Markham College<br />
Markham College<br />
Ivanhoe Grammar School<br />
Ivanhoe Grammar School<br />
Ivanhoe Grammar School<br />
St Cyprians School<br />
St Cyprians School<br />
Bishops College School<br />
Bayview Glen School<br />
St Stithians College<br />
Mayo College<br />
Mayo College<br />
STAREHE BOYS’ CENTRE PARTICIPANTS<br />
Cyrus Obuja Pascal Aringo Joshua Korir<br />
Edwin Karanja William Mbae Georffrey Moenga<br />
Eric Juma Richard Gituku Ian Achira<br />
Festus Maseki Noah Kipkemboi Moses Muthoka<br />
George Toya Newton Mwavu Mark Orina
Leader’s <strong>Report</strong><br />
December <strong>2011</strong> saw me back in <strong>Kenya</strong> for another <strong>RSIS</strong><br />
project. We were off to Riandira Primary School near Sagana,<br />
north of Nairobi. Students travelled from all continents of the<br />
globe and united at The Starehe Boys Centre and School in<br />
Nairobi to begin the adventure. Nineteen international<br />
students met with fifteen boys from the Starehe Centre. Our<br />
group also included Peter, James and Joseph from Starehe,<br />
Gina and her cooking assistants, Chengo, Felix and Milaki,<br />
plus Carlos, Jess and Jorg.<br />
Excitement built as we drove north to Savage Camp, near Sagana. We drove past the school on the way<br />
there and students got their first glimpse of what lay ahead. Very quickly routines were established;<br />
sleeping and washing procedures, work clothes that could be worn for several days, the latest possible<br />
time one could get up before breakfast and the playing of cards in every spare minute. Chess also<br />
featured heavily with everyone vying for the title of “project champion”<br />
The work was physically taxing on all. The tools were basic: spades, wheelbarrows, plastic buckets,<br />
planks of wood and the directions were sometimes confusing! However, the enthusiasm of the students<br />
never wavered and very soon the walls were starting to rise above the ground. As the walls rose each<br />
day, so did the level of excitement and achievement: strangers had gathered initially, unsure of each<br />
other and nervous within themselves and very swiftly, friendships were formed. The three work groups:<br />
Harambee, Simba and Bantar encouraged pride in their members and teamwork was evident from the<br />
beginning.<br />
The work was broken up by a day of rafting on the Tana River. The morning proved to be action-packed<br />
with spills out of the rafts, water fights between groups and shrieking as we raced down rapids. Everyone<br />
ended up swimming at some point during the day but thankfully most of us avoided the unexpected swim!<br />
A visit to the local church and smaller group visits to local homes also gave us respite from the work.<br />
Students experienced the singing, clapping and rejoicing that occurs in <strong>Kenya</strong>n services and then walked<br />
to various homes to gain an insight into daily life. This was a confronting experience for many and one not<br />
to forget, particularly as students had previously been involved in purchasing some essentials to give as<br />
gifts to the home owners. It was remarkable to see that a family could survive on as little as US$1 a day<br />
and made us all the more grateful for our own families.<br />
Markham College in Peru had worked hard to<br />
raise funds for Riandira Primary School. Alejandra<br />
Ibarra Dias and Thias Bordarampe Lahoud came<br />
into Sagana with the Head Teacher, Christopher<br />
and I and we employed a carpenter to make 80<br />
desks that the school will receive by the end of<br />
January. This will certainly make class more<br />
comfortable for the many children who can now sit<br />
with one other student as opposed to four!<br />
It was a sad farewell at Starehe on Dec 22nd<br />
when the international students headed off for the<br />
cultural phase of the project, a visit to the Maasai
Mara National Park. Strong friendships had been formed in such a short space of time and the memories<br />
made will hopefully last a lifetime.<br />
In another act of generosity, Westminster School in Australia had raised funds to purchase a watertank<br />
for Legacy School in Narok, on the way to the Maasai National Park. Brooke Griffin and Victoria Cant<br />
handed over funds for the tank, which had already been purchased for the school and we had a tour of<br />
the beautiful little school which is changing the futures of many children already. The watertank will<br />
ensure there is sufficient water for eating, drinking and washing by the many boarding students at the<br />
school.<br />
I would like to thank all the participants who challenged themselves over the three weeks and<br />
congratulate them on achieving our goal. Thank you for sharing yourselves with the group, for stepping<br />
outside your comfort zones and for making the most of every opportunity that presented itself. I feel<br />
blessed to have been a part of this project over the previous few years and am a firm believer that<br />
students from <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> schools have the ability to have an impact on this world.<br />
I hope that <strong>Kenya</strong> remains in the forefront of your minds and that you may one day again, find yourselves<br />
on African soil.<br />
Kate Anderson
Deputy Leader’s <strong>Report</strong><br />
I was very excited to go back to <strong>Kenya</strong> and check the<br />
classroom we built last year. I was also looking forward to<br />
meeting my <strong>Kenya</strong>n friends: Peter, Gina, Christopher,<br />
Harrison... as well as the families and children we met at<br />
Riandira last year. I was pleased with the changes I saw at<br />
the school due, partly, to our contribution: a new garden, a<br />
vegetable garden, tidy classrooms and a sense of pride at<br />
their school.<br />
From the moment I met the first few participants I felt this<br />
year was going to be great. Most mornings we would get up with a song performed by some of our<br />
students. It was a brilliant start to a day of mixing, moving bricks and washing dishes. But it was not all<br />
just hard work; there were opportunities to talk, play games and get to know each other.<br />
Our international team was ready for the action and teamed up with the Starehe boys. I was, once again,<br />
inspired by their stories and how they want to make a difference in their communities. Most of them want<br />
to give back to their people by becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers or teachers. I hope they will<br />
remember the time we spent together.<br />
Even though the work was hard and the days hot, we all achieved a great deal and had a good time<br />
getting to know each other. This group learnt the different jobs very quickly and needed very little<br />
