2017 Trip – 26 July

Ameer Ali

Hello guys! I’m back again to tell you all about my day. So, today I woke up early again but later than usual. We all got ready for a long 20 minutes walk which was fun because I had the chance to interact with more people on the way to Lessara where the group had a good time with the students, couple of the group split up 6 of them interviewed whilst the others went out handing pens/pencils out to them. Also, most of the group played “head shoulders knees and toes” “my name is Joe” and people got pictures. After al that we handed out gifts to the top 3 students in each sector. When we got back to Snake Park we visited the Mmessi museum to learn all about how the kill and live including the circumcision. After that some of the group went on a camel ride. Tonight we will be watching the goat ceremony and getting the eat the goat, also later on tonight we will be all staying in a mud hut all cramped.

Love you all and miss you! X

 

Daniel jones

Yesterday we went to Irkisongo where I paired up with a student and two people from the trip I didn’t find out much about her as she didn’t speak much we then went to a home for the disabled which was quite emotional seeing the state everyone was in after we went back and headed off to a nearby market where I didn’t get anything after we went to a market just next to our camp where I got a necklace. Today we left camp around the same time as the past days to set off to another school which was enjoyable after we came back we went to a museum about Maasai culture which was nice to see. Later on tonight the ritualistic killing of the goat will happen and then we will sleep in a mud hut which will be very cramped.

 

James Proud

Today we visited Lesiraa primary school which was great. We visited every classroom giving out pens and pencils then we sang nursery rhymes that had some funny animal noises in them which made the kids fairly confused. Afterwards, we gave prizes to the top three of every class. Later on, we visited the Maasai museum which was really interesting and we learned all about their culture and everyone’s role within the tribe.

Tonight we are watching a goat being ritualistically killed then eating it which should be good. Then we are staying in Bomas so I’m expecting little sleep but it’s an experience.

 

Ellie Coulton

Hello, today we went to Lesiraa primary school, it was amazing. We walked a long way to get there, it was and experience. Once there we handed out pens and pencils and gave them all handshakes, they were all very energetic. After we split into two groups and went into separate classrooms, we played with them and had lots of fun. Surprisingly, I took charge of a game and it was great. I feel as though I have really improved as a person. While we were walking back to the Snake Park we took a wrong turn and got a little lost. But as you know since I’m writing this we found our way back safely. When we got to the snake park we went into the Maasai museum which was great and very educational, I learnt a lot about the Maasai culture. Then after I went on a camel ride it was absolutely superb I will always remember it especially the shock of it suddenly standing up. I also met the goat we will be sacrificing tonight at the ritual. I feel a bit apprehensive about eating it though since it’s so cute. I’m defiantly watching it being killed since I don’t want to regret anything while I’m here, hopefully it will teach me something. So tonight we are also sleeping in a boma, I probably won’t get any sleep but I’m still looking forward to it.

See you later I miss you and love you lots xxx Ellie

 

Polly Dowdle

Yesterday when we went to the Maasai Market to look at stalls and cattle, someone actually offered to buy me off David in exchange for cows! I bought myself a Maasai blanket as tonight we are sleeping in a Maasai Boma. Today we went to Lesiraa primary school to give out pens and prizes to the children, and we sung songs with them. We walked there and it took about half an hour, but it was very hot on the way back so it took longer to return. We organized the sports day this afternoon and I am part of the group sorting out equipment, which wouldn’t be too bad if we weren’t going to get so little sleep tonight. Apparently the bomas are hard to sleep in so I won’t get that much sleep, although it will be an experience. Tonight we will watch the goat being killed and will eat it afterwards. We can choose whether to watch it or not and I think I will for the cultural experience.

 

Georgia Linton

Hi people!

Only a week to go and I’m home! What a experience this has been I’ve got so much from it and I’m taking a lot from this trip! I’m hoping you’re all ok.

Today has been a lovely day but very busy. We had a 7:30 start and we went to a school called Lesriaa which was a very good school. It was poor but the discipline and manners were amazing and the teacher was passionate about their jobs. We give them pens and pencils and give prizes for the best 3 students in each class in front of the whole school which was lovely and we got a song of them. Today is the day we sacrifice the goat which has been done but I couldn’t watch, it was sad because we were all stroking him before and he was called Stew lol. Also tonight were going to sleep in the boomas which will be interesting and I’m going to take my sleeping bag because tomorrow its sports day and I don’t want to be tired and moody. Things are getting easier to understand and realize that this is the way people live but some things still shock me. I am having a amazing time!

