Kenya 2012 Updates

By
webAdmin
– July 15, 2012

Update: 10-08-12

18:30 Just a quick update to confirm that everyone’s safely back on the ground here in the UK. We will post an estimated arrival time back in Malton once we’re about half way home so it should be reasonably accurate.

UPDATE 22:30 New expected arrival in Malton is currently 23:59

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Update: 09-08-12

The final blog entry from Kenya! Our final day in camp saw us up bright and breezy (well up, at any rate) ready for our final few hours of project work. We completed an anti-bug greenhouse, continued work on the tree nursery pits and created a large compost heap. There was some excitement when a hand-sized spider reared its head but it was rapidly dispatched by a hungry chicken!

The final work session ended a little prematurely due to a tropical downpour. Good preparation, perhaps, for our imminent return to Yorkshire. The afternoon saw some of the group occupied with a massage, henna tattooing and a yoga session.

Tonight we have competitive games and quizzes planned before we depart for the airport at 12:30am to embark on a full 24hrs of travelling!

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Update: 06-08-12

Today the team continued their hard work on the tree nursery and even found time to enjoy a mud fight whilst working on building a mud hut which will hopefully be finished ready to hand over as a much needed new home for a very worthy village elder later in the week.

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Update: 05-08-12

Sunday saw the team back to our volunteering projects including lining the new grey water system with old car tyres and the tree nursery pits with sand filled plastic bottles ready for cementing.

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Update: 04-08-12

Saturday saw the team soaking up some sun on the picturesque Daini Beach on a well deserved rest and relaxation day. This was followed by a fantastic birthday meal at Nomads restaurant.

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Update: 02-08-12

We have now safely arrived at Muhaka Camp and are looking forward to a rest day on the beach tomorrow.

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Update: 02-08-12

While we were at Tsavo Camp we’ve been involved in a range of activities. Digging water trenches, taking pert in wildlife monitoring, building work at the local primary school, working in a plant nursery and even making elephant poo paper!

We’ve had a fantastic few days and are no looking forward to the next part of out journey!

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Update: 30-07-12

We have arrived at Tsavo Camp where we will be staying for the next six days. The mobile signal here is worst than ever so updates may be in short supply! We spent a day in the bush today, learning about animal tracks and their dung which was very interesting.

After splitting into our work groups we were challenged to build shelters with Mr Steel and Mrs McGlen’s team proving to be the victors. We were then taught how to make fire using elephant dung, hard and soft wood before finally learning how to shoot with a bow and arrow. A fantastic day was had by all.

The main issues faced in this area are:

  • Poverty
  • Frequent droughts – lack of water for wildlife and people
  • Habitat destruction
  • Wildlife poaching
  • Human wildlife conflict
  • Lack of access to resources for people

We will be working on projects that impact one one or more of these issues over the coming days.

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Update: 28-07-12

Our last day at Camp Imani saw us complete two projects. The fencing posts around the camp vegetable field are all in place, firmly concreted to withstand the fierce nightly gales that blow in across the plains. In addition, the zai pits are all now dug ready for trees to be planted in October when the rains come.

The women of Camp Imani thanked us for our work with songs and dancing. Tomorrow sees us up at 05:15 ready to go on safari through the Tsavo National Park. [There are rumours that the next camp may have working toilets and a shower!]

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Update: 27-07-12

Today’s community project saw the whole team transporting over 300 african house bricks half a mile by hand (a new Imani record). Work will start tomorrow on the site where we delivered the bricks building a much needed home for one of the women’s group members, her son and two grand children.

After lunch the team continued work at the primary school building project forming an impressive cement production line and eventually earning everyone some chill out time that we spent entertaining the school children with football skills and even a few rounds of the Hokey Cokey. Everyone is putting in 100% and were rewarded with a meal of sausage and mash. [I didn't have the heart to ask them what meat was in the sausages just in case they hadn't thought about it!!!]

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Update: 26-07-12

This morning we continued with our fencing at Imani farm and zai pit digging. Everyone has worked really well. After lunch we also got to tour the local community and were shown a range of previous projects that Camps International had been involved in. We were then able to visit a local primary school and got to spend time with the pupils which was a real highlight of the trip so far.

Some of the team then enjoyed a very competitive football match against the locals where we were victorious winning 4-1! Another great day.

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Update: 25-07-12

After working yesterday, we had an inspiring talk from Mama Mercy about the Imani Women’s Group. She told us about the work they do helping the local community in the fight against HIV and Aids as well as providing work and a future for the community. This puts all of our hard work today building fences and digging pits for trees to be planted into context.

Everyone is well, though tired after our first hard days work. The weather in the previous forest camp was cold but here it is hot and windy.

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Update: 24-07-12

Camp Imani (Imani is the Swahili word for Faith) located in Itinyi village, Maungu within the Voi district of Kenya. Camp Tsavo will be the next port of call.

The women’s community ethos here at Imani is clearly passed onto all of its visitors to the group and the teams are gaining an understanding of how the women are working to reduce poverty whilst breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes.

Everyone is working hard today digging Zai Pits…

‘These Zai Pits fulfil three functions: soil and water conservation and erosion control for encrusted soils. The advantages of Zai are that it :

  • captures rain and surface/ run-off water;
  • protects seeds and organic matter against being washed away;
  • concentrates nutrient and water availability at the beginning of the rainy season;
  • increases yields; and
  • Reactivates biological activities in the soil and eventually leads to an improvement in soil structure.
  • The manure applied to the pits contains seeds of trees or bushes. This helps the regeneration of the vegetation on fields treated with pits.
  • The application of the Zai technique can reportedly increase production by up to 500% if properly executed.’

Source (howtopedia)

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Update: 23-7-12

Everyone had a great day yesterday with a safari trip where we spotted and photographed all sorts of wildlife.

The real hard work starts today when after a 10 hour journey into one of the national parks, we will arrive at Camp Imani.

(Note: Comments on this page should now show the newest comments at the top of the list)

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Update: 20-7-12

Everyone made a magnificent achievement reaching 4500m (13,500ft).

A further 21 students battled the elements, altitude, snow, rain, hail, ice and sleep deprivation to reach the summit of Mount Kenya.

All students are justifiably proud of their achievements and are really buzzing as we prepare for the next stage of our trip.

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Update: 15-7-12

Final preparations are now underway for the Mount Kenya Trek. Everyone ‘s having a great time even though the facilities are basic as expected. Currently organising and packing only the essentials ready to begin trekking tomorrow. Updates will probably be rather scarce for the next few days.

No pictures for the moment as the connectivity is somewhat limited over in Kenya!

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Update: 13-7-12

Brief update to confirm that everyone has arrived in Kenya and they are on the way to their temporary acommodation ahead of the Mount Kenya Trek.