supervision. It was a pleasure to work with such committed and enthusiastic people; they made our<br />
experience much more enjoyable. It was not just work; we laughed, sang, played cards, danced, kung<br />
fued, played volleyball, had competitions, gazed at the stars and collected great and wonderful memories.<br />
My two favourite activities are always the visit to the church and the home visits. Going to church is a<br />
unique experience to most of us and it is an opportunity to introduce ourselves to the community. They<br />
are very welcoming and grateful for the job RS is doing. During the home visits, we have the chance to<br />
participate in the everyday life of a family and find out more about their expectations, living conditions,<br />
values and traditions. This year I took some of the international students to the supermarket to buy the<br />
food for the families a few days before the visit. This way our students could have a better idea of how<br />
much a few dollars can be stretched and what sort of food these people can or cannot afford. It was eyeopening.<br />
I was very sad to leave and say goodbye to all these wonderful people, from our students to our <strong>Kenya</strong>n<br />
friends who make us feel welcome. I feel very privileged and I am grateful for this unique experience. I<br />
would like to finish by thanking Kate for sharing three wonderful years with me; <strong>Kenya</strong> will not be the<br />
same without you.<br />
Thank you all for the success of this project.<br />
Carlos Cazorla
Jorg Taenzler Adult Participant<br />
Dieses Project was eine wunderbare Eifarahrung in<br />
meinem Leben. Ich nehme sehr viele positive Eindrύcke<br />
aus diesen Projekt mit. Ich werde die Zeit nie vergessen.<br />
Ich weiβ jetzt wie gut es uns in Europa geht, Es war eine<br />
sehr schōne Zeit mit den Schuzern zuarbeiten Jetzt bin<br />
ich aber auch froh wieder nach Deutschland zu meiner<br />
Familie zu fliegen.<br />
This project was a wonderful experience in my life. I’m<br />
taking many positive memories from this project. I will never forget this time. I know how easy things are<br />
for us in Europe. I had a very good time working with the students. I am also very happy though, to go<br />
back to Germany to see my family.<br />
Gordon Ingram (A.K.A. Jess) Medical Officer
WORKING GROUPS<br />
Group Name Meaning Group Leader Group Members<br />
Bantar<br />
Casual<br />
conversation<br />
Carlos<br />
Brooke Griffin<br />
Dhananjay Singh<br />
Ben Angus<br />
Rebecca West<br />
Thais Bordarampe Lahoud<br />
Candace Barritt<br />
Lauren Kinmont<br />
Newton Mwavu<br />
Moses Muthoka<br />
George Toya<br />
Edwin Karanja<br />
Simba Strong as a lion James and<br />
Joseph<br />
Cyril Obuja<br />
Victoria Cant<br />
Tandejajit Sarkaria<br />
Rachel Herold<br />
Rebecca Mathieson<br />
Alejandra Ibarra Dias<br />
Natasha Wells<br />
William Mbae<br />
Noah Kipkemboi<br />
Mark Orina<br />
Geoffrey Moenga<br />
Eric Juma<br />
Harambee Let’s pull together Jorg Daniel Hermann<br />
Mimi Deacon<br />
Andy Griffith<br />
Nicole Lindbeck<br />
Kamogelo Vilakazi<br />
Victoria Stuckey<br />
Pascal Aringo<br />
Richard Gituku<br />
Ian Achira<br />
Joshua Korir<br />
Festus Maseki
DAILY SCHEDULE<br />
Morning wake up song by any interested parties<br />
Breakfast<br />
Wash up and clean up<br />
6.30am<br />
7am<br />
7.30 – 8am<br />
Walk to work site 8 – 8.30<br />
Work session #1 8.30 – 10.30<br />
Morning Tea 10.30 – 10.45<br />
Work session #2<br />
10.45 – 1pm<br />
Return to camp/ wash up 1 – 1.30<br />
Lunch 1.30<br />
Personal time<br />
2pm – 4pm*<br />
Domestics 2 – 4pm<br />
Tea 4 – 4.15<br />
Group activity<br />
Dinner<br />
4.15 – 5.15pm<br />
6pm<br />
Personal time 6.30 – 8.45pm Domestics must<br />
assist with dinner clean up<br />
Tents<br />
Lights out<br />
9pm<br />
9.30pm<br />
*Domestics: Group is to report to Gina at 2pm to assist with dinner preparations. They will wash up from<br />
lunch as well as afternoon tea; then begin dinner preparations. They are then to wash the dishes after<br />
dinner.
DOMESTICS GROUP GROUP ACTIVITY<br />
Monday Dec 12 th<br />
Visit the work site and meet<br />
Christopher and Harrison<br />
Tuesday Dec 13 th Banter #1 Individual group discussions<br />
Wednesday Dec 14 th Simba #1 Sports and brains tournament<br />
Thursday Dec 15 th Harambee #1 Own time: swimming, washing,<br />
sleeping<br />
Friday Dec 16th Banter #2 Rafting<br />
Saturday Dec 17 th Simba #2 Own time<br />
Sunday Dec 18 th Harambee #2 church and home visit<br />
Monday Dec 19 th Banter #1 Volleyball<br />
Tuesday Dec 20 th Simba #1 Church and home visits, final<br />
rehearsal, letter to self<br />
Wednesday Dec 21st Harambee Cultural Night<br />
Thursday Dec 22nd Harambee #2 Departure day
CULTURAL NIGHT: MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Kamo<br />
Rebecca 2<br />
Banter<br />
Canadian Crew<br />
Harambee<br />
The Aussies<br />
Simba<br />
South Africa<br />
Nicole and the internationals<br />
Panda<br />
BIB<br />
Peruvians<br />
The Incredible Indians<br />
Daniel Herrmann<br />
Edwin and the band<br />
The Starehe boys<br />
Scottish Dancing<br />
La Cucaracha remix<br />
“Canadia the Musical”<br />
Words fail me!<br />
Songs of home to educate the world<br />
Roar like a lion<br />
Siya Vuma<br />
Christmas carols<br />
Kung Fu Fighting<br />
Du-Et<br />
A Spanish masterpiece<br />
Songs and dance<br />
Hamlet monologue<br />
A musical extravanganza<br />
Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOME VISITS: Lauren Kinmont<br />
On Sunday 18 th December, our group travelled to a local <strong>Kenya</strong>n<br />
country household. After the long walk, we arrived at the house<br />
and were met with the sight of three delightful young children. The<br />
oldest brother arrived soon after and told us that their mother had<br />
gone to the church to meet us; unfortunately she had gone to the<br />
wrong church. We laughed and played with the children until the<br />
mother returned.<br />
The small house had only three rooms that were very compact<br />
(about four by five meters). Outside there was a mud walled room<br />
used as a kitchen and around the corner stood a separate building<br />
for the oldest brother to sleep. We learned that it is tradition in<br />
<strong>Kenya</strong> for sons to be circumcised at age 13-14 and to then receive<br />
a separate room apart from the house. A raised building was<br />
situated next to the house which contained the livestock. The<br />
family had two rabbits, a cow with a calf, and had recently been<br />
given two puppies as a gift. They owned two acres of land which<br />
was separated between living space and crops. This was a small piece of land in comparison to others in<br />
