Hi! My name is Takise, I am a forth semester Global Business Management International Student from Jamaica. I along with seven other students and three Centennial College faculty members had the opportunity to spend two glorious weeks in Kenya. This was all made possible through Centennial’s Global Citizen Equity Learning Experience (GCELE). This experience has definitely reinforced in me the importance of being appreciative of the things I’ve taken for granted; like the well-furnished classrooms and numerous resources we enjoy at Centennial College.
Let me take you through a few of my favorite moments on what I consider to be my best travel experience. They didn’t lie when they said this was a learning experience. We learnt a lot! Including a bit of the local language, Swahili.
Here is a photo of travel buddies (I’m third from left), and Joyce our wonderful guide to the far right. This trip wouldn’t be the same without her. It almost felt like she knew EVERYTHING and was ready to answer all our questions.
Here we are wearing traditional Maasai attire with the women at the Twala Cultural Centre. This is the first all-female community. The community came into existence less than 20 years ago, because women wanted to be independent and generate income that would allow them to be good providers for their families. Initially they were underestimated and the men in their village thought they would never survive on their own (they proved them wrong). Today one of their income streams comes from supplying Lush Cosmetics with aloe which they grow.
This is Rosemarie, she’s the founder of the Maasai women’s group. There is too much to say about the courage of this woman and how much she has done for women in Kenya. Not just her community but the entire country. She is the reason they no longer practice female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. Very inspiring woman, her struggles to gain equality for women is proof that we can all do more to help the less fortunate.
Meet Sudan he’s the LAST male Northern White Rhino. He lives on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki, Kenya. I imagine it would be a sad existence if my entire species was about to become extinct. Rhinos are killed by poachers for their horns which is a very valuable, but illegal “commodity”. Learning about what’s happened to the Northern White Rhino’s has made me think twice about supporting companies that kill animals for purposes other than eating.
AND the children! The most memorable part of this experience. They were so warm and welcoming. Though they didn’t have enough desks and chair they were so eager to learn, and learn they did. All the classes we visited had really bright and energetic students with big dreams of what they wanted their future to look like. We spent our morning at the Irura Primary School making desks and chair for the students. I can speak for everyone who went on this trip when I say this was a very rewarding feeling. Knowing that you have helped in a tangible way and seeing the appreciation on their faces. They taught us games and we did the same. I enjoyed their company and getting to know them individually. I hope to see them again.
Don’t forget to share and check out my next blog about my experience in Kenya there is so much more to share.
Asante Sana! (Thank you).
– Takise
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