2017 Trip – 25 July

Erin Williams

Sorry I didn’t manage to write a diary yesterday, it was just a really busy day. Yesterday morning we visited Meserani Juu which was a primary school which was lovely as I always seemed to have at least two people hanging off my arms at all times and we played games and counted with them which was really fun as they all seemed really cheerful, especially when we gave them gifts. In the afternoon of yesterday we went back to the Arusha market again and I bought more gifts for all of you. This time I was more confident with the bartering so it was fun and some of the sellers there were extremely fun to talk to so I find going to that market great – some of them remembered us from the last time we came. Me and Elodie got a few free gifts as well because we were students and they knew that we were poor which I thought was quite funny. Then today we visited another girls school, Irkisongo, unfortunately we didn’t get as much time to spend with those girls but I was paired with a girl named Dorah who was lovely. We didn’t talk much while she was doing the letter because she was easily smart enough to do it on her own but afterwards we had a good conversation about her and her family. She said she wants to be a professional doctor, which I think is amazing (she stressed that she wanted to be a professional one). We then visited the disabled people’s home which was amazing to see how well the children were looked after there as they all had huge smiles on their faces despite their situation but it was heavy and a lot to take in and I think quite a lot of us got a little upset about it and thinking about the kids that don’t get those kinds of facilities.

I really am missing everyone at home- even more than I’m missing a real bed – and I can’t wait to see you all again. All my love to everyone reading, Erin x

 

James Proud

Today we visited an all girls secondary school, Irkisongo, where I saw a puppy all by itself but I wasn’t allowed to touch it which was annoying. I got loads of pictures though. I also named him Jon-boy after The Waltons and because I’m Jim-boy. I really identified with that puppy.

We also visited a disabled people’s home which was very distressing and I can’t quite put it into words. I feel terrible for those who don’t get the help that the clinic provides because we only saw the lucky ones.

Later today we are going to two markets – a local and one not as local. I hope I get better prices than before.

 

Anna Waddington

Today has been a really hard day. First we went to Irkisongo Secondary school which is girls only. Me and Becca were paired up with a sponsored girl who was known for not smiling. We helped her read her letter and then we helped her to write her own back. I got her to smile because we both liked football- she liked that we had that in common. Once we started talking more, she really opened up; she was incredibly bright and probably had better English than me. It was hard to say goodbye to her, especially when she kept hugging us. We were not allowed to stay for long because there was a carry on with permits to get in, everyone is scared of losing their job at the moment so are doing things extremely by the book. On the way back, we stopped to visit a disabled person’s home and I’ve honestly never felt more emotional in my life. I really struggled to keep it together because it was such as incredible facility and the staff members were absolutely amazing. I couldn’t help myself from crying when I saw the kids who were so incredibly happy but then I met a kid exactly like Josh and I absolutely howled. Josh would have loved this place when he was growing up. The kids were so happy and the facility was incredible- they were all happy tears but I couldn’t help but think of the kids who weren’t getting this kind of treatment. Lisa was amazing! She had been crying as well and she took me aside and had a cuddle because at this point I was seriously ugly crying. We went down to a playground and I sat with a kid who was like Josh and he just liked me stroking his hand so obviously I started to cry again. Also, David has awesome bear hugs. Then the supervisor gave a speech to us and it was really beautiful- just thanking us for being there and it just shouldn’t be like that we should have been thanking her for the incredible service she provides. On the truck back, I was still crying but David was amazing! He gave me tissues and made me laugh and I was telling him that Josh would have loved the place; you know they couldn’t have been more understanding; they were really really nice to me. I don’t like crying in front of people but we’ve become such a tight nit group I wasn’t embarrassed. When we got back everyone was a bit down so we went for a drink. I stood around with a group and David and Lisa and we had a right laugh that cheered me up. Lisa was saying that her highlight had been bonding with me at the disabled home- which like completely made my day. After dinner we went to another market and it was really busy so it was quite intimidating especially as you had women surrounding you with bracelets. Then we went to a quiet market where I needed 7000 back in change and she tried to give me 2000! She was hilarious and probably a little crazy. Then we were allowed to chill for the rest of the night- I can’t believe its Tuesday already! I’ve decided for my first tattoo I’m going to do a tribute to Africa like Joe but I’m going to design it myself when I get back. Anyway, still missing you all, I’m feeling quite homesick now mainly for my bed lol but I do miss you guys! Do NOT delete Ripper Street! Love you all X

 

Elodie saha

The day before yesterday we went to Moita boys boarding school. After the painful one hour ride in the matatu (small van seating 20 people) and concussion we finally arrived. I was paired with Richard and Fredrick, such lovely boys they welcomed me and showed me around the facilities. Overall the schools standards were better than I expected, with Fredrick speaking very good English and their uniforms being smart. We later gave them their sponsor’s letter…it was emotional. With Fredrick receiving the loss of his sponsor’s father, this hurt to experience his attachment to this. Soon after we played games and the boys warmed up being extremely competitive running in all directions, with the ambition to win. I can firmly say I hate running! Lastly we both got photos of each other and I will remember them.