the area. In the nearby town there was electricity but not in their house. The family was lucky enough to<br />
receive fresh running water that was placed a few years earlier by an international company. The water,<br />
which they paid for by volume, came from the river which was transported by pipes and purified by a<br />
company before coming to the single tap near their home. If the water level was low in the river, they<br />
could go without water for a long time (up to three months).<br />
There were five people living in the main house: the wife, husband and their three youngest children. Out<br />
of the four children, the three youngest attended the primary school in which we are working at. The<br />
father was not present for our visit because he was out trying to find work, doing small jobs around town.<br />
The women are expected to stay at home doing manual work such as weeding and looking after the farm<br />
while also cooking and cleaning for the family, while the men bring in money. They eat mainly dairy,<br />
maize and beans which is home grown and then cooked over a fire. They store the food for winters and<br />
droughts by drying the beans/maize. The family is Christian and celebrate Christmas by slaughtering a<br />
goat if they can afford it. Otherwise they will eat ugali and everyone will go to church for the celebration.<br />
Women do not get circumcised and will stay with the family until they get married and then they will move<br />
to the man’s house. The dowry for a woman is more if she is beautiful or a virgin, it is set by woman’s<br />
family but can be debated down by man’s family.<br />
We gave the family gifts of food and they were extremely grateful. After a tour of the house we went out to<br />
work in the fields with the family. Even though it was a Sunday and they usually don’t work, they still<br />
helped us as we cleared their fields of weeds. We had lunch and shared our packed lunch among<br />
ourselves and the children. We then asked questions about their lifestyle and way of life. We learned that<br />
if anyone in their household were to become ill there is a local clinic which they can visit; it is very western<br />
with doctors and not many medicine men. If the illness is very severe then there is a large hospital in<br />
Sagana. When asked about the foreigners in the area they said that they really appreciate the building<br />
project that we were completing. They can see the positive as more people can now go to school. They<br />
would like to see more help in the home perspective as they often struggle to get food or pay for the<br />
school/water fees. The education is good as they believe that God will help them get a good job when<br />
they finish school. It was very satisfying to know that we were making a difference in the community.
Harambee group home visit: Tori Stuckey<br />
Our home visit was only a 3 minute walk down a dirt trakl opposite the Riandira Primary school. The<br />
home comprised of a small mud brick house (similar to our school room) and an adjacent shelter where<br />
food was stored and prepared. We met the father of the household, Jamlick Maina, who gave us a brief<br />
overview of his lifestyle. He has a wife and 3 female children. They live on a one acre block where they<br />
farm corn and house 18 chickens, 2 goats and 2 cows. The two younger children go to school at Riandira<br />
primary school, while the oldest daughter, being 21 years of age, does not attend school.<br />
Chores include farming, weeding, collecting water and firewood, caring for the animals, cooking and<br />
cleaning. The father was a mechanic in Nairobi, where he earnt money to send to the family. However, he<br />
found life tedious so opted to live in the countryside. In addition to his immediate family, Jamlick also<br />
supports his parents and 2 brothers. One brother works at White-water Adventures, while the other one<br />
farms next door to Jamlick. He also had 3 sisters, two of which are married, and one who had died.<br />
The family sources their water from a nearby well which is piped to them. They must pay 200-300KSH<br />
each month for this water. Each day, the father must feed the animals then care for his crops. The young<br />
children play games such as skipping, in between helping with the chores. The children must go to<br />
primary school under all circumstances, and the father strongly believes that they must complete school<br />
before getting married. The family lives on approximately 100KSH each day, which is not always<br />
available, or practical. This money pays for onions, flour, cooking oil and vegetables. If they run out of<br />
money, they must eat their own crops or work on other farms also. Jamlick has lived on this property for<br />
his whole life (46yrs) and plans on staying there.<br />
In preparation for Christmas, Jamlick is saving money to buy wheat flour,<br />
and intends on sacrificing one of his chickens. He also hopes to save<br />
enough money to buy fruit juice for his children. This came as a shock to<br />
Harambee because we did not expect something so common as juice to<br />
be considered such a precious commodity to anyone. This also opened<br />
our eyes to the sheer poverty that this family is facing. Jamlick also<br />
explained that he expected a good harvest for his crops soon. When<br />
asked about his faith, Jamlick told us he believes in God and attends the<br />
ACK Catholic church next to the primary school. He is always appreciative<br />
of what happens in his life, as he believes God intended it to be so.<br />
Next we talked to his eldest daughter, Janet Muthoni, aged 21. She did<br />
not get the chance to attend high school because her family could not<br />
afford the school fees. She lives with her family so she can help with the<br />
farming and chores. In her free time, Janet likes to help out at her church<br />
because she appreciates God’s influence on her life. In the future, she would like to work in Nairobi<br />
because she believes there are more jobs available. However, she has no qualifications yet, and so must<br />
stay on the farm. She does not enjoy her lifestyle, however is not yet ready to start her own family and so<br />
must stay on the farm to support her parents and younger sisters.<br />
After our chat, we helped the family by contributing to their chores. We weeded, swept, washed dishes<br />
and collected water, then delivered some gifts to the family. Overall, Harambee gained a hugely<br />
appreciative and crucial understanding about the harsh lives of many individuals. This experience of<br />
visiting a single family opened our eyes to the reality of poverty, and directly demonstrated to us the plight<br />
of millions of people world-wide. This further enhanced our passion to help the people around us who are<br />
not as fortunate as we are.
