Video slide show of my brief time here in South Africa :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Reflections from South Africa.
Sanibonani members of my life I love!
With limited internet access for the majority of the trip, my two weeks in Africa went rather undocumented. But I have to ask myself was this really a bad thing... as I find myself now having to think back and reflect on just where my mind was for the majority of the trip, and it makes me think...
My two weeks in South Africa, although rather short, were eye-opening, heart-lifting, and nothing short of amazing! After spending five weeks in Kenya, I wasn't sure how this trip would suffice, but it more than exceeded any expectations.
Two words: Beautiful People. It's crazy to think that you can go on a trip halfway across the world with 20 strangers, and in less than two weeks have such a bond that they feel like family. I learned so much about myself and the other members of my group through our own interactions and educational and at times embarrassing collisions with a culture much different than our own. Together we learned and grew, and experienced an opportunity that truly can be life changing. No matter how many volunteer trips I go on, no matter the location or the culture, each one is different and opens my eyes and my heart in a whole new way. I can honestly say, a piece of my heart lives in South Africa, as well as Canada, Australia , and all across the U.S.A.
The first week of our trip was spent at the Creche in the Dhukudhuku forest near St. Lucia with some of the most amazing children in the world! There were around 80 to 90 toddlers on most days, including 16 AIDS orphans, and they all stole my heart! Working with children is something that never gets old for me, as no two children are exactly the same. However they all share an enthusiastic curiosity, undying resilience, and a captivating smile and laughter, that when exposed to you can't help but want to give them the world. Just being around them I feel like I'm around the most intelligent group in the human race, they know it all and they don't even know it. And that's the way it should be.
The first week also consisted of many cultural emersion activities, such as Zulu language and dance lessons, trips to the beach, hikes on the game reserve, hippo and croc tours, night drives, bonfires, and nights out on the town! All of these activities were uniquely enlightening, and I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing them with my wonderful group members!
Hippo/Croc Tour.
Bonfires!
PASSION FRUIT!!
For our final week, we found ourselves at Thanda and Bonamanzi game reserves, where we literally came face to face with wild life. Through both game drives and hikes through the forests and mountains, we tracked wild dogs and the endangered black rhino, removed poaching snares, and adrenaline kickingly came face to face with elephants, lions, and other deadly members of the big five. As much as we seen Zebra and Giraffe, I can still say my heart jumps with each new one I see, as their exotic and graceful beauty is something that will never get old.
Cold Game Drives.
Looking for Lions!
Zebra (accurately pronounced "Zeh-bruh")
Giraffes by the sunset :)
Elephants (yes that's real!)
Spotting the Ellies!
Like out of a movie!
Camouflaging!
On the back of the game truck!
Tracking the Wild dogs!
Although many may think my purpose of this trip was to go here and change lives, whether it be the children or members of the culture, in truth I must admit the life that was changed is mine...and it will continue to be that way. All of the beautiful people I met on this trip will stay with me forever, and I only hope to run into them further down the road as we continue our travels.
Me, Laura, and Scott sat at the watering whole all day! When finally along came this guy... he was really digging the music! :
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept.
So I've been home for a good 36 hours now. The first 24 I spent sleeping in recovery mode, but I've still had quite a bit of time to reflect on the trip as a whole. The 16 hour plane ride alone gave a lot of time for this, although quite a bit of sleeping also took place... Overall, I just can't find words to suffice.. or an accurate measurement to somehow portray my love for Kenya, for Africa. The weeks I spent there were spent in awe at the beauty of the culture and the pride and joy the people carry themselves with.
I guess what had the most effect on me, which I'm sure all of my previous blog posts has made obvious, is the children! I feel I made such a bond with all the children whether it was the secondary students at BLISS, the primary students at Kithoka, the kids at the multiple orphanages we visited, or the street children by our host home. Talking and playing with them and just seeing their smiling faces everyday did so much for me. I learned so much about them and their lifestyle and even myself, and I can honestly see me perfectly happy in my future, just interacting with them on a day to day basis. All of the work that Dr. K did in her orphanage was such an inspiration, and I only hope that I can be half as strong and successful as she was. Despite her many setbacks and financial conflicts that she still deals with, she still has such a positive outlook and always puts the children first. She is such a beautiful human being and I can't wait till she ventures to Michigan so we can all have dinner together! (Just pray that she is able to get her visa this time!) Again something I am so grateful for...
Although my 4th of July was spent at the hotel in Nairobi saying our last goodbyes and then at the airport suffering through customs and eventually flying home... Mentally my mind was in a place of gratitude for all the rights I have as an American. I guess I've always been skeptical of the American government(like all governments), and I still believe that America has so much corruption and propaganda that it's difficult to have respect for the media and anyone involved with the corporate world. I can however, appreciate that I was born in a country where I have the freedom to obtain a visa and travel anywhere without any complications. I can be grateful that I was adopted into an American family in which I have a surplus of food, water, and shelter...not to mention the biggest one education, something that most children in Africa strive for and have to go without. I just feel so grateful for all that I am blessed with...
So even though leaving Africa was bittersweet, and in many ways I never wanted to leave, I was happy to come home to a country full of resources, an education that I know I take for granted, and family and friends of unconditional love. I am so grateful for my life the way that it is, and I know that because I was born in America and have the freedom that I do, that I will have the opportunity to go back to Africa (one more month!) and fall in love with the culture and the people over and over again!
Goodbyes are never easy...
Okay so it's been a good week since I've been able to update... since before safari! Man do I have so much to say. And sadly this is my last night in Kenya which makes this one of my last posts...
