The people I consider safe are my Mom, my Dad, and Royston - my family. I know that my safety and happiness is exteremly important to them. I cannot begin to express in words how thankful I am to them for the support they have given me throughout my life. If I could have dinner with two people dead or alive, they would be J.B Lobo (my mom's father), and Mary D'Souza (my dad's mother). Two incredible people who I did not get to spend much time with and whose wisdom and knowledge I'd like to witness for myself. Royston (my brother) is my go-to guy here on earth. Jesus is my hero.
[The above is an exercise I was asked to do before my trip to Kenya - I believe that questions similar to the ones above are important to think about when you decide to begin a journey of self-exploration. It's sort of a starting point. You look inside yourself and ask yourself "Who am I?". You look at the people closest to you and identify them. Ask yourself WHY you picked them? Think about the people you'd like to learn from. WHY them? Who is that person you ALWAYS turn to for help, or to share that funny story with, or to talk about an issue dear to your heart? Who is your hero? How do you define what constitutes a 'hero'? Everyone's going to have a different definition]
My goal is to go on another trip like the one to Kenya, every year - but to a different place each time.
I want to travel to India, East Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and more of Africa.
I want to work with children with special needs. The looks on their faces when they succeed at something is PRICELESS...however big or small their task is.
I want to expose my friends and family to my goals and the issues I care about.
I want to live more actively as a Christian. My trip to Kenya definately helps me start, but I want to bring it home with me everyday, and take it to work with me everyday.
I want to complain less, and work harder
I want to capture and remember every smile I made happen
I want to absorb as much of our planet's beauty and share it with others
Reflect upon who you are, who you want to be, commit yourself to something and have faith that you alone can make it happen. Nothing's better than saying, "I DID IT!"
Peace n' Love,
- Falon
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Final Words on the African Experience
This trip has taken me on a journey which has allowed me to tap into emotions on a new level. The joy and happiness I've experienced during my stay at Salabwek is a different, and more satisfying feeling than anything I've ever felt. I truly understand the power of a smile after receiving countless numbers of genuine smiles from the community.
My eyes that I have struggled to capture truth with in the past, have now seen true beauty in the African landscapes as well as in each child's face; true gratefulness in each welcome received from the community; true love shared between my group as visitors and each community member as we worked alongside in partnership toward the same goal.
I have been extremely humbled by my experience in Kenya, and I would encourage everyone to take risks like I did, to explore your world, experience it, and share it with others.
Peace n' Love,
- Falon
My eyes that I have struggled to capture truth with in the past, have now seen true beauty in the African landscapes as well as in each child's face; true gratefulness in each welcome received from the community; true love shared between my group as visitors and each community member as we worked alongside in partnership toward the same goal.
I have been extremely humbled by my experience in Kenya, and I would encourage everyone to take risks like I did, to explore your world, experience it, and share it with others.
Peace n' Love,
- Falon
A lil' bit of Africa - Part 3
Here the final part of my journal entries while in Kenya
June 2, 2007 (In Salabwek)
Sitting here on top of this small mountain we've hiked up to. The view is sensational. The breeze is so fresh & clean. It puts you in a whole different world of your own. I find myself falling in love with this country more each day. There is something special about being amidst God's natural gifts that are untouched and uncorrupted by humans, that gives me a sense of joy and hope that our world still has a chance at preserving its beauty.
A prayer seems so fitting right now. The silence is sometihng I am going to miss.
This opportunity to reflect on changes I want and need to make in my life is great. I can think so much more clearly. I want to take risks and speak about what I feel. I want the world to know that I love them, that I will make a difference, that I will leave it slightly if not a lot better after I leave it. I make this promise today, right here, to take it upon myself to be the change I want to see in the world.