Student Comments Candace Barritt: Bishop’s College School<br />
I was in Canada at my boarding school Bishops College School when I heard the news that I would be<br />
going to <strong>Kenya</strong> from December 10 th to December 28 th , knowing I’ll have to leave my parents, family,<br />
friends for over my Christmas break, and also missing Christmas will be the first.<br />
I’m not a person that gets home sick, and after doing an exchange with round square last year to<br />
Australia I thought it would be a good choice to go on a service project to do something I wouldn’t<br />
normally do- build a school for children!<br />
I live in Bermuda but go to school in Canada, so when I arrived in Nairobi airport knowing that I would be<br />
going on the big adventure- by myself, this would be another step to becoming a grown up. On the drive<br />
to the school, we passed one of the largest slums in <strong>Kenya</strong>, and that was one of the things that shocked<br />
me because you hear on the news and in books that we have poverty and slums, but seeing one in<br />
person makes me feel better about building a class room that would educate more than 30 students.<br />
I arrived at the school Starehe Boys Centre wihich has high security (common in Nairobi) with the<br />
expectation that we would start building soon. When I did arrive there was already to students from Peru<br />
and two from India, and meeting a few of the boys that would helping us do the work for the next week<br />
and a half. Every few hours students would arrive from all around the world. We bonded with the group<br />
for two days, playing varies games and sports.<br />
We arrived to Sagana and we were staying at a public camp about 1km away from the work sight. We<br />
were set up with are tent mate who we would be spending the next 10 days together which was great as<br />
we could find out about their school and work alongside them. My tent mate is Tash from South Africa, so<br />
I got some insight from her about the differences she sees in <strong>Kenya</strong>, even though she is in the same<br />
continent.<br />
Every day on the work site I would do something different, from moving stones, hammering wood,<br />
cementing walls, metal work. I have never worked with any of these tools before, but after using them and<br />
learning from professionals how it is done, its’ quite easy. Also seeing how old methods of construction<br />
are being used – that was really interesting.<br />
I’ve learnt that being a woman with rights is something I should take seriously because some girls don’t<br />
get to go to school. I’m grateful that I go to a <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> school where women are treated properly<br />
and we can see how privileged we are and maybe we can help those less fortunate than us in the future.
Noah Kipkemboi: The Starehe Centre<br />
Aha! Oyeeahh! Yes! That’s it! I’m happy I’m in central <strong>Kenya</strong>. The school, quite great, just like where I<br />
come from. You can’t forget your past but you can change the present to better someone else’s future,<br />
that’s exactly what we are doing.<br />
Simba group and all the groups in general are great there are nice personalities in each. Oh, I almost<br />
forgot; the food...superlicious! The forks and blunt knives scare me a bit though!<br />
I dream for the day all “schools” in <strong>Kenya</strong> will be schools and have a conducive environment to study in<br />
and this is a small step that we have just taken. I do believe this is not just about Africa, but many parts of<br />
the world, where things need to change for the better.<br />
I hope the leaders <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> is building through the projects will change resource management and<br />
customs for the human race. <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> is great, god bless all.<br />
Tandej Sarkaria: The Doon School<br />
<strong>RSIS</strong> <strong>Kenya</strong> <strong>2011</strong> was an awesome experience and a memory I will cherish all my life. It was very<br />
satisfying to build a classroom. One day when I come back to <strong>Kenya</strong> with my family and show them the<br />
classroom I helped build it will be one of the proudest moments of my life.<br />
I made some wonderful friends from different parts of the world and I will make sure I meet them again in<br />
life. The friends I made include the leaders who were awesome and very co-operative. The best part was<br />
that we had so much fun to go along with the work we did. I learnt so much about different cultures of the<br />
world and I think I am a wider person after this experience.<br />
The family visit made me feel very thankful to God for giving me the life I have. The cultural phase was<br />
fun and a perfect mixture of fun and work overall. Tomorrow when I say goodbye to everyone it will be<br />
very difficult and I will feel very sad, something I didn’t expect when I initially came to <strong>Kenya</strong>.<br />
Moses Kojuku: The Starehe Centre<br />
What a privilege! I lack words to describe this project so far. This is due to what I have encountered and<br />
what I have already learned. This chance I can straight forward call “a golden one” because it took me<br />
hard work to make it and be considered as an attendant at this international project.<br />
It is fortunate for me to meet people from all over the world and share many things in life and academics<br />
at large. It is during the project that I have learnt many games that before I considered worthless, but<br />
what someone considers bad could be useful to another therefore it is important to appreciate anyone’s<br />
ideas or games.<br />
You never know what lies beyond the horizon unless you become part of thee horizon because it was not<br />
until I shared a lot with the international students that I became enlightened. It has always been my<br />
assumption that all international students have a higher ability and capability than African students but the<br />
assumption has been proved wrong because all of us have the same ability to do something, thus we are<br />
all equal. Thank you all who made it possible for me to attend the project and long live <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong>!<br />
“Determination determines determined determination.”
Rebecca Mathieson: Gordonstoun<br />
At first I was very reserved when meeting all the new people on the project, I found it overwhelming<br />
however, after a couple of days of bonding and group activities I felt more comfortable around everyone.<br />
The project was great fun and you get a sense of overwhelming happiness when you finish a job and see<br />
the face of the teachers and head teacher as they look at all you have achieved. The most positive part o<br />
the trip was when the internationals emptied their bags of donations and we saw the vast amount of<br />
potential these resources could have for the students in need. Everything we gave was well received.<br />
Overall, I loved the group of internationals and the surprise at the end of the trip made Christmas away<br />
from home easier than anticipated.<br />
Newton Mwavu: The Starehe Centre<br />
I’m absolutely thrilled to get this chance to participate in a <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> service project. Special<br />
gratitude to those people who took some of their time to plan something like this for us. Then, special<br />
thank you to the founder of <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> and the current director for this opportunity. From my<br />
experience in <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> I have learnt:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
People don’t care about your intentions; they care about what you actually do.<br />
If everybody was satisfied with themselves, there would be no hero’s and so <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> has<br />
the hero’s.<br />
Acknowledge your history without being controlled by it. No matter what happens in your life, how<br />
you interpret events is up to you.<br />
Ben Angus: Ivanhoe Grammar<br />
The <strong>RSIS</strong> <strong>Kenya</strong> trip was one of the most memorable, enjoyable and amazing trips I have ever been on.<br />
The people I have met from <strong>Kenya</strong> and from the other RS schools are some of the most interesting and<br />
all over beautiful people I have ever met and we all shared some funny moments as well as some eye
opening and surprising moments. I don’t think I have ever had more fun or done anything more rewarding<br />
in my life and I think that everyone who has the opportunity to do this in their life should do so.<br />
Ian Achira: The Starehe Centre<br />
Once again, proud to be <strong>Kenya</strong>n – all thanks to <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong>! I never knew <strong>Kenya</strong> was such a beautiful<br />
place until I came to Sagana. Today we went rafting and this was fabulous. This has made me believe the<br />
world is a big place....no scratch that...we have all come from different parts of the world with one goal in<br />
mind, to make the world a better place.<br />
The project so far? WOW, fantastic! I never imagined I could ever help in building a house or room in any<br />
way but I am becoming an expert mason. Laying brick after brick takes patience, endurance, sacrifice and<br />
determination and this is what it will take to heal the world. I am very proud that <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> gave me<br />
an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of innocent children - those that are thirsty to be filled with<br />
knowledge.<br />
I thank everyone who made it possible for the <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> project <strong>2011</strong> to happen and for me to be a<br />
part of it. I thank all the friends I have made. I love <strong>Kenya</strong>!<br />
Thais Bordarampé: Markham College<br />
This project has changed my life. I will never be able to fully express my feelings and thoughts about this<br />
trip. Describing the country itself is something which I find difficult since its so different but at the same<br />
time, similar to mine. The people are just amazing; they did a wonderful job at making us feel at home<br />
and shared all they had which was really appreciated.<br />
All of the internationals were also amazing and we all got along very well from the beginning. The project<br />
itself was something very touching. We all joined together for the same purpose and the fact that some of<br />
the Starehe boys are perhaps as unfortunate as the kids who attended the primary school was something<br />
I found very nice. They all wanted to “give back to the community” and I liked that.<br />
Seeing the Maasai people at the end after spending some days at the safari lodge was something really<br />
shocking since it was so opposite to what I was experiencing at the lodge. It really made me cherish the<br />
opportunities that I have and made me realise how little some people have but how they cope with it while<br />
we worry about things that are insignificant in comparison.
