My Kenyan Experience By Daniel Street

It?s all too easy sometimes to sit and watch the harrowing and disturbing pictures that appear regularly on television screens around the world (if easy is the correct term). Apathy can creep up on the most discerning of us at times. Whilst documentaries and news reports can capture the destitution and deprivation that plagues Africa to a degree, until more of the world journeys to this beautiful continent, the true extent of the problems will not be revealed.

I suppose the first time you realise that you are in Kenya is when you step out from the flat onto the balcony. And there to stare back at you is Ruiru, its dusty streets winding through the busy town. After the initial surprise that greeted us, we seemed to acclimatise fairly quickly, and this was largely down to the friendly welcome that we received not only from those involved with Out of Afrika?s related work, but from anyone who we met.

Most of our time while we were with Out of Afrika was spent visiting the projects that the charity was involved with, and lending what little help we could offer. We were under no illusions that our brief visit could solve any of the problems that many of the people faced, but giving the children at the rehabilitation centre a football and playing with them, or helping to dig at the land outside Thika hopefully gave them a smile.

Every school that we visited was full of intelligent, keen and respectful pupils, who greeted us with beaming smiles. You could tell that they really, really wanted to be in school, and to learn as much as they could. We couldn?t leave each school until we had shaken every single hand. We also visited the rehabilitation centre several times during our stay and could not believe that with all these children had been through, a football could invite such excitement. They were the bravest people I have ever met and you cannot explain the courage it takes to deal with the difficulties that have, and may yet still face them.

One of the most poignant memories of the trip for me was visiting our sponsored child. We met him in his school and then walked to his home to meet his Grandparents, who he lives with. Seeing their home, and their way of life is an impression that I think will reside vividly with all of us for a long time to come. We were all humbled by their courage and feel privileged to have met them. We were then able to spend the day with our sponsored child, and I got to play football with him which was brilliant.

The more projects we visited, the clearer it became to see that the charity had laid and is now building on the foundations to make a real difference. The people in Kenya don?t want our money or sympathy, they?re proud just like us. What they deserve is a chance, and that?s what Out of Afrika can give them.

When it came to say goodbye to Ruiru, every one of us felt that we did not want to leave the town. To say that we were all pleased to have visited Kenya would not really be the correct term. Pleased to have had the opportunity to see Africa - not from a hotel room, or a tour bus that constrains you from experiencing the real country. But moreover we were moved, and we were humbled by the experience. There were lots of times that made us smile, but equally lots that really hit you hard.