Víctor in Kenya: “it is very nice to feel open to that experience”

Víctor in Kenya: “it is very nice to feel open to that experience”

Víctor with the boys and girls of the reception center in Mombasa.

In July, Víctor Martín left Granada to go on a solidarity trip to Kenya. He was one of the first people to collaborate, through Tumaini, in it shelter for street children on the coast of Mombasa. He participated in numerous volunteer activities with street boys and girls. In the backpack, brings back unforgettable anecdotes and, above all, a lot of learning from the little ones.

Every day is different in the Kenyan project where you collaborated, right?

Yeah! For example, we arrived when the boys and girls were participating in a traditional music and dance festival and we dedicated the first few days to accompanying and supporting the group. After, our schedule that was changing every day depending on the activity you were asked to do.

Homework, recreational activities... volunteer activities were very varied.

What activities did you do?

The team of reception center I was trying to get you through all the areas so you could give support in the children's class, play with them in their spare time, accompany the "social workers" on tours of different areas of the city in search of children who are on the street, give them support by entertaining the youngsters or chatting with the older ones, feeding them, giving cooking classes, cleaning the dining room or helping to prepare the food, ironing in the sewing workshop, helping to maintain the outdoor spaces of the center , orchard, gardens, dance classes... There is no typical day, you just had to be available and... let's work!

"The best part of the trip has been learning to immerse yourself in their world as one of the others."

What did you like the most about your solidarity trip?

The learning. You constantly learn with everyone: boys, girls, managers, families, colleagues... You immerse yourself in their world as one more and accept their way of livingto think, to express... It is very nice to feel open to that experience and feel and accept, why not say it, the fears and doubts that sometimes accompany you.

"Having to come back at 3 weeks was like a bucket of cold water."

And the least?

I have paid the hazing: I chose a period of stay of only three weeks! When you're boiling, it's like throwing a jug of cold water on yourself. I know for another time.

Can you tell us an anecdote that you remember with special affection?

Yes, the anecdote of the cookies! It was Sunday. We were coming back from our day off at the beach, and as we passed the project gate on the way home, we popped in to say hello. At the moment we were surrounded by a multitude of boys and girls who hung on to us, absolutely riotous and transmitting a love that, of course, overwhelmed me. One of them noticed a packet of cookies that I was carrying in the outer pocket of my backpack and asked me to distribute them. I, aware that the package was half and there would not be for everyone, I said no. I thought this would be a problem! Immediately several of