I want to thank everyone who made this possible: the RS organisation, Kate, Carlos, Jess and his poop<br />
journal, Jorg, the Starehe boys, Mr Peter Ndungu, the internationals and <strong>Kenya</strong>, a country which will be<br />
special to me forever.<br />
Festus Nzioka: The Starehe Centre<br />
This is the most memorable activity I have done<br />
in my life, especially when it comes to community<br />
service. Staying with students from all over the<br />
world in the same camp was a good opportunity<br />
to learn different cultures and customs.<br />
Building at the worksite gave me more pleasure<br />
than anything else because it gave me the<br />
chance to give back to the community what it has<br />
so kindly given to me. “From those to whom<br />
much has been given, much will be required.” It<br />
was fun to work together and ti really seemed amazing how the work seemed easier than it really was.<br />
The most fun was when I turned 17. It was my very first time to celebrate my birthday away from home<br />
but I enjoyed it because everyone made me feel happy and I felt that I belonged to a big community and<br />
not just my family. Thanks to all.<br />
Lauren Kinmont: St Stithian’s Girls College<br />
This project has been an experience I shall never forget because of the beautiful sites we saw and things<br />
we experienced that we would never have been exposed to. This place and trip would not nearly have<br />
been the same without the people that have joined us; from the leaders and fellow <strong>RSIS</strong> students to the<br />
Starehe boys and the friendly “jambo’s” from passing strangers.<br />
I have experienced another country, another culture and another side of myself. We made a difference in<br />
another person’s life by building a classroom, making donations and spending time with other people. We<br />
were not just tourists but helped change lives, even if it was only a small moment in our own life.
Geoffrey Moenga: The Starehe Centre<br />
It’s been a moment of my life; a moment not worth regretting for the absolute expenditure of every second<br />
of it! Changing someone’s life for the better and making it more gorgeous to enjoy is all I’ve always<br />
anticipated and this has really been a good chance for me to maximise on. I must thank all those who<br />
considered me for this and really saw fit for me to participate. I’ve learnt a lot that I can tell that the<br />
outside world could be of importance in life...and this includes:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cooperation: despite the fact that we are of different backgrounds, sexes and all have different<br />
interests we were able to tackle the tasks we were given and did them by cooperating with each<br />
other.<br />
Attitude: at first the task ahead seemed too difficult to me but at the same time everyone was<br />
motivated to succeed and with zeal we really did it.<br />
Hard work: the effort that we put in made it possible and fantastically possible.<br />
The interactions we had with the internationals were really an experience and quite full of things to learn<br />
from each other. Long live <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong>!<br />
Rachel Herold: St Clement’s School<br />
This trip is an incredible and life-changing<br />
experience. From the moment I arrived in<br />
Nairobi to the time at the worksite, the rafting,<br />
the Starehe boys, the safari lodge and <strong>Kenya</strong><br />
completely stole my heart. I loved how easy it<br />
was to hang out with students from all over the<br />
world and I know now that I have friends and<br />
places to stay on every continent.<br />
The <strong>Kenya</strong> trip is unique because we work with<br />
15 Starehe boys from the Starehe Boys Centre<br />
and School in Nariobi. They made the trip loads of fun and were fascinating to get to know. The work was<br />
very rewarding as we saw the walls of a classroom rise from the ground.<br />
My absolute favourite part of this experience was the opportunities we had to get to know the children<br />
living in the community and attending the school that we were working on. Despite language and cultural<br />
barriers we made friends and learned about one another. These children, more than anything else, taught<br />
me to appreciate everything that I have and not to waste anything.<br />
The safari was an amazing experience to share with my new friends. Visiting the Maasai village was<br />
shocking and eye-opening and something I will never forget. I only hope I can bring the emotion it<br />
inspired in me back home so that I can take on new initiatives and do something to help the women of the<br />
village who may never have the opportunities I have had.<br />
Before I left home I was told I would fall in love with <strong>Kenya</strong> and I did. The welcoming people, the sparkling<br />
hope in the children’s eyes, the breath-taking landscapes and the majestic animals all make up the<br />
country I hope to return to one day. I am so thankful for the opportunity <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> has given me to
learn from <strong>Kenya</strong> and for the incredible friends I have made. I have found a home and family here and<br />
saying goodbye will be one of the most difficult things I could imagine. This is an experience I will<br />
remember fondly for the rest of my life and I hope to continue with international service work in the future.<br />
Thank you to <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong>, Starehe School and everyone on the project for giving me this experience of<br />
a life time.<br />
George Toyya: The Starehe Centre<br />
A fabulous moment in my life - the <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> has enabled me to have such a good experience that I<br />
have never had before. Everyone has been an amazing person to me and I have enjoyed each and every<br />
moment that I have spent with everyone. I have also learnt a great deal of lessons and these include:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It takes a lot of time to build a good reputation but a minute is good enough to demolish the work<br />
of years.<br />
If you decide to be patient be patient throughout, if you decide not to be then don’t, but it’s better<br />
to be anyway since it doesn’t hurt at all.<br />
Not all people will love you for the good that you do and the achievements that you make but<br />
most people will hate you for the wrong that you do.<br />
Do all you can, whenever you can and wherever you can for golden chances knock once at every<br />
man’s door.<br />
Thank you very much <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> for this opportunity that you have granted me. I will love it forever.<br />
Natasha Wells: St Cyprians School<br />
Describing the moment on the trip in words would be impossible. This trip has been life changing and<br />
every moment has been taken in and won’t be forgotten.<br />
The bonding we had before the project in Sagana for a day was great fun. Learning a bit about the<br />
students was interesting and the Starehe boys were interested in getting to know us internationals all very<br />
well. You could tell by the way they talked, that they were very proud of their school.