June 3, 2007 (Maasai Mara)
Safari! Wake up was at 5am - NOT COOL! Missed my spot on the lorry and ended up in the jeep. I hate the jeep for the bumps, but we definately ended up having a better view of all the animals because we could drive up closer. We saw a lot of gazelles, impala, wilderbeest, 4 elephants, buffalo, 2 jackals, hippos. Our lion hunts were SO exciting and bumpy! We never found lions but it was really cool being so close - a rush! Bush pee-stops were hilarious - especially being worried that a lion was going to show up. One of the odd hi-lights was losing Raj (the travelling elephant) for 10 minutes. I definately wanted to breakdown and cry (was 2 seconds from doing so). Ming looked like she was going to cry too. We almost stopped the jeep in the middle of the savannah in Kenya to turn back around and look for Raj - a lil' marble elephant. AN IMPORTANT ELEPHANT! Raj was found by Alan in the jeep - PHEW!
So the last 2 hours of my 14 hour day in that jeep was the worst. A migraine hit and I checked out for that night. Worst feeling that whole trip. Everyone was so helpful, and caring...so loving.
June 4, 2007 (In Salabwek)
No migraine this morning! WOOHOO! Our very last build session was sweet! Pushed my last wheelbarrow in Africa (for now). Pouring out that sand onto that mound was... a feeling I can't put into words. Laying that last brick on that school... again, I can't find the words. It something deep inside me, it brings a smile to my face, even a tear. It is SUCH a hard task to walk away from that build site. Everyone clapped, we got our last picture taken as we walked away from the site with our shovels thrown over our shoulders.
Prepping for closing ceremonies went smoothly. I can't beleive we decided on singing "We Will Rock You".
Closing ceremonies was even MORE emotional that opening. The tears just never stopped with anyone. With so little that each family of Salabwek has, they invited EACH one of us individually BY NAME to dance with them and they presented us with a Maasai bracelet of our own. The generosity is incredible. I'll never forget these people. The school teachers also gave us a bracelet each. After our performance (which we ROCKED!), there were some really touching speeches. Pastor Wilson spoke about the children not being able to recover after we leave, and I was more worried about us having separation anxiety.
The Team N. America vs. Team Kenya football game started at 4pm. I played forward the whole game until I got smacked in the face with a goal kick that deflected off some Grade 8 Kenyan's foot! Knocked out... don't remember getting off the field...out of commission the rest of the day. Was woken up in the middle of the night in case of a concussion. Everything's cool!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the END of my Kenya journal entries!
June 2, 2007 (In Salabwek)
Sitting here on top of this small mountain we've hiked up to. The view is sensational. The breeze is so fresh & clean. It puts you in a whole different world of your own. I find myself falling in love with this country more each day. There is something special about being amidst God's natural gifts that are untouched and uncorrupted by humans, that gives me a sense of joy and hope that our world still has a chance at preserving its beauty.
A prayer seems so fitting right now. The silence is sometihng I am going to miss.
This opportunity to reflect on changes I want and need to make in my life is great. I can think so much more clearly. I want to take risks and speak about what I feel. I want the world to know that I love them, that I will make a difference, that I will leave it slightly if not a lot better after I leave it. I make this promise today, right here, to take it upon myself to be the change I want to see in the world.
June 3, 2007 (Maasai Mara)
Safari! Wake up was at 5am - NOT COOL! Missed my spot on the lorry and ended up in the jeep. I hate the jeep for the bumps, but we definately ended up having a better view of all the animals because we could drive up closer. We saw a lot of gazelles, impala, wilderbeest, 4 elephants, buffalo, 2 jackals, hippos. Our lion hunts were SO exciting and bumpy! We never found lions but it was really cool being so close - a rush! Bush pee-stops were hilarious - especially being worried that a lion was going to show up. One of the odd hi-lights was losing Raj (the travelling elephant) for 10 minutes. I definately wanted to breakdown and cry (was 2 seconds from doing so). Ming looked like she was going to cry too. We almost stopped the jeep in the middle of the savannah in Kenya to turn back around and look for Raj - a lil' marble elephant. AN IMPORTANT ELEPHANT! Raj was found by Alan in the jeep - PHEW!
So the last 2 hours of my 14 hour day in that jeep was the worst. A migraine hit and I checked out for that night. Worst feeling that whole trip. Everyone was so helpful, and caring...so loving.
