Trip members enjoy a Kenyan potluck consisting of kuku paka, chapati, rice, and cake.
With just 4 days left until we depart for our trip to Kenya, trip members and families gathered to share some stories, hopes, and expectations of the trip to come. The group discussed their packing list, what to bring, what not to bring, and also shared a Kenyan meal together consisting of rice, chapati (a flat bread traditionally served in Kenya and other countries), kuku paka (a coconut based Kenyan chicken curry), and a zebra cake to complete the meal.
As with any trip, there were many questions discussed. What time are we meeting at the airport again? How do you say thank you in Swahili? Who is going to lead our dance routine (Kristen and Kieran!!)? What type of bag should I bring? What will our days be like in the village schools? Can I pet the monkeys…? All important questions.
Galen joined us midway through the meeting to share with the group the incredible story behind Moses Brown's connection with these particular schools in Kenya. The connection formed while Galen was at divinity school in Boston and has continued ever since with the help of Elizabeth Grumbach and the lower school. Despite a longstanding partnership, this will be the first time that a group of Moses Brown students has ever visited these schools in person. The trip is an important milestone in continuing the partnership that Moses Brown has with their quaker friends in Kenya.
At the end of the meeting, the parents joined the group to discuss final questions and concerns. On the way out the door, trip members divvied up the supplies that had been purchased and donated ahead of time to bring to donate to the schools in Chebuyusi and Sidikho. Each member is bringing a One World Futbol (an indestructible soccer ball), floor mats for the nursery classrooms, puzzles, children's books, crayons, solar-powered clocks, ropes, balls, etc. See photo below.
As with any trip, there were many questions discussed. What time are we meeting at the airport again? How do you say thank you in Swahili? Who is going to lead our dance routine (Kristen and Kieran!!)? What type of bag should I bring? What will our days be like in the village schools? Can I pet the monkeys…? All important questions.
Galen joined us midway through the meeting to share with the group the incredible story behind Moses Brown's connection with these particular schools in Kenya. The connection formed while Galen was at divinity school in Boston and has continued ever since with the help of Elizabeth Grumbach and the lower school. Despite a longstanding partnership, this will be the first time that a group of Moses Brown students has ever visited these schools in person. The trip is an important milestone in continuing the partnership that Moses Brown has with their quaker friends in Kenya.
At the end of the meeting, the parents joined the group to discuss final questions and concerns. On the way out the door, trip members divvied up the supplies that had been purchased and donated ahead of time to bring to donate to the schools in Chebuyusi and Sidikho. Each member is bringing a One World Futbol (an indestructible soccer ball), floor mats for the nursery classrooms, puzzles, children's books, crayons, solar-powered clocks, ropes, balls, etc. See photo below.
Trip members with their supplies to take to Kenya. Soccer balls, puzzles, books, solar powered clocks, crayons, ropes, clothes, etc.
Thank you to all those who donated to the cause!
Thank you to all those who donated to the cause!
The next time you hear from us we will be on our way to Kenya!! We will be leaving from Boston on Friday evening and arriving in Nairobi on Saturday evening. We hope that you will follow this blog throughout our trip so that you can share in our adventures!