Yesterday, we went to Messerani Juu, with the school having a reputation of bad behavior. We walked 5 miles into the middle of nowhere, the children had apparently improved Peter said since he last visited. I believe they knew their limits yet some were too shy to approach. They soon warmed up at break doing the group hokey cokey, finding it funny that the mzungu ‘s were dancing. Later we interviewed the best position in class children all having similar backgrounds. They either cannot pay, have lost a parent or both in some cases and can’t grow crops due to draught. Such heartbreaking things no-one should go through.

Today we went to Irikisongo School, It was only a short visit yet we managed to interact with a sponsored child and write their letter. Sadly I have forgotten her name, but her smiling face will not be forgotten. She was so lovely and hugged me tight on arrival- the best hug, after she wouldn’t let go of my hand. Funnily enough she asked me if I had been to Moita and she knew Fredrick! On our return home we stopped off at a disabled home. Meeting the precious few who are fortunate to have treatment was overwhelming….you start to take into consideration of the people that aren’t there. This thought really upset me having had a strong connection to others. We ended the night at a market and got lots of uncomfortable stares, then at a cattle market which ended in Angie facing her fears of cows! The night then ended with a drink a the bar – water. Lots of love everyone elodie xxxxxxxx

 

Lauren Dalton

This morning, we went to Irikisongo Secondary Boarding school to visit the 10 sponsored pupils there. As there weren’t as many sponsored pupils as in the other schools, we weren’t there for too long, but the girl I was grouped with was so sweet and her beautiful smile warmed my heart. Afterwards, we had a flying visit to the disabled peoples’ home to deliver some equipment and it was quite harrowing to see, as the people there are ‘lucky’ to get treatment and support whilst so many others are cast aside. In the afternoon we whizzed round the Maasai market, but we were all warm and tired so we didn’t spend long there (I did succumb to some Pringles though- I’m missing my home comforts!).

I hope you’re all well and I’m missing everyone lots. Only 9 days until we come home mow- single digits! I can’t wait to give you all a big hug (and to see the boro signings) although I am loving it here.

Lots of love, Lauren xxx

 

Eeman Dad

Today we visited, Irikisongo Girls School. There I met a young girl named Dinna Petro, who was in form 1, yet was extremely intelligent. We helped her read her letters from Hartlepool College. Her smile shone brightly and she was so eager to write her return letter. Her English writing skills were amazing and she was so confident. My confidence level, after visiting numerous schools was strong and I felt confident enough to communicate with her, even though there was such a large language barrier. Upon leaving, she clung to Rachel and I, not wanting to go and continued showing her gratitude for our help. This was the most significant goodbye, as she genuinely expressed her thanks. After, we visited the disabled person’s home, which has got to be one of the hardest parts of the trip. We were given a tour and introduced to each individual. Many of us left there crying and the journey back to Snake Park was extremely silent as we all reflected on our trip. The afternoon consisted of two local markets which were extremely hectic and the burning heat made everything harder. So we arrived back from the market extremely early, meaning we had a lot of free time. This disorientated a lot of us, as we haven’t had this much free time in a long while. Many people went off to the bar, played darts, slept. Whereas, I was on the search for a job, to make myself useful. I ended up helping Jason make his infamous “Pineapple Crumble”, by crushing numerous digestive biscuits for approximately 45mins. Today, was a day of reflection and possibly one of the most difficult for everybody.

Love you lots, E xxx

 

Stephanie Julier

Today we didn’t wake up as early as usual, we woke at 7. We made our way onto the truck and drove to an all girls secondary school. It was different from the others as there weren’t as many sponsored girls so we paired up to take them, Erin and me had a girl called Dora. She’s incredibly intelligent and is in her last year, she has 2 sponsored brothers one is in university and one has just finished A-levels. Some of the girls stories was really shocking. After the school we drove to a disabled home to drop of crutches and blazers. We walked round and saw all the cases they were dealing with and some of them were really upsetting, and some of the stories made me really appreciate having the family I have. We then had lunch again it was a sandwich with multiple fillings which was delicious next were going to a market and I’m hopefully going to complete my shopping list! And then we have loads of free time which is lovely. I love going to see all the schools but sometimes I just need free time! I love and miss you all see you soon!!!