June 4, 2007 (In Salabwek)
No migraine this morning! WOOHOO! Our very last build session was sweet! Pushed my last wheelbarrow in Africa (for now). Pouring out that sand onto that mound was... a feeling I can't put into words. Laying that last brick on that school... again, I can't find the words. It something deep inside me, it brings a smile to my face, even a tear. It is SUCH a hard task to walk away from that build site. Everyone clapped, we got our last picture taken as we walked away from the site with our shovels thrown over our shoulders.
Prepping for closing ceremonies went smoothly. I can't beleive we decided on singing "We Will Rock You".
Closing ceremonies was even MORE emotional that opening. The tears just never stopped with anyone. With so little that each family of Salabwek has, they invited EACH one of us individually BY NAME to dance with them and they presented us with a Maasai bracelet of our own. The generosity is incredible. I'll never forget these people. The school teachers also gave us a bracelet each. After our performance (which we ROCKED!), there were some really touching speeches. Pastor Wilson spoke about the children not being able to recover after we leave, and I was more worried about us having separation anxiety.
The Team N. America vs. Team Kenya football game started at 4pm. I played forward the whole game until I got smacked in the face with a goal kick that deflected off some Grade 8 Kenyan's foot! Knocked out... don't remember getting off the field...out of commission the rest of the day. Was woken up in the middle of the night in case of a concussion. Everything's cool!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the END of my Kenya journal entries!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A lil' bit of Africa - Part 2
Thanks for taking the interest in reading about my journey in Kenya. These are special memories... I'm happy to share.
May 21, 2007 (In Salabwek)
Our first day building on site. INCREDIBLE! So painful...so worth it! I never thought I could, or would do the things I did today. I shovelled sand, rocks, concrete; I pushed some HEAVY wheel barrows; I lifted 2 bags of cement on my back!!! Let's just say, I felt like a BEAST! LoL! The fwendis (workers) were super helpful and amazing at their work. They did everything with such ease.
After lunch, the day got even better! I've said before that the community is really warm and welcoming. Well today, was the opening ceremonies where we were greeted by 2000 people with singing, clapping, smiles, handshakes... I was brought to tears. The speeches were engaging. One speaker said, "I hope that you will learn from us and in turn, we can learn from you too". Seeing everyone so happy to greet us was almost like poverty's mask during this ceremony. You don't see poverty in their character, you see it in their washrooms, classrooms, physical body (their eyes, teeth, hair) and it's like poverty's mask is lifted all of a sudden and takes you back to why you're there.
The children's performances were sensational! One of the coolest things we got to do was get up and DANCE with the mamas! These are incredibly hardworking women, with so much wisdom. You see it in their eyes, and in their wrinkles. It's SO humbling.
As part of sharing our culture with the community, we prepared a performance which seemed disastrous compared to their singing and dancing. We sang "In the jungle"!
More interesing things happened later. It was time to leave and we got mobbed bu ALL the children. They grabbed our hands, wanted to touch us, smell us, say hello/Jambo, give us high-5's! We took it to the field and all 800-something kids were following and giggling, and asking us to team them songs. Each person from our group was attached to at LEAST 10 kids at one time! SO COOL! Sherwin and Charlotte spoke to a boy who said "It doesn't matter that my skin is black and your skin is white. When we cut our skin, we have the same blood." This coming from a young highschool boy! :)
OKAY! So something EVEN cooler that happened to me. The principal of the school invited me to run the 200m with the boys from that school. And if it wasn't for my ankle, I would have GLADLY accepted to eat some Kenyan dust! So, knowing me, I couldn't hold out too long and I, along with others from the group, ran a relay with the Kenyan boys and girls. I don't know why, but I found this particular experience COOL! I guess it brought back memories of track & field in Dubai. So my team was the only majority N.American team, with one Kenyan named Wesley, who started us off! I ran 2nd, Kevin ran 3rd, and Jenny ran anchor. AND... we didn't come last!!
May 24 (In Salabwek)
...Back at the camp, we got together and laid down in the grass in a circle facing the sky, and we all just took a moment to get lost. I really did... almost forgot where I was...the clouds were slow, and the mood was just slightly visible. I took the deepest breaths and loved it! The burning wood, tree smells, dirt...oddly refreshing! - Ended with a 30-person group hug. Sweet time spent together.