When we were in Sagana it was obvious what could be achieved when people work together and the<br />
team work was unbelievable. There was a sense of accomplishment on the last day when we finally<br />
finished on the “lintel bars”<br />
Playing sports with everyone was very funny and enjoyable to watch the boys in action. The cultural days<br />
when we visited the families were an eye opener. I loved playing with the children and learning one or two<br />
words in their own languages.<br />
The whole project has exceeded my expectations and was spectacular in every way. Spending Christmas<br />
without my family was something new and amazing. I can’t have imagined anything better than singing<br />
Christmas carols, playing cards, eating with hippo’s and opening crackers. This was my best ever<br />
December and I am so thankful to have been selected to be here. Thank you <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> for this<br />
opportunity.<br />
Edwin Karanja: The Starehe Centre<br />
This has been one of the bets experiences of my high school life in that it is amazing to see people come<br />
from many areas of the world to help society. Everyone has been putting a lot of effort in building a<br />
classroom for a school, which I find sweet and loving.<br />
Everyone has been amazing and meeting people from different places is wonderful and makes you want<br />
to travel and explore the world. This is my idea of everywhere...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
South Africa = weird!<br />
India = crowded<br />
Australia = a lot of fun<br />
Bermuda = nice beaches<br />
Canada = full of songs, noisy and cold<br />
Peru = silent<br />
Scotland = old and official
Dhananjay Singh: The Doon School<br />
The <strong>Kenya</strong>n Project <strong>2011</strong> – no words can explain it because it is a sum of emotions and different<br />
experiences that can only be felt and experienced by those who were there. In simple language, it was<br />
unique, wonderful and different but yet so simple as we were a family. We made different friends and<br />
some, like me, found new brothers and sisters.<br />
We used our muscles to mix motar,<br />
we used our brains to solve the<br />
small challenges that we faced<br />
during the trip and we even used<br />
our hearts to make friendships that<br />
will last forever. When we were in<br />
our rafts speeding and splashing<br />
through class 4rapids adrenaline<br />
rushed through our veins. When we<br />
were in our minibuses taking<br />
pictures of the king of the jungle our<br />
hearts pumped with excitement.<br />
And lastly, when we were<br />
representing our country during the<br />
cultural night we felt full of pride.<br />
So, overall I can say that this project was worth everything to me. All those who were here gained<br />
something. It was a success not only for the children who will sit in the classroom but it was a success for<br />
us all.<br />
I actually didn’t talk about family....don’t think I was homesick. How could I be homesick when I was with<br />
my family?<br />
Richard Gituku: The Starehe Centre<br />
Don’t know what to say since everything is so mind blowing..I wish the days did not move as easily as<br />
they did or I would get more days, but anyway everything must come to an end soon.<br />
Though this is my country I haven’t had the opportunity to do such a project that has been offered by<br />
<strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> and that makes me swell with joy since I know many kids are going to benefit from my zeal<br />
and passion for the build and hopefully come to Starehe as it cares for people with disadvantages.<br />
Getting to know the students from all over the world who gave up Christmas for <strong>Kenya</strong> touches me since<br />
good guys still exists in this world and to socialise with them and learn their culture and build strong<br />
friendships is wonderful.<br />
In my group members in Harambee, cooperation was steadfast in the building and games and it makes<br />
me proud to be a part of the group. The badges we got are a constant reminder of one another not only<br />
for my group but the other groups as well. I wish for many more <strong>Kenya</strong>n’s to benefit from the <strong>Round</strong><br />
<strong>Square</strong> project and Starehe to be taking part in the project. Long live <strong>RSIS</strong>!
Kamogelo Vilakazi: St Cyprians School<br />
Wow, I never thought a trip just a couple of hours<br />
north of my own country could change my life so<br />
much. Coming to <strong>Kenya</strong> I was expecting a totally<br />
different place but I found a place slightly different<br />
from home but yet so comforting and homely.<br />
I tried not to think too much about the people and our<br />
group dynamics before I left because I didn’t want to<br />
get disappointed but it turned out our group was<br />
perfect, if that even exists. We all slotted into where<br />
we belong and I really loved our team spirit. I learned the Swahili phrase for Harambee, which means we<br />
pull together and I watched it in action as we got together and created something truly amazing, brick by<br />
brick.<br />
I never expected a group of teenagers to just get together and learn so much about each other and form<br />
such strong and fierce friendships in such a short space of time. This trip has truly opened my eyes to the<br />
fact that the problems in Africa are the same and it shall take a large effort for us as a continent to change<br />
and we require more trips like this.<br />
I know that hard work pays off. I will miss each and every student that was on this trip. There have been<br />
memories made that I doubt I will ever forget and the people I met will always have a place in my heart. I<br />
plan to continue doing work like this throughout Africa. Trips like this are necessary for us youth to realize<br />
that we can change the world and to appreciate the things we have. I am grateful to my parents, my<br />
school and the teachers who made this possible. Asante <strong>RSIS</strong>, Liz Gray and everyone else who made<br />
this trip possible.<br />
Pascal Aringo: The Starehe Centre<br />
It’s been super so far, everyone having fun and working hard at Riandira School. We’ve done so much so<br />
far, from ground level all the way to the lintel. I credit this to the cooperation of the whole <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong><br />
team.<br />
I must admit I enjoyed the rafting so much. It was my first time rafting and I hope to get another chance<br />
later. I also loved my group, Harembee – during work at the school and also other group activities, much<br />
appreciation to the group members.