 

Polly Dowdle

Today we woke up at 7 and I ate 3 slices of toast and 8 small pieces of bacon for breakfast, which was very nice. We went to Irkisongo Girls secondary school where there are 10 girls we sponsor. Most of the girls there were older so their English was good enough for us to talk. Afterwards we went to the disabled home where people are treated for mainly orthopaedic problems such as club foot or deformed limbs. We gave them crutches and blazers to wear at the school, but it was sad to think these children were considered lucky despite the bad conditions.

 

Ellie Coulton

Today we went to another girls secondary school called irkisongo.at the school 10 girls were sponsored by the Meserani project. Me and Polly both were in charge of helping one of the girls read and write a letter to her sponsor. She was very nice and gave me lots of hugs- it was very comforting. Once we had done the letters we had to leave because we were heading to a home for the disabled. Once we where there the woman uin charge showed us all the disabled children. Most of the girl were crying, but I didn’t as I didn’t fell pity since they were getting help at the centre. After that we went back to the snake park and we had a lovely sandwich that I made myself. Now we are about to go to another market and hopefully I don’t get roped in to buy useless things.

Goodbye for now I miss you and I love you lots xx Ellie

 

Ameer Ali

Today, we got up early again so we can go and visit another girls secondary school called irkisongo which at this school 10 girls were sponsors and I got Stephanie’s girls Enioti. We got paired up to go through a letter what Peter wrote for her which means she needed to write a letter back. Afterwards we visited a disabled home where the kids got treatment, people where in tears as it was so emotional seeing the children feel so overwhelmed even though with their injuries. However towards the end we all gave them crutches or Blazers. Now we are back at Snake Park and getting ready for another market. Goodbye for now I’ll keep you updated love you guys x

 

Sam Matthewman

Jambo! I am really enjoying my time so far and it is making me appreciate my life so much more. We had a lovely breakfast this morning and I love the plum jam on my toast every morning. Today we were at another secondary school for a short visit. I was paired with Dora and she wrote a lovely letter to her sponsor about how hard she is working and how much she appreciates the support. After we had a visit to a disabled home this was an emotional visit. It made me appreciate what I have so much more and made me grateful. This afternoon we walked to the local market and I picked up another maasai blanket. We have some time to relax at camp now so I am going to see the different snake species on site. There is some crocodiles too so I will get some pictures. There is so much to do still and I am really enjoying this experience. Africa has been life-changing; even just us waving from the truck makes somebody’s day. I hope you are all doing well,

Lots of love, Sam x

 

Abigail Pentney

Hi!

Today we went to Irkisongo secondary school and it was really nice. We helped a first year write letter back to her sponsor which was hard work as her English wasn’t very good. Afterwards, we visited a disabled people’s home which was so amazing. The children had proper schools and were so happy. They sang for us and it was all funded by a German charity. We gave them crutches and blazers for some of the patients. After lunch we went to the local market and I got some flip flops made out of tyres! The people weren’t used to mzungus so they stared at us and I didn’t even have to barter. We walked through the cattle market at the snake park and then had some down time. It was great seeing the children in the disabled home and what was available to them. Hope you’re having a great time on holiday. Love you all lots,

Abi xxx

 

Georgia Linton

Hi everyone!

Today we went to a school called Irikisongo which was a girls school and it was a good school. All the girls were polite but we could only stay for 30 minutes because they’re strict and there are problems with losing jobs so everyone is worried and they’re protecting themselves. We helped them write a letter to their sponsor which was sweet.

We also went to a home for special needs and it was lovely but very emotional. We took a little girl but when we got there she didn’t want to get off the bus so we had to bring her back to snake park and she was taken back without us. But the home was full of gorgeous kids with all kinds of disabilities but they were gorgeous and so happy. The home is funded by a German charity but they rely on a lot of donations which was sad so we took the kids some blazers to wear and some crutches. A lot of people cried because they don’t have what we have for the kids in England with special needs in homes but they were happy and they had enough.

After lunch, again we went to the market which was interesting as we were stared at as it was a tourist market. I really enjoyed the day; it was a mix of emotions.

I do hope everyone is good and it’s a week tomorrow until I’m home which has flew! It has been amazing!

I love you all, G xxx

 

Olivia Sharrocks

Hi back home today we went to a all girls boarding school called irikisongo which was very different from the other one and we couldn’t stay there too long. I got paired off with a form one girl and she couldn’t speak any English at all so it was very hard for me to help her write her letter so terry the translator helped by asking her what she wanted to write then I would write it out in English. After that we went to a disabled home with people of all different ages there and that was lovely to see them being cared for and the smiles that they had on their faces would make anyone smile. This afternoon we went to a real Maasai market with all the colour fruit and veg laid out to see it looks and tastes so much better than home. The pineapple is my favourite as its soooo juicy.