... A lil' homesick today :(
May 25 (In Salabwek)
...The facilitation team missed the wake up call this morning! WOOHOO! 15 extra minutes of sleep!
...The morning build session was wheelbarrowing rocks from pile to pile, and throwing them into the middle for the floor of the school. Easy!
...We did a bunch of activities: To-do lists, time suckers, negotiation, debate: "Kenyan students should do a trip to N. America". Cold showers followed, and then dinner. Theater games at night were SUPER fun!
... So today was pretty chill, but I did find out that what I priorotize at the top of my list (God) is what I spend the least time on, and my job which is at the end of my list, is what I spend the most time on in a day. Sad! But I'm glad I've realized it, and I hope I change things.
May 26 (In Salabwek)
...A LOT of people are sick today, and I feel a bit queasy myself. We checked out the Free the Children permanent center - pretty fancy! We ate lunch there and got a tour and headed off to Monica's for a talk. I felt bad I couldn't pay much attention to her or ask questions 'cause I felt so sick and dizzy in that classroom. Not to mention the mutant sized bee trying to escape through the skylight. I bought 3 bracelets and 2 necklaces from Monica's shop - "The Women's coop". Getting back to the lorry was dreadful. It was about 3 hours of nausea and bumps and swaying. There was lots of throwing up that followed, and then came GRAVOL! WOOHOO! Slept like a baby!
May 27 (In Salabwek)
...Woke up feeling great. Today's a chill day for chatting, recovering, roasting marshmellows, reading, playing, etc. All the sick people are missing/sleeping in. Apparantly last night was punctuated all over with barf sounds! EEW! The healthy tent (Steph, Jane, Lyndsay, Sara) are still going strong! Good for them! They were doing sit-ups while we were throwing up! LOL!
...Being sick makes me miss mom even more :(
... I reaching that point where I really want to talk to someone from home. It would probably bring me to tears but I just want to tell someone about my time here. I know I'll get that chance when I get back home, but... I don't KNOW! So homesick right now. Probably because we're not working today and I have so much free time.
May 28 (In Salabwek)
It's Kenya Day! We have to eat food that an average Kenyan would ear. This is HARD! Especially when you're still kind of sick. The porridge of corn mixture was hard to down in the morning, but I managed :) Lunch was really good - potatoes, lentils and corn. Dinner was hard again with the same corn mixture but in solid form (ugali) and cabbage. NOT the best day for my stomach. It's sad that I ended up being so picky though. I was a little disappointed in myself for complaining about the lack of familiar food. With all the poverty and hungry around me right now I just wish I kept that in mind more often.
...The people here get very little to eat, and the portions we're being served are quite generous for "Africa Day". Kids often wake up, have a cup of tea, walk long distances to school and get one cooked meal at school. For some kids, this is all they will eat in a day.
May 30 (In Salabwek)
...Today's 1st day of teaching my Grade 1 class made me miss work back home. The passion these kids have for learning is great!
...Reading The Alchemist is making me seriously regret not pursuing track & my Olympic dream! I do not want to say that it's impossible, but I would have to start small. I am definately going to train for a triathlon next spring/summer.
...I am SO happy "Phones" was a hit for tonight's facilitation game! Everyone LOVED IT!
May 31 (In Salabwek)
...Today has been indredibly emotional and I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that I have to leave these children. Teaching them today was 100X more fulfilling because it felt like we bonded so much in just 2 days. Bringing us corn from their homes was so generous, given that they have very little to eat themselves.
...They look out for eachother like family. They are so fascinated with the camera flashes! haha! They are so eager to learn our songs, to write answers on the board, to help me if I couldn't get Madame Ann's attention, to turn the book toward me so I could see better. It's incredible, the love they have for eachother, as well as their guests. Leaving them today was not easy.
