"We have forgotten that with four simple things you can be happy"

Belén with her daughter Claudia, 16, and one of the girls from the project.

Seven years ago, Belén Conesa promised his nephew a solidarity trip. In 2017, the nephew turned 15 and Belén kept her promise. He traveled with him and his 16-year-old daughter to kenya girls rescue center. They learned together that "with very little you can be happy" and the experience united them even more.

Why did you decide to make a solidarity trip to Kenya? 

Because it was a promised gift to my nephew 7 years before. I had promised him that we were going to take a solidarity trip together. I looked through the different options, and the Solidarity trip to Kenya by Tumaini I found it especially appealing to go with two teenagers. I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter Claudia and my 15-year-old nephew Carlos.

Is it true that sharing a solidarity trip unites?

I think that unite more, if you are already united. Yes No No.

Belén, her nephew Carlos and her daughter Claudia. Family solidarity trip 🙂

The day to day in Kenya is very different from that of Spain. What surprised you the most about the way of life there?

Over there life is very simple and very similar every day. I was surprised precisely by that: how we have forgotten that with four simple things you can be happy.

How was your relationship with the girls in the project?

Mi was very close with some of the smaller girls, whom I came to love very much. With the rest I could not connect so much. They speak Swahili among themselves, most of them are teenagers and they are used to dealing with many volunteers who come and go... On the one hand they are very friendly but on the other they do not develop an intimacy with anyone.

Belén with some of the girls and volunteers from the center.

Is there a story of a girl that particularly shocked or surprised you?

I remember one of the children. Sodomized by his father, torn apart from the waist down and with many operations financed by crowdfunding to have a decent life. Terrible.

What did you like the most about your experience?

People. With the rest of the volunteers we had a very good relationship! Except with one of them, who had not quite adapted to the project.

Tourism, adventure and solidarity came together on the trip from Bethlehem to Kenya.

Did you take advantage of the trip to go sightseeing?

Yeah! We went to Masai Mara, a natural reserve where species such as lions, rhinos, hippos, elephants, zebras… it was fantastic! We also visit Nairobi, the capital, and the suburb of Karen. And most surprising, the lake!

What would you advise a person who is about to travel? 

You must be clear that volunteers are not really essential. What the project needs most is financing to move on. And in that, the people who collaborate in the project also collaborate.

Also, I would tell you that must arm yourself with mental integrity to adapt to a much more modest place than Spain. And I don't mean the project, but the cities and towns you visit. Also have to travel with joy to get carried away by everything that is happening. In this way, to enjoy and give the best to people who are simply good and to whom the slightest thing makes them happy.

Claudia and Carlos in Kenya. The trip was a learning experience for them.