Rebecca West: Gordonstoun<br />
This has been an experience of a lifetime, however cheesy that sounds! I have spent the last 3 years<br />
listening to other people talking in chapel about how going on a project has changed their views on life<br />
but I never really believed it. The thing that made me decide to come on the <strong>Kenya</strong> project when I first<br />
heard about it was because of the constant media coverage <strong>Kenya</strong> was getting and the fund raisers that<br />
were going on at school. I wanted to see the problems for myself.<br />
This project has made me realise how privileged I am, not just to have an education but also food on the<br />
table, a loving family and friends and a nice home to live in. The thing I have learned most about on this<br />
trip is myself and how even if you are ill or dying from the heat, you have to carry on because the end<br />
result is worth the struggle. I am very grateful for this opportunity and to meet and spend time with such<br />
wonderful people.<br />
Joshua Korir: The Starehe Centre<br />
The <strong>RSIS</strong> at Sagana was really good, in fact good is not the perfect adjective that can summarise every<br />
activity that took place. I really enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world, playing together<br />
and most importantly, working together. My group was called “Harembee” which means “let’s pull<br />
together” and we really did.<br />
I must thank the <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> organisation for enabling underprivileged schools such as Starehe to<br />
participate in such a project. I wish to have another opportunity to participate in another project in the<br />
future as it is a way of giving back to the community.<br />
Alejandra Ibarra: Markham College<br />
Jambo! This was the first word I heard when I arrived. I met so many wonderful people that I really need<br />
to thank. I came to the project very enthusiastic but also very nervous about how people would judge me<br />
and how I was going to survive three weeks without my family.<br />
The truth was that as soon as I arrived at The Starehe Boys Centre I received so many smiles that I forgot<br />
I was nervous and started having a good time. As I was one of the first to arrive I was able to welcome<br />
everyone else from Scotland, India, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
We worked hard during the ten days of the project and still had time to have fun and build friendships.<br />
This project made me gain confidence and also made me realise that no many fights people may have<br />
they can always pull together for a common goal.<br />
I would definitely repeat this experience and would like to encourage everyone to take part in an <strong>RSIS</strong><br />
project as they won’t regret their experience.<br />
Cyril Obuja: The Starehe Centre<br />
It’s been one heck of a ride for me. 10 days with people you never expected to see with personalities that<br />
are amazing. This project has been “da bomb”. No doubt Simba has been the most vibrant group around,<br />
with people like Noah and yours truly, the team has been efficient in whatever they did! The adult leaders<br />
ensured it was just like a holiday and we felt like one big happy family.<br />
I really felt deep warmth inside when we went to visit the homes. It was like a blessing in itself, looking<br />
deep into the old ladies eyes. I saw a very happy woman; I don’t think words can express whatever<br />
emotions present at that moment. I feel so sad it has come to an end but I still want to keep in touch with<br />
everyone.<br />
Victoria Cant: Westminster School<br />
“The happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything<br />
they have.” The people on this trip have proved this quote to a T. People came from all over the world,<br />
from different backgrounds, families, religious beliefs and cultures, yet we all came for one reason: to<br />
make a difference. Through the process of building we have achieved the goal we came to achieve. We<br />
have also achieved many other things: made friends for life and seen things that some people only dream<br />
about.<br />
The cultural phase was a fantastic reward and fitted the <strong>Kenya</strong>n stereotypical movies like “The Lion King”<br />
Overall this was a trip of a lifetime, something that I will never forget. The memories made will stay with<br />
me forever, but memories aren’t made alone, what makes memories special is who they are made with.<br />
Mark Orina: The Starehe Centre<br />
“Looking into the future – make a difference forever”<br />
My experience in the project has no words to describe it, it is<br />
priceless and most of all forthcoming in every way. Building<br />
a classroom for the school which will last for a hundred<br />
years or so and I was a part of it!<br />
The people I have met and interacted with are amazing and<br />
honestly are the most diverse I have seen in my life. Just the<br />
thought of what most of them have sacrificed to be on this project leaves me in awe and reverence for<br />
how much young people like myself would do to make a difference. They remind me of J.F Kennedy who<br />
said, “Footprints on the sand are not made by sitting down”
Victoria Stuckey: Ivahoe Grammer<br />
This trip has been incredible in so many ways. Not only did I experience <strong>Kenya</strong>’s unique culture, I was<br />
able to learn from other team members about their own cultures. The cultural phase was the most<br />
significant to me personally. In addition to the safari being a jaw-dropping experience, visiting a manyatta<br />
was life-changing. No words can describe the way I felt when I saw the tiny, dark, crumbling and smelly<br />
huts that the Masai people call home. It was fascinating to understand their lifestyle and to realise that<br />
this experience represented hundreds of individuals who are deprived of health care, safe drinking water,<br />
sufficient food and who lacked basic human rights. The clear gender inequality shocked me as I did not<br />
realise before I left home that people still lived like this.<br />
The experiences I have had on this trip have been life-changing. I will go home with a refreshed and more<br />
realistic outlook on the world in which we live. This <strong>RSIS</strong> trip has given me a new energy to work towards<br />
making a difference in this world and heading to a brighter future.<br />
I recommend this trip to anyone and everyone who wants to better understand the reality of life for most<br />
of the developing world. It frightens me that most people will never experience what have seen on this trip<br />
because the lessons I have learnt are crucial for everyone on the planet to understand.<br />
Noah Kipkemboi: The Starehe Centre<br />
It’s amazing how fast we have finished the project. I have learnt a lot including no matter how much good<br />
you do this can all be bought to ruin by a foolish action. I thank all the staff and hope that they can think of<br />
me in better light in future years as I have learnt my lesson.<br />
God bless <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> and the project and Starehe’s good reputation, thanks to all.
