Looking down at the shore of Lake Victoria, stands a 2 year old secondary school called St. Josephine Bakhita. The girls’ school, currently with 219 Form 1-3 students, is abuzz and swamped with many smiling and radiant faces. The cause effect of the numerous facial light-ups is as a result of 18 purposeful days by group of young Kenyans and Germans.

 

The Dream

Under the ‘Schule statt Strasse’ (School instead of streets) programme, the young German team had set out to make their visit to Africa, Kenya, life changing. Led by Reinhard Backes and Ulrich Schuetz, the 11 energetic young men, had their hearts and minds set out on being agents of positive change. In partnership with Strathmore male COP members, an army of excellence and efficiency was championed with the task of making hearts in Nyalienga, smile.

 

Task at hand

Opting to take up the challenge to raise walls of a dining hall in 18 days, the team was eager to join up hands with their Kenyan counterparts, Strathmore university students, and actualize the dream of the young girls. Brick after brick, we witnessed the fruits of labor, as each day’s task, lead to a significant achievement of our purpose in Nyalienga. Under the guidance of expert artisans we managed to reach the lintel of the building, a fete that was heartily applauded by the area residents and the school board.

 

Fun and flair

A 45 minute boat ride on a small sized wooden boat, with a fit-in mortar served to be as a trip for a life time. Under the stewardship of our esteemed ‘sailor’ we set out into challenge the waves of Lake Victoria, with sole purpose of seeing the beautiful land of Mfangano. Hearts in our mouths, as each wave struck the sides of our ‘strong’ boat, the journey served as an opportune moment of laughter, shivers, silence and confessions. Beautiful without doubt, the experience is a must have for all adventure lovers.

 

Lesson

The team realized that each of us has a capacity to be a life changer. That in our own small capacities, each of us can contribute towards the world a better place.