Saturday 28 July 2012
The Story So Far... Day 4 - Friday 27th July
We started off the day with a brilliant day with cereal, toast and such things. Typically, I woke up just in time for breakfast...barely. And then we were off to another suprise day for the Harambee Kids, to see both the elephant and giraffe sanctuarys. First off were the elephants, none of the kids had seen elephants before and as someone who had been to the sanctuary I was able to pay more attention to how the Harambee kids saw it. It was INCREDIBLE! The only 2 looks we saw were happiness and confusion and they loved it as did the rest of us, once we got past the barrier of explaining these were only baby elephants they were even more amazed and we had a great time watching the elephants roll about in the dirt and occasionally squirting water towards some rather squeamish explorers, we also got to meet a the blind rhino Maxwell up close which gained a great response.
A quick carpark side lunch and a little bit of shopping (mostly in KFC for some of us), and we headed off to event 2 of the day, the giraffes.... The kids sat through a presentation from the staff and were incredibly silent for a group of 30ish kids, and then it was time to feed the giraffes, not satisfied with feeding by hand some of us decided to follow the lead of the instructors and feed them from holding the pellets between our lips, certain people (Our esteemed District Comissioner Tom Nixon)
seemed to enjoy this more than others but it provided great entertainment for us and the Harambee kids. We ended the day with a meal provided by the staff at the campsite and some brilliant singing and dancing by the Harambee kids to say thank you to us. A truly moving day enjoyed by everyone and another wonderful reminder of how great and important the work that Harambee are doing along with any groups that go over.
Further highlights included some very brave monkeys/foolish humans, a brilliant meal time tv program that was based in a courthouse (great hand motions going on), and elephants making their moves on some of us humans (particuarly Michael)... Almost the end of camp at Rowallen and the best way to sum it up is, its like camping in England...but with added monkeys.
Written by David Heathcote
Scout Network Member
A quick carpark side lunch and a little bit of shopping (mostly in KFC for some of us), and we headed off to event 2 of the day, the giraffes.... The kids sat through a presentation from the staff and were incredibly silent for a group of 30ish kids, and then it was time to feed the giraffes, not satisfied with feeding by hand some of us decided to follow the lead of the instructors and feed them from holding the pellets between our lips, certain people (Our esteemed District Comissioner Tom Nixon)
Further highlights included some very brave monkeys/foolish humans, a brilliant meal time tv program that was based in a courthouse (great hand motions going on), and elephants making their moves on some of us humans (particuarly Michael)... Almost the end of camp at Rowallen and the best way to sum it up is, its like camping in England...but with added monkeys.
Written by David Heathcote
Scout Network Member
Friday 27 July 2012
The Story So Far... - Day 3 - Thursday 26th July
We got up and some of us had very cold showers. We split the street kids into teams and gave them different coloured tshirts to give them a team identity - we have Simbaz, Chui, Dubu Tibu and Ngoma Boogaloo. The first big contact was doing the human knot, with them being very comfortable with us being jam packed together. We wrote names on their t-shirts so it was like putting a face to a name and starting to build a relationship with them.
We did an Olympic games, starting with an olympic torch relay where each team could show off their different things. When we did races, there was a competitive element but collectively everyone enjoyed it together. Team Simbaz won quite a few of the races, but not a run away victory. When you took a look around, there wasn't a face without a smile.
Lunch was so funny when Garry lost his banana to a monkey. We are sharing the field with lots of monkeys, so we have to shut tent doors and have the monkey stick/chaser ready.
Bingo was funny, especially when they didn't quite understand when to shout Bingo!, so they did it whenever they got a number. They all seemed to really enjoy it and it was good to teach them a different. There was a bit of banter between Denise and Tom, and all the street kids got really involved with it.
We played Olympic football in the afternoon, where most of the Simbaz enjoyed watching from the sidelines as the Kenyans were much too good for us. We were cheering them on and when one of them, Brian, saved a goal he a huge smile on his face.
It was good to watch those who haven't been before getting involved in the songs and the skipping because that was me three years ago. Again, playing some of the games was a learning curve for me with different rules and ways of playing.
Written by Sarah Burtt
Simbaz Team Leader
We did an Olympic games, starting with an olympic torch relay where each team could show off their different things. When we did races, there was a competitive element but collectively everyone enjoyed it together. Team Simbaz won quite a few of the races, but not a run away victory. When you took a look around, there wasn't a face without a smile.
Lunch was so funny when Garry lost his banana to a monkey. We are sharing the field with lots of monkeys, so we have to shut tent doors and have the monkey stick/chaser ready.
Bingo was funny, especially when they didn't quite understand when to shout Bingo!, so they did it whenever they got a number. They all seemed to really enjoy it and it was good to teach them a different. There was a bit of banter between Denise and Tom, and all the street kids got really involved with it.
We played Olympic football in the afternoon, where most of the Simbaz enjoyed watching from the sidelines as the Kenyans were much too good for us. We were cheering them on and when one of them, Brian, saved a goal he a huge smile on his face.
It was good to watch those who haven't been before getting involved in the songs and the skipping because that was me three years ago. Again, playing some of the games was a learning curve for me with different rules and ways of playing.