I love you all so much, G xxx

 

Erin Williams

Yesterday afternoon we visited the Maasai market near the snake park which was a very different experience to the Arusha market but it was still fascinating looking around at it all and seeing how busy it is there. We then visited the women’s market at the snake park and it was really nice looking around and the women there were very friendly and nice to talk to. This morning we visited another primary school which was the first school that the project helped here and I did the interviewing today. It was quite difficult to get the children to talk to us about there lives but that’s where Terry was really helpful. Hearing one of the lads stories in particular was quite hard as it’s never nice to hear about these things but later I talked to him and it was great to see him smile. I’ve really enjoyed speaking to all the kids as they are all so intelligent and some of them are really funny. They tried to teach us the numbers up to 10 in Swahili but a couple of days ago the kitchen staff here taught me so Terry was proud when I managed it aha. This afternoon we went around the Maasai museum with a Maasai guide which was extremely interesting to look at and hear about but it was still a lot to take in but we have to remember that it’s their culture – it’s still shocking to think about though

This morning I missed home, they keep us busy enough that I don’t get upset but I really want to see you all again – I guess I’ve forgotten how annoying you all are. All my love, Erin x

 

Sam Matthewman

Hi folks! It has been a good day so far. At breakfast we had pancakes with syrup which were amazing. I am loving breakfast here and seem to be eating so much. We walked to Lesiraa Primary School which was a good walk and I got to interview some students who may get sponsored to go to secondary school. Their stories were upsetting and emotional, but they all still wanted to try their best. Sports day is tomorrow so we have planned that this afternoon. This evening we are killing the goat in the ritualistic killing. I have seen the goat and I am going to watch the goat’s throat get slit. After, we are all going to sleep in the boma so that will be an experience. I don’t think we will sleep much, but it is the experience which matters.

I am really enjoying it here. I seem to have settled in whilst being at Snake Park and the group have become really close. I am getting along with everyone and we are all helping each other. I am missing my comfort zone, being around people and places I know, but I am really happy I have come and I love every minute. I am excited to what the rest of the trip will bring and I’m excited to get home and see how this trip has changed me personally. I hope you are all well,

Love Sam x

 

Anna Waddington

Hiya everyone at home! Today we had another early start because we were walking to Lesiraa School which is a mixed primary school. I think the walk was easier than the other day but it was still red hot even in the morning. The school was a lot different to Meserani Juu- it was a lot more organised and a lot less chaotic. Me, Olivia and Erin led the interviews of three students who could be selected to be sponsored. Each had heartbreaking stories so it’s going to be extremely hard to choose who gets sponsored. Then we were allowed to walk around the school and talk to the students. We stayed with standard 7. Their English books were amazing- they all had amazing aspirations to be doctors and teachers. Me, and Liv did heads, shoulders, knees and toes with a group of girls which they loved. Then we handed out prizes to the top three students from each standard. Again we walked back to the Snake Park where we had dinner- the crew make the best sandwiches! After dinner we went to the Maasai museum where we learnt about their houses and circumcision which was really interesting. Boys are circumcised to show they’ve become a man and it shows how brave they are because they get different sized feathers depending on whether they cried or not. On the other hand, female circumcision is so girls don’t enjoy sex which means they are less likely to be unfaithful to their husband. Next we had a meeting about tomorrow where we would be doing a huge sports day for four schools which should be interesting. Then, believe it or not, I went on a camel! Yep me and Liv were riding a camel and it was really cool, though I thought we were going to die when it stood up. Tonight is our goat barbecue and I’ve just met him. Then we are staying in a Boma which should be a laugh!

I’m missing you all loads but I can’t believe we’ve only got a week left! Love you all, especially you Lukey.

 

Olivia Sharrocks

Hi all back home missing you all so much. Today we went to another primary school called lesiraa school and in there I interviewed a child so that they could have a chance of going to secondary school. Then after that we asked some of the children to teach a few of us 1-10 in Swahili which was good as they taught us something. Then we asked them could they count in English and they could count up to 30 which was really good. After we walked back and went to the maasai museum which was really educating as we learnt about the circumcision of a man and a woman in the maasai community. We also went on a camel ride which was a good experience. Now we are getting ready to kill the goat and then sleep in a maasai boma.

Hope you are all okay and I miss you all so much love you so much not long till im home now.

Love liv xx

 

Rebecca Henderson

Hey everyone, yesterday was an interesting day. In the morning we went to another all girl boarding school and I met a girl who was very lovely but we were told that she rarely smilled. Me and Anna were paired with her and she was so nice, she asled so many questions and was very interested in us. By the end of our time at the school we had managed to get her to smile and even laugh! On the way back we went to

 

Abigail Pentney

Hi

Today has been action packed! This morning we went to lesiraa primary school which is where the Meserani project started. We had the best time interacting with the kids because we know how to get them involved now. We sang heads, shoulders, knees and toes for them and got them to join in. Most of the kids were in ripped clothes and were a bit scruffy but they were so happy to sew us and get a pencil or pen. The yoyos Andy got from huntsman have gone down a treat! After we had lunch we went through the maasai museum here at snake park which was really informative about the culture and their lives.

Peter and I were saying how we need to come back on an adult trip so you can experience here! You’d love it and he did say the medical care is world class!

I have literally just watched the goat killing before our BBQ tonight; I was surprised how quick and humane it was. I’m looking forward to tasting the meat later on after all of the traditional maasai rituals. Tonight we are staying in a banda which should be interesting but I am definitely taking my sleeping bag again. Tomorrow is the sports day so we have done some preparation today. Hopefully tonight is bearable and I’m not too tired. Love you all lots,

Abi xxx