Hope you are all well and won’t be long till your home from America and then won’t be long after and I’m home. Hope your okay at home to Connor love you all so much and miss you lots Liv xxx

 

Joe Readshaw

Today we went to another all girl’s boarding school, a much smaller one with only ten sponsored kids. I was partnered with Naini who was in Form 1 and could not speak English at all, it was quite difficult too communicate but thankfully Terry was able to translate what she was saying and I could write the letter for her, she even received a video message from her sponsors which was great to see and see her reply to. After we visited the school we visited a disabled home and school with a girl called Halima Who accompanied us, we saw all the kids and the facilities that they use to look after the kids, it was so good to see how hard the staff there are working to make these kids lives better even though they rely solely on sponsoring and donations. We then travelled back to the Snakepark, had a quick lunch which was a sandwich filled with everything available of course, then we headed to the market just across the road as well as the Maasai market inside the Snakepark, I didn’t buy anything though. Then we had a lot of free time to do what we wanted so I had a shower and played some Frisbee which was a nice break.

 

Rachel Smith

This morning we went to an all girl’s boarding school that only has 10 sponsored kids. Eeman and I were helping a girl called Dina write her letter back to her sponsor which is Hartlepool College and 3 different students had written a letter and sent a picture for her. Then we went to a disabled persons home that is funded by a German charity and donations. It’s an amazing place that does so much good. All the kids we met there were getting the help they needed in such a nice environment. We dropped off some crutches and blazers from the Project. When we got back we went to the local Maasai market which was mayhem haha. Now we’ve got a bit of free time so I’m just chilling and I have to admit I had a cheeky little nap earlier. I’m off to the shower now then tea. Hope boro is all fun and games. The time here is going too fast and I don’t want to leave but I’m excited to see you all. X

 

Isobel Mason-Nixon

Today we went to another girls boarding school where there were 10 sponsored pupils. We were all partnered with a pupil and the one I was with was amazing and her English was perfect. We sat with her and wrote a letter back to her sponsor she was so grateful for everything especially her education. She had a hard time as a child as her father wanted to marry her off so she ran away and hid at the clinic in the snake park and the nurse took her in until Peter came and was able to give her a sponsor to send her to school away from being married off. We also went to a disabled persons home all funded by a charity it was amazing what they do for them. We also supplied them with smart blazers and they loved them. Today I was devastated as I found out that I wouldn’t be able to meet Happy as she is getting extra education so she can re-sit secondary school so she can progress. However, I received a letter off her and am going to send one back with her bracelet while I am here. Breakfast was amazing today as we had bacon, egg and beans, sandwiches for dinner and pasta for tea. Tomorrow is the day I am dreading as it is the goat sacrifice and sleeping in a boma. I hope everyone is well and I am missing you all like crazy. Hope you are enjoying yourselves. I love you all so much and cannot wait to see you all when I come home.

Lots of love from,

Izzy xx

 

Joe Carter

Hi everyone!! Im so sorry I didn’t write last night, hope yous weren’t to annoyed I didn’t. I hope everyone is doing well and yous are all safe. I’m missing you lots and I cant wait to see you all and to tell you about everything that’s happened and I cant wait to show you all of the photographs of me and some of the most amazing children in the entire world. So I need to tell you about the last two days and im going to stat with yesterday. To start with I woke up at 6:30am to get a shower, after my shower I helped with the crew making the breakfast and my job was making the toast on a coal fire. After breakfast we walked to a primary school to give out pens or pencils to each student in the school and the smiles on their faces were priceless. Shortly after we all went out into the yard and had sing and dance with all the younger students which was the highlight of the day as everyone got involved and everyone had a great time although it was only like 15 minutes. We then walked back to the campsite to have our lunch then we had some chill time before heading back to the main market which was quiet exciting. I managed to get myself and others a little something at good prices. We went back to the campsite and got sorted for our dinner (tea) and we had Shepard’s pie and it was so nice. Ill now move on to talk about today. I woke up at 6:30 am again so I got my shower then went and done the toast again. I then helped serve the food to everyone as I was only eating my cereal.  We then got sorted and went to a all girls secondary school for half an hour as everything here is very strict. Me and Izzy were partnered with a second year A level student who spoke better English than me. After that we travelled down the road to visit the disabled home and that was one of the best parts of the entire trip, not only was it so amazing it was extremely emotional as everyone there is there for a reason. Me, Lisa, Izzy and David started skipping and having a little laugh with some of the younger children there. I made a new friendship with a little girl and ill show you the pictures when I get back. Im off to bed now so ill talk again tomorrow. Love and miss you all very much.

Joe xx