Family, we are one
Our second month at the MCC began in early June. After an eventful week on safari, where we not only admired the wildlife but also got to know Kenya’s land and people, we were very happy to see the children again and were warmly welcomed by them at the MCC. The following weeks were filled with many shared moments: We played ‘shop,’ danced together, jumped rope for afternoons, and spent countless hours with outdoor and circle games. Under the strict supervision of the children, we also improved at making chapati, playing marbles, and doing laundry. Another highlight was the regular hand-in-hand walks, which not only the children but also we loved.
Culinary Delights
To add some variety to Kenyan cuisine, we brought Bavarian cultural heritage to the MCC and baked pretzels, which were enthusiastically devoured with margarine. We also organized a Pasta Night, where 8kg of spaghetti and 10l of tomato sauce ended up on the plates. For snacks in between, the children had honey bread. Additionally, the children got to try and learn about various German gummy bears and sweets. So, while the children gained insights into European food worlds, we were able to gain further insights at Philip’s bakery. Having already become pros at baking buns and mandazi, we now learned how to make bajia and got to taste the coriander-marinated and fried potato slices.
World Cup
To bring a bit of World Cup vibe to the MCC, we crafted flags with the children, which decorated the entire house and got the children excited for our upcoming mini World Cup. We organized a World Cup for the MCC kids, kids from the community, and secondary school students. In teams, the children represented a country, which was displayed on the captains’ homemade armbands. One Saturday, the time finally came: South Africa, Argentina, France, and Germany competed against each other. The games were led by our fair and professional referee, Boniface. After exciting games, flying flip-flops, and cheering fans, we were finally able to crown Germany the winner after a thrilling final against France. After an award ceremony with medals, everyone received muffins and watermelons.
In the course of the World Cup, we bought new soccer balls, volleyballs, whistles, and ball pumps for both the MCC and the secondary school. The real World Cup was also diligently followed, and the children could hardly wait to enter the game results into our table every evening. Furthermore, we were able to watch Germany’s first game against Curaçao together with the children, with Germany receiving a lot of support from the kids.
Secondary School
We also organized a World Cup for the secondary school, where three boys’ teams and two girls’ teams competed: Portugal, Argentina, Germany, South Africa, and France. The World Cup lasted all day and ended with an exciting final between Form 3 and Form 4 classes, where Germany once again emerged victorious. In the girls’ division, France from Grade 10 won after a penalty shootout with impressive skills.
Like previous volunteers, we also organized a Movie Night with popcorn and candy. Despite ongoing technical difficulties, we watched the movie “The Upside” together to celebrate the completed exams before the Mid-Term Break.
Schools
In primary school, we were warmly welcomed by the learners every time we got off the school bus during our visits. We continued to gain many insights into school life by visiting various classes. From PP1 to Grade 3, we handed out a class set of donated colored pencils to each. We particularly enjoyed leading a Creative Arts lesson on Western Singing Games in the second grade. After several rounds of “Aramsamsam,” we taught the children the German clapping game “Chocolate” and concluded the lesson with an endless game of musical statues.
We also had the opportunity to gain insights into the Skills Center and see how students learn professions such as hairdresser, electrician, or plumber, as well as how they live and reside on site.
Projects
During the Mid-Term Break, we enjoyed the extra time with the children and also implemented some small projects. We continued the tradition of planting mango and avocado trees with the new children. Some of the first trees were nibbled by goats but were then replaced with new ones. The library also got a makeover. Since the beginning of our time here, we had been trying to reorganize the books and enter them into the system. Together with the children, we then cleaned the library, rearranged it, and created beautiful wall posters. Especially in the library, we always spent a wonderful time snuggled up with the children. Since it’s easy to lose track of time there, a clock now adorns the wall next to the children’s beautifully designed artworks. The children were also delighted with the clocks they requested for the girls’ and boys’ hostels.
A major project was visiting the supermarket in Nguluni. On two consecutive days, we marched with half of the group each time, accompanied by the Matron or Patron, for over an hour to Nguluni (and back!). Each child received 100 KES (= €0.68) and could shop independently. We were surprised how much the children could buy for the small amount, e.g., cookies, lollipops, juices, and yogurt. Enthusiastically, the children walked through the supermarket, equipped with baskets, and regularly asked excitedly how much more they could afford. Afterward, they diligently played ‘shop’ at the MCC, learned how to handle money, and even traded plastic bananas.
Together with the Kenyan volunteer Hellen, we conducted a workshop on Waste Management. The children were asked to name the different types of waste and sort them appropriately. Additionally, rules for waste handling and hygiene were developed together with the children.
Choir
One project that accompanied us from the beginning was the MCC Choir. After rehearsing in three small groups for Saturdays, we were finally able to bring the parts together, practice the appropriate movements, and rehearse the choir formation. The children diligently crafted concert invitations for the upcoming concert for the staff members. Then the time finally came: the staff members gathered in the Dining Hall, the children stood ready outside for the performance after our routine warm-up, the tension rose: after weeks of rehearsals, we could finally present our song “We are one.” After an initial storm of body percussion, the song slowly built up and ended in the jointly performed chorus. Not only we, but also the children beamed with pride. After the magnificent premiere, we were also able to present our jointly rehearsed song in church. This was a successful conclusion to a project that had brought us much joy throughout.
Time at the MCC flew by incredibly fast; we have taken all the children into our hearts and are very grateful for everything we were able to experience in the last nine weeks. Not only the big projects were a lot of fun, but above all, the many small moments with the children in between brought us endless joy. The children’s laughter, the scraping chairs in the early morning, the calls for us and the Volunteer Store, the bleating goats, the smell of freshly baked buns, the mountains of rice and ugali on the children’s plates, the huge watermelons, the birthday water fights, the daily question for the “solid tape,” the universal tables in the outdoor kitchen – all of this makes up the MCC family, and we are grateful to be a part of it: Family, we are one.
Asante sana,
Anna & Theresa