...I met one girl from my class. Geradine who brought me to tears as I was saying goodbye. In the middle of all the maddness of kids screaming, running, and jumping, she made her way through the crowd, held both my hands and looked up at me. She is beautiful. There was something in her eyes that "Thank you" and without one word exchanged, I looked at her and told her through my eyes and squeezing her hands gently that I'll miss her. And she began to cry and hugged me, and we stood there in the middle of this field feeling that power communication, and... the power of love.
...Separating myself from them at the campsite was sad. I found myself feeling like I just was not doing enough for these kids. I know that their new school is something amazing for them, but it's just still so sad to know that there are so many more kids that need the same help, and more. And It's frustrating that so much some easily to me, and I take it for granted.
...I need to take more action. I need to inspire. I need to make this a bigger part of my life. The time is now... I can start within my soul.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END of Part 2
Come back for Part 3
May 21, 2007 (In Salabwek)
Our first day building on site. INCREDIBLE! So painful...so worth it! I never thought I could, or would do the things I did today. I shovelled sand, rocks, concrete; I pushed some HEAVY wheel barrows; I lifted 2 bags of cement on my back!!! Let's just say, I felt like a BEAST! LoL! The fwendis (workers) were super helpful and amazing at their work. They did everything with such ease.
After lunch, the day got even better! I've said before that the community is really warm and welcoming. Well today, was the opening ceremonies where we were greeted by 2000 people with singing, clapping, smiles, handshakes... I was brought to tears. The speeches were engaging. One speaker said, "I hope that you will learn from us and in turn, we can learn from you too". Seeing everyone so happy to greet us was almost like poverty's mask during this ceremony. You don't see poverty in their character, you see it in their washrooms, classrooms, physical body (their eyes, teeth, hair) and it's like poverty's mask is lifted all of a sudden and takes you back to why you're there.
The children's performances were sensational! One of the coolest things we got to do was get up and DANCE with the mamas! These are incredibly hardworking women, with so much wisdom. You see it in their eyes, and in their wrinkles. It's SO humbling.
As part of sharing our culture with the community, we prepared a performance which seemed disastrous compared to their singing and dancing. We sang "In the jungle"!
More interesing things happened later. It was time to leave and we got mobbed bu ALL the children. They grabbed our hands, wanted to touch us, smell us, say hello/Jambo, give us high-5's! We took it to the field and all 800-something kids were following and giggling, and asking us to team them songs. Each person from our group was attached to at LEAST 10 kids at one time! SO COOL! Sherwin and Charlotte spoke to a boy who said "It doesn't matter that my skin is black and your skin is white. When we cut our skin, we have the same blood." This coming from a young highschool boy! :)
OKAY! So something EVEN cooler that happened to me. The principal of the school invited me to run the 200m with the boys from that school. And if it wasn't for my ankle, I would have GLADLY accepted to eat some Kenyan dust! So, knowing me, I couldn't hold out too long and I, along with others from the group, ran a relay with the Kenyan boys and girls. I don't know why, but I found this particular experience COOL! I guess it brought back memories of track & field in Dubai. So my team was the only majority N.American team, with one Kenyan named Wesley, who started us off! I ran 2nd, Kevin ran 3rd, and Jenny ran anchor. AND... we didn't come last!!
May 24 (In Salabwek)
...Back at the camp, we got together and laid down in the grass in a circle facing the sky, and we all just took a moment to get lost. I really did... almost forgot where I was...the clouds were slow, and the mood was just slightly visible. I took the deepest breaths and loved it! The burning wood, tree smells, dirt...oddly refreshing! - Ended with a 30-person group hug. Sweet time spent together.
... A lil' homesick today :(
May 25 (In Salabwek)
...The facilitation team missed the wake up call this morning! WOOHOO! 15 extra minutes of sleep!
...The morning build session was wheelbarrowing rocks from pile to pile, and throwing them into the middle for the floor of the school. Easy!
...We did a bunch of activities: To-do lists, time suckers, negotiation, debate: "Kenyan students should do a trip to N. America". Cold showers followed, and then dinner. Theater games at night were SUPER fun!