Daniel Herrmann:<br />
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so..” Hamlet by Shakespeare<br />
Well, I definitely thought this project was good, in fact it was fantastic. One of the highlights of the project<br />
was meeting and getting to know the Starehe boys. Whether we were building a wall, mixing cement or<br />
simply playing a game of chess, they always had a smile on their face. Another highlight of the trip was<br />
the preparation of the goat feast. It was an eye-opening experience to ses the goat slaughtered before us<br />
and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to skin it myself.<br />
And then of course, there was the safari! It was amazing, everything from lions to elephants was just too<br />
cool, I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to see them. The Masai manyatta was another great<br />
part of the trip as I was fascinated to see another way of life so drastically different to my own.<br />
My fellow travellers really came to life for me on the safari. Whether we were discussing the education<br />
system, philosophy or corporal punishment, there was always an abundance of vigor and passion. This<br />
trip was truly a wonderful experience.<br />
So, in response to Hamlet; to me, this project was amazing.<br />
William Mbae: The Starehe Centre<br />
I consider this chance to participate in this project a once in a lifetime opportunity and that which calls us<br />
to explore our passionate faculties of humanity. <strong>RSIS</strong> provides each one of us with an opportunity to give<br />
back to a society which is greatly in need of our sacrifice.<br />
For starters I would like to thank each and every person who has availed themselves for this project. You<br />
have set yourselves apart from many who can only receive but will not give back to humanity. It is a<br />
beautiful sight to see students from all over the world united by one purpose. Living to fulfil one goal and<br />
all zealous about what they are doing. Amazingly, all are focussed and cannot wait to lay the last brick of<br />
the upcoming classroom, set a book at it’s right place in the school’s library or weed the bushy compound<br />
surrounding the visiting homes.<br />
I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> spirit is what the globe earnestly<br />
needs to transform its caverns of shame to sites of pride. I am proud to be taking part in this year’s<br />
international project and my heartfelt appreciation goes to all participants.<br />
May God bless you richly, I love you all.<br />
Nicole Lindbeck: Bunbury Cathedral School<br />
What can I say about dec 10 th – 28 th <strong>2011</strong>? The first thing I would say is that the monmths of planning,<br />
fundraising and organising definitely paid off. I hope I speak for everyone when I say that every minute of<br />
this trip has been an incredible learning experience and that we have all taken something from it.<br />
From arriving in <strong>Kenya</strong> and the “getting to know you” stage, to discussing poop journals with each other,<br />
to cultural night on the final night of the project, to white water rafting and safari-ing, everything was<br />
brilliant! I am so very glad I took the opportunity to come on this trip and explore an entirely different part
of the world with an entirely different culture. Coming on this trip once again reminded me not to take<br />
anything for granted and to appreciate and respect everyone. I have met some amazing people, both<br />
local and international and forged some friendships I hope to keep. I completely encourage anyone with<br />
the opportunity to get involved in <strong>Round</strong> <strong>Square</strong> because you won’t regret a second.<br />
Andy Griffith: Ivanhoe Grammar School, Plenty Campus<br />
After much anticipation I finally found myself on the <strong>Kenya</strong>n <strong>RSIS</strong> project. I will never forget meeting<br />
everyone, both the internationals and the Starehe boys after arriving a day late. We all got to know each<br />
other extremely quickly and within minutes of arrival we were playing soccer and singing songs, which<br />
made us good friends instantly. The Starehe boys were fascinating and insightful with their stories and<br />
information about <strong>Kenya</strong> and particularly their school and we all learnt a great deal from them.<br />
Once the project started in Sagana the true<br />
significance of the trip began to become clear.<br />
Everyone joined together in an efficient and hardworking<br />
team and I was amazed at what we<br />
managed to accomplish within a short space of<br />
time. I always felt extremely satisfied after a hard<br />
days’ work and enjoyed seeing the thankful looks<br />
on the local’s faces as we walked back to camp.<br />
<strong>Final</strong>ly, completing our work on the classroom<br />
was immensely satisfying and I will forever feel<br />
proud of our team’s efforts at the primary school.<br />
Saying goodbye to the Starehe boys was<br />
incredibly difficult and emotional and it was<br />
amazing to think how close we had come in only two weeks.<br />
The cultural phase of the trip that followed really exposed us to the true <strong>Kenya</strong>n culture and was<br />
fascinating and enjoyable. We had such fun on safari and spending Christmas together. The visit to the<br />
Maasai village was a huge shock and difficult to comprehend and will forever leave an impression on me.<br />
I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in <strong>Kenya</strong> on the <strong>RSIS</strong> project and I will always remember it for the<br />
rest of my life. I hope my new friendships continue to grow over the years.<br />
Mimi Deacon:<br />
The past three weeks have been incredible. I learned a great deal about myself, other cultures and <strong>Kenya</strong><br />
itself. The people I met on this trip are wonderful and I am so happy I chose to be a part of this<br />
experience. The combination of service work and a cultural phase was really fun. Many of the<br />
experiences I had on this trip could be considered once in a lifetime; visiting the manyatta, building a<br />
classroom and spending Christmas Day by a hippo-filled river. However, because I loved it so much,<br />
there is no way I can avoid coming back to <strong>Kenya</strong> later in life.<br />
Like I said, every part of the trip was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people or a<br />
better experience. At the end of this trip I can safely say that my eyes have been opened. So much of<br />
what I have seen and done will stay with me forever. I feel so lucky to have had this <strong>Kenya</strong>n experience<br />
with such a great organisation.
Brooke Griffin: Westminster School<br />
<strong>RSIS</strong> <strong>Kenya</strong> <strong>2011</strong>...words simply cannot describe the memories, experiences or inside jokes.. I’m sure<br />
every student, international and Starehe came on this project with great expectations and goals; I do<br />
believe they have been exceeded for all. I could never have imagined the bonds that were going to be<br />
formed or be so sure they won’t be broken.<br />
Hard work, exhausting and draining may well be fitting terms to suit our journey. Exhilarating, fulfilling and<br />
eye opening however, are the terms which over-ride the others.<br />
Chengo’s Fish Sauce Recipe!<br />
Onion<br />
Garlic<br />
Ginger<br />
Lemon juice<br />
Water<br />
Coriander<br />
1) Lightly fry onion, garlic and ginger.<br />
2) Add water and lemon juice.<br />
3) Sprinkle with chopped coriander and serve either<br />
on or beside fish.
Chengo’s Mandazi (sweet buns)<br />
White flour – 2 cups Eggs - 1<br />
Sugar – ½ cup<br />
Lemon rind<br />
Margarine – 2tbsp<br />
pinch of salt<br />
Milk or coconut milk – ½ cup<br />
Cardamom powder – 15g<br />
Yeast – 15g<br />
Cinnamon powder – 15g<br />
Bring all ingredients to room temperature before<br />
mixing them together. Mix all the ingredients together,<br />
adding more flour if necessary. The dough should be<br />
soft, but not sticky. Roll the dough on a lightly floured<br />
board until it is about 1/4 inch think. Cut into triangles<br />
and fry in hot oil. Fry until both sides are golden<br />
brown. Remove mandazi from oil and drain on paper<br />
towels or newspaper. Serve warm.