Written by Sarah Burtt
Simbaz Team Leader
Thursday 26 July 2012
The Story So Far... - Days 1 and 2
Having left the "Mummies and Daddies," we made our way to the Lewisham Civic Suite in Catford. We enjoyed a nice reception and then continued our journey to Heathrow. Two flights later, not much sleep and having made a friend in Abu Dhabi, we had arrived in Kenya.
We were met by Jimmy at the airport, loaded up the buses and headed for Rowallen. Worried that the kids might be here before us, we made camp quickly. Some people went to get more equipment and food, some stayed behind to make a fire and get to know some of the street kids. In typical Kenyan time the group eventually returned with food.
After eating, we carried on with setting up tents. We were so knackered that by the time we'd finished the tents, we collapsed into them!
Written by Elizabeth Foster
Scout Network Member
Look out for The Story So Far... tomorrow!
We were met by Jimmy at the airport, loaded up the buses and headed for Rowallen. Worried that the kids might be here before us, we made camp quickly. Some people went to get more equipment and food, some stayed behind to make a fire and get to know some of the street kids. In typical Kenyan time the group eventually returned with food.
After eating, we carried on with setting up tents. We were so knackered that by the time we'd finished the tents, we collapsed into them!
Written by Elizabeth Foster
Scout Network Member
Look out for The Story So Far... tomorrow!
Message for the team sent on Sunday 22nd July
On behalf of Harambee for Kenya, trustees both in the UK and in Kenya, we'd like to thank Lewisham District and their supporters for everything they've done to raise the money to help our children. Lesley is really looking forward to the trip with the team and we hope they all have a wonderful time, as we''re sure they will.
Lesley and Roger Dann
Founders of Harambee for Kenya
Lesley and Roger Dann
Founders of Harambee for Kenya
Tuesday 24 July 2012
Monday 23 July 2012
Just over 24 hours to go now and we're off on another Lewisham Scouts adventure.
I wish everyone going on this superb trip the very best for which is bound to be full of excitement, fun and at times lots of emotion. Our work with the street kids at Rowallen National Scout Camp, Nakuru National Park and back at the Safe House in Kisii will be a highlight.
Click on this route link to follow our progress.
http://routebuilder.org/8iv
The basic Itinerary is.....
24th July - Depart from Civic Suite, Lewisham Town Hall
25th July to 28th July - Arrive Nairobi. Camp at Rowallen Scout Camp, Nairobi.Meet Street Kids
28th/29th July - To Lake Nakuru and Nakuru National Park staying at Lion Hill
29th July to 2nd August - Kisii. Staying at the Safe House
2nd/3rd August - To Lake Naivasha. Staying at Fisherman's Camp
3rd/4th August - To Nyeri and visit Baden's Powell's grave and Paxtu. Stay at hotel in Nyeri
4th/5th August - Surprise location - Shh!
5th/6th August - back to Karen, Nairobi. Staying at Wildebeest Camp
7th August depart Kenya
8th August Arrive back in London
Note: Paxtu is where Baden-Powell lived for the last few years of his life. We visit his home and the Scout museum where we will present a scarf to go alongside the one we left there in 2009.
Please send the team messages of support as we would really like to hear from you.
Garry Leach
Team Leader - Lewisham Scouts Kenya Expedition 2012
I wish everyone going on this superb trip the very best for which is bound to be full of excitement, fun and at times lots of emotion. Our work with the street kids at Rowallen National Scout Camp, Nakuru National Park and back at the Safe House in Kisii will be a highlight.
Click on this route link to follow our progress.
http://routebuilder.org/8iv
The basic Itinerary is.....
24th July - Depart from Civic Suite, Lewisham Town Hall
25th July to 28th July - Arrive Nairobi. Camp at Rowallen Scout Camp, Nairobi.Meet Street Kids
28th/29th July - To Lake Nakuru and Nakuru National Park staying at Lion Hill
29th July to 2nd August - Kisii. Staying at the Safe House
2nd/3rd August - To Lake Naivasha. Staying at Fisherman's Camp
3rd/4th August - To Nyeri and visit Baden's Powell's grave and Paxtu. Stay at hotel in Nyeri
4th/5th August - Surprise location - Shh!
5th/6th August - back to Karen, Nairobi. Staying at Wildebeest Camp
7th August depart Kenya
8th August Arrive back in London
Note: Paxtu is where Baden-Powell lived for the last few years of his life. We visit his home and the Scout museum where we will present a scarf to go alongside the one we left there in 2009.
Please send the team messages of support as we would really like to hear from you.
Garry Leach
Team Leader - Lewisham Scouts Kenya Expedition 2012
Sunday 22 July 2012
Thursday 19 July 2012
Sunday 1st July
The Kenya Team prepare to leave with the final whole team meeting before the expedition. We split into sub teams, played games and got to know each other. We finished off with photos of everyone together!
Sunday 15 July 2012
In 2009, a group of 24 adults and young people from Lewisham Scout District went to Kenya, in order to work with the charity Harambee for Kenya, working in their safe house for the street kids of Kisii, and also to up a scout group.
We have now been asked by Harambee for Kenya to return to organise a Scout camp for the street kids at Rowallan – the country’s National Scout Campsite; and to do some more work at the safe-house in Kisii.
This blog will follow our progress throughout our two-week expedition. Please don´t expect a post everyday, as electricity and internet connections are very temperamental, however we shall do our best to keep it updated with photos and news during our journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)