So safari was... AMAZING. Two words: punda. milia. (that's Swahili for zebra, of course!) Oh my gosh they were so beautiful! No words. We also seen a number of twiga (giraffe), tembo (elephant), and even some simba (you guys better know what that one means!) Along with a random assortment of wild animals that were equally exciting. However, zebra and giraffe were definitely my two favorites. My favorite moment: driving upon a mother and baby giraffe. The baby was literally a few hours old still learning to walk..and it just sat there staring. I swear we had a moment. It was beautiful. It was such a cool experience! And the place we stayed at was so beautiful. We were in tent like cabins and we could literally see and HEAR baboons and bush babies in the trees around us!
This is a python! No worries they're not poisonous!
We also got to hold the tortoises!
Corn rolls!
Saturday night our group went to Carnivore, a popular restaurant/night club in Nairobi famous for their game meat. Recently it has become illegal for them to sell meats such as zebra and giraffe due to poaching... however there was still a variety of "different" meats available to try. The restaurant style is that of a buffet in which they keep bringing you more and more types of meat until you surrender and put the Carnivore flag down. As many of you know I've been vegetarian for a few years now, so fortunately they had a vegetarian option! Nevertheless I was in Africa and when was I going to have the opportunity to eat meats like this again? So hey why not try it...? I ended up trying Alligator, Ostrich meat balls, and Ox balls! Can't say I'd try them again but hey NO REGRETS. All in all it was a lot of fun!
Trying Alligator with Catherine...
How they served the different types of meat...YUM!
The following day when our group went to The Great Rift Vally (a 2 hour drive!)..we stayed behind and went to the giraffe/elephant orphanage, as well as the walk-in Safari and the Massai Market! I got to kiss a giraffe which I must say was a pretty great kiss..in the words of Ixchel, "I kissed a gir-affe and I liked it!" It was really exciting! We also got to pet the baby elephants and watch them play football. The most exciting part was that Jacob, our driver, brought his three year old son and he hung out with us the whole day. He definitely made the day that much better! I couldn't think of a better way to spend our last two days than touring Nairobi with our own local brother! We had a blast, and now we get to spend our last day together as a group... can't believe our plane leaves in less than 12 hours. SURR. REAL.
Giraffe Kisses!
Baby Elephant at the orphanage playing soccer!
Matching face paint and Balloon hats!
Dancing with the Massai
Kenya has been like home to me! For as long as I've dreamed to go to Africa I have to say this trip has more than surpassed any expectations! I had the time of my life and fell in love with the culture, lifestyle, and especially the children of Kenya. Leaving wasn't easy but I look forward to the opportunity to come back and see the positive changes taking place in both Meru and Nairobi. I've learned so much and I've fell in love with Kenya, so there is not a chance that I wont do whatever it takes to come back one day soon. So this isn't goodbye.. it's see you later Africa... It's been real.
Much love, Natalie...or should I say Kwagiria (My Kimeru name meaning: one who makes others happy)
Friday, June 24, 2011
"Education is the man that will never leave you"
-Dr. Karambu
-Dr. Karambu
I open my eyes
Beauty surrounds me.
Yet with it, comes reality.
The truth of the poverty strikes hard.
Little hands reaching out.
Yellow eyes staring
They can see right through me
I tower over their thin, malnourished bodies
But what can I do?
I smile.
They smile back.
The chorus of poverty sings on
We left our host families yesterday (so sad because I had got so close to our Mama Karimi, host brother Kevin and we finally got to meet our sister Doreen) and it was bittersweet as we have so much to look forward to, but goodbyes are never easy. I learned so much from my African mother and siblings and it's humbling to know I will always be welcome if I ever have the chance to come back to Meru. Saying goodbye to our neighboring street children was really hard, as well. The thing I looked forward to most everyday was walking down the street to our home and having them run into our arms and walk us to our doors. I had so much fun playing with them and seeing how much joy they have despite how little they have. I could tell by their lack of uniforms that they don't have the opportunity to go to school and it's so sad to know that there are not many opportunities available for them to escape their poverty. Again I want to keep them all! It's just really hard to see their physical state and home lifestyle and have a positive outlook. I would seriously give up my education if I knew that it could be guaranteed as an outlet for them. They have so much potential but what are the chances that people will see it shine...
We also went to Ripple's baby orphanage. No. Words.
Working at a daycare back home, I realize there are so many safety and sanitation regulations, that aren't even considered at care centers here. The main consideration is that the children have food and shelter, things that are simply a given for us. I had so many mixed emotions being there, as the children were so adorable and friendly. As soon as I walked in the room (a room of around 25 babies with their cribs stacked up around the walls.) I was happily overwhelmed as we walked in the room and the babies crowded us reaching up their hands to be held and hugged. My heart was honestly melting. I wanted to take them all home. I just want them all to have the best lives possible and I know it doesn't seem realistic…but I wish I could adopt them all!
Some of the babies in the orphanage
Brenda the little girl on the right was such a sweetheart, I couldn't put her down the whole time!
We had tons of fun painting the wall mural at the IPI orphanage with some of the children and Dr. K. It came out really well and they really enjoyed it! I enjoyed it too! I love spending time with them. Just seeing them smile makes me so happy.
For now we're staying at the Bio Intensive Farm. All of us girls are staying in one big house and the boys are usually there, too. We've had some good times and with Mo's facilitating we had some effective IGR and i definitely feel like I have a better understanding of our group dynamics! I'm really excited for this last week with the group although it's gonna be a hard goodbye. Thank goodness we all go to the same school. Our little African friends on the other hand...not so easy. One little man imparticular is Mark or Munene (the king!) He's the most adorable little boy ever and I will never forget his smile and laugh. He was part of our family at bio intensive and such a bundle of joy. I'm seriously gonna miss him so much!
WE GO ON SAFARI TOMORROW!!!!!!!
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