Our time at the MCC is now almost over, and so we’re reporting on our last two months in Kenya. We’re saying goodbye with mixed emotions; it was an incredibly beautiful experience that we’re happy about, but also a little sad that it’s already over. We can truly say that over the past three months, we’ve become part of the MCC family and are very grateful to all staff members and children for the many wonderful experiences.
Over time, our tasks in the various areas of the MCC became routine, and we always enjoyed helping out on the farm, in the kitchen, and with the animals. With the start of the rainy season in mid-February, not only did the landscape turn green, but the work on the farm also became significantly easier. We also had the joy of celebrating the arrival of three little baby goats, as well as numerous new rabbits and chicks.
Our first project of the weekend was a baking session with the children. This time, with the help of Paul J.’s mother – who supported us with her recipe – we baked banana chocolate muffins.
We gathered with all the children in the high school bakery and mixed the batter in a large bowl. The hardest part was reining in the children’s eagerness, as everyone naturally wanted to contribute to stirring the dough. Once all the ingredients were mixed, we filled the muffin molds with a bit more order and the baker’s assistance, then baked them. The result was over eighty muffins and full bellies.
Next on the agenda was a walk followed by a picnic. Together with our housemother Miriam, we set off and found a cozy spot under a tree by the river on the way to the primary school. The children had a lot of fun running up the river and splashing around in the water. Afterwards, there was a small snack with fruit and pastries before we leisurely made our way back.
Gradually, our biggest project also began to take shape: the completion of the basketball court. When we arrived, we found the planned court already as a finished concrete surface, but without the associated basketball hoops. Together with our social workers Mercy and Joseph, as well as Nicolas, the high school director, we discussed the details of the remaining steps and included them in our budget plan. During a visit to Nairobi, we looked at the hoops in a sports store and ordered them directly, along with the corresponding metal posts from a local metal construction company. With their help and the support of the students and children, everything was installed, and as soon as the concrete had cured, the first balls were already flying into the hoop.
Since then, everyone has been having a lot of fun on the new court, and several intense games have already been played. Even if the children and young people still need a little practice with technique and executing the rules, they don’t lack talent and motivation. As soon as the high school has put together a team, the first tournaments won’t be long in coming.
Drawing the lines had to wait until mid-March due to bad weather conditions. The high school students and MCC children were allowed to take action themselves, which they also greatly enjoyed. Everyone did a good job, and the result is impressive.
At the end of February, we cooked fries for all the high school students and MCC kids. We wouldn’t have managed it without the students, who willingly helped us with the entire operation. Nevertheless, we were busy washing, peeling, cutting, and frying from 11 AM until 8 PM. Thanks to the students’ perseverance and a good DJ, everyone was able to enjoy a plate of fries in the evening.
Then it was vacation week for the children. But vacation here doesn’t just mean free time; the children help a lot: in the kitchen, on the farm, and with the animals. For us, it was wonderful to experience these tasks together with the children. From fertilizing new fields to repairing rabbit cages, they were involved in everything, and the children are totally enthusiastic about helping out and learning. Nevertheless, there was also enough time for indoor and outdoor games, as well as the highly anticipated movie nights.
On Thursday, we organized a small sports olympiad at the MCC, to which our community-based kids were also invited. Groups were formed, and the children could compete against each other in various disciplines to collect points. The stations included sack race, can toss, penalty shootout, and egg-and-spoon race – with a wooden ball as an egg substitute. Everyone was enthusiastic and ambitious, and even some staff members wanted to try their hand at the different stations.
At the end, the award ceremony, where we distributed various sweets and apples as prizes to the teams, was not to be missed. For us, it was wonderful to have the children from the community participate and to help shape a day of their vacation.
Time flew by, and countless beautiful moments will remain in our memories. Above all, the soccer afternoons with housemother Miriam and, of course, the children connected us in a special way.
Towards the end, we had the pleasure of welcoming a former MCC child. Paul “Messi” visited with the Buruburu School of Fine Arts. The art academy is a college where Messi is currently completing his final year. The visit was intended as a cooperation between the art school and the MCC to inspire the children and show them, through Messi’s example, what they can achieve with discipline and hard work.
The students and teachers arrived in the morning. While some prepared lunch, others were given a tour of the grounds by Messi. At noon, everyone gathered for a festive meal, and some teachers and students gave short speeches. In the afternoon, there was music and dancing, as well as interaction between students and children.
It was truly a very successful day; the children had a lot of fun, and we believe some also gained valuable insights. Thanks to Messi and his college.
On our last weekend, we invited the children from the community to the MCC to spend a day together. Early in the morning, stick bread dough was prepared, and after tea, a campfire was lit together – fun for young and old.
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day relaxing together and said goodbye to all the children from the community.
On Sunday, we ended the weekend with a long walk. These walks were always very beautiful moments for us, as we had plenty of time to chat with the children, and they loved exploring the surroundings outside the MCC.
And so, incredibly, our time in Kenya comes to an end – just when it’s at its best. We truly had a wonderful time and can only recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic experience abroad and not just a vacation. Here, you have the chance to be part of a team and an organization that makes a difference for young people locally. During this time, we learned a lot for our lives and are taking new perspectives back to Germany.
Many thanks to “Hand in Hand für Kenia” for giving us the chance to be part of the MCC, and once again, many thanks to all companions in Kenya who shaped our time here.
We say goodbye,
Paul (Mutiso) Jansen
Paul (Wambua) Stöcker