For a duration of 21 days in the month of June, a team of students -15 from Strathmore University and 30 from Villanueva University Spain, joined hands on a quest to positively impact the lives of residents of Mulaani in Machakos County.

The team was involved in the following projects:

• Donating 10 laptops and providing training for teachers on ICT, with an aim of introducing computer classes to the school
• Building a classroom, with the aim of expanding the school providing more opportunities for children. The class was roofed and final touches are ongoing
• Training girls on sanitary towel usage and how to make their own if one cannot afford to buy
• Analysing teaching skills, with the objective of improving pedagogy
• Providing emotional classes for children and teenagers, on how to cope with various life challenges especially during the adolescence stage.

I can summarize the three weeks in many words; spectacular, amazing, awesome, beautiful, but I believe that no words can truly explain the experience gained and the bonds that were created.

It has always been my dream, since childhood, to visit Africa and explore its diversity; the music, dance, colors, people etc. Having the privilege to not only make my maiden trip to Africa through visiting Kenya, but also doing it with an objective of helping others, was an opportunity that I could not allow to pass me by. I must admit, that the 21 days spent in Kenya changed me as a person.

This experience has been one of the best I have lived to date. The lessons gained during the camp, from Strathmore students and the community at large, kindled a newness of perception and outlook towards life in me. I was totally fascinated by the depth of happiness expressed by the locals, regardless of how little I thought they have. They taught me the importance of being grateful and the value of being a helping hand to others, especially through love and time.

I traveled to Kenya thinking that I was going to help others, to make them happy, only to have the tables turned and I being the one who received the most help. The children I interacted with left a permanent mark in my heart, opening me to a new reality of love and happiness that was untouched. I can only thank God for the privileges of having this amazing experience. My wise counsel to anyone out there looking for a life changing experience would be; live for others and you will never be the same again.

Testimony by Spanish student; María Piédrola Fornés

Watch more from the outreach in the video below…