... So today was pretty chill, but I did find out that what I priorotize at the top of my list (God) is what I spend the least time on, and my job which is at the end of my list, is what I spend the most time on in a day. Sad! But I'm glad I've realized it, and I hope I change things.
May 26 (In Salabwek)
...A LOT of people are sick today, and I feel a bit queasy myself. We checked out the Free the Children permanent center - pretty fancy! We ate lunch there and got a tour and headed off to Monica's for a talk. I felt bad I couldn't pay much attention to her or ask questions 'cause I felt so sick and dizzy in that classroom. Not to mention the mutant sized bee trying to escape through the skylight. I bought 3 bracelets and 2 necklaces from Monica's shop - "The Women's coop". Getting back to the lorry was dreadful. It was about 3 hours of nausea and bumps and swaying. There was lots of throwing up that followed, and then came GRAVOL! WOOHOO! Slept like a baby!
May 27 (In Salabwek)
...Woke up feeling great. Today's a chill day for chatting, recovering, roasting marshmellows, reading, playing, etc. All the sick people are missing/sleeping in. Apparantly last night was punctuated all over with barf sounds! EEW! The healthy tent (Steph, Jane, Lyndsay, Sara) are still going strong! Good for them! They were doing sit-ups while we were throwing up! LOL!
...Being sick makes me miss mom even more :(
... I reaching that point where I really want to talk to someone from home. It would probably bring me to tears but I just want to tell someone about my time here. I know I'll get that chance when I get back home, but... I don't KNOW! So homesick right now. Probably because we're not working today and I have so much free time.
May 28 (In Salabwek)
It's Kenya Day! We have to eat food that an average Kenyan would ear. This is HARD! Especially when you're still kind of sick. The porridge of corn mixture was hard to down in the morning, but I managed :) Lunch was really good - potatoes, lentils and corn. Dinner was hard again with the same corn mixture but in solid form (ugali) and cabbage. NOT the best day for my stomach. It's sad that I ended up being so picky though. I was a little disappointed in myself for complaining about the lack of familiar food. With all the poverty and hungry around me right now I just wish I kept that in mind more often.
...The people here get very little to eat, and the portions we're being served are quite generous for "Africa Day". Kids often wake up, have a cup of tea, walk long distances to school and get one cooked meal at school. For some kids, this is all they will eat in a day.
May 30 (In Salabwek)
...Today's 1st day of teaching my Grade 1 class made me miss work back home. The passion these kids have for learning is great!
...Reading The Alchemist is making me seriously regret not pursuing track & my Olympic dream! I do not want to say that it's impossible, but I would have to start small. I am definately going to train for a triathlon next spring/summer.
...I am SO happy "Phones" was a hit for tonight's facilitation game! Everyone LOVED IT!
May 31 (In Salabwek)
...Today has been indredibly emotional and I cannot bring myself to accept the fact that I have to leave these children. Teaching them today was 100X more fulfilling because it felt like we bonded so much in just 2 days. Bringing us corn from their homes was so generous, given that they have very little to eat themselves.
...They look out for eachother like family. They are so fascinated with the camera flashes! haha! They are so eager to learn our songs, to write answers on the board, to help me if I couldn't get Madame Ann's attention, to turn the book toward me so I could see better. It's incredible, the love they have for eachother, as well as their guests. Leaving them today was not easy.
...I met one girl from my class. Geradine who brought me to tears as I was saying goodbye. In the middle of all the maddness of kids screaming, running, and jumping, she made her way through the crowd, held both my hands and looked up at me. She is beautiful. There was something in her eyes that "Thank you" and without one word exchanged, I looked at her and told her through my eyes and squeezing her hands gently that I'll miss her. And she began to cry and hugged me, and we stood there in the middle of this field feeling that power communication, and... the power of love.
...Separating myself from them at the campsite was sad. I found myself feeling like I just was not doing enough for these kids. I know that their new school is something amazing for them, but it's just still so sad to know that there are so many more kids that need the same help, and more. And It's frustrating that so much some easily to me, and I take it for granted.
...I need to take more action. I need to inspire. I need to make this a bigger part of my life. The time is now... I can start within my soul.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END of Part 2
Come back for Part 3
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