So I returned from my IC trip two
days ago and I had a great time. The first day we learned about coconuts, how
to make a roof out of palm fronds and we walked around the village. It was
really interesting learning about the community in this village and how it
functions. They taught us that the people there really rely on coconuts, as
they have so many functions. Some of these functions include making oil, rice,
drinks, medicine, building materials and so on. I thought it was amazing to
find out how many things one tree can be used for!
On Tuesday we had the opportunity to
go diving off Wasini islands. I went with Rosa and this was a challenge as well as a new skill for me, since I went on the
fun dive. We saw a stingray, a moray eel, fish and coral. It wasn’t spectacular
but I’m glad I did it because I now have more experience with diving and I hope
to become certified before I move from Kenya. We also got to have lunch on the
island, which was incredible. We had fish, shrimp, crab and all sorts of seafood.
I love seafood so this lunch was delicious for me J
On Wednesday the whole day was
dedicated to service and we got a lot complete and despite my back killing me
the next day it was well worth it! We began by working for four hours on a tree
nursery. At this point we had to mix cement continuously and lay it for the
foundation of the nursery. We were able to engage with issues of global
importance, as trees are an essential part of this community and truly
help it function because of the many uses they provide. This was a tiring
process as we had to continue bringing sand from one location to the next with
wheelbarrows, mix the concrete powder with the sand, mix this mix with water in
the wheelbarrows, lay this concrete and then begin the process over again. We
took turns on each task and we also took a water break every 20 minutes, which
I think was a good way to do it because it gave you motivation while working,
as you had something to look forward to. In the next place we worked for 2
hours digging a foundation for a dispensary. This also allowed us to engage
with issues of global importance, as we worked to build a dispensary for a
community lacking the resources. Every time people in this community were
seriously injured they had to travel all the way to Diani on boda or a matatu,
which is not the best way to travel when injured. Our work allowed for the
foundation for a project that could really make people's lives easier and could
also potentially save their lives, as they will no longer have to travel so far
away to receive medical help.
On Thursday we got to spend the entire day at the beach.
While we were there we cleaned the beach up, picking up trash in one bag and
flip flops in another. We only spent 30 minutes doing this but I think it
really does make a difference if you get a lot of people out there cleaning up
the beach, you can cover a large expanse of sand in a short amount of time.
Then we learnt about a local project with recycled flip flops. A group of
people have taken it upon themselves to pick up flip flops from the beach and
make art from them. They told us a little about the project and then taught us
how to make items out of flip flops. I made a bracelet. I think this is an
incredibly important project that has so much potential to continue thriving.
It makes such a difference, as not only does it clean up Diani beaches but it
makes something beautiful out of items that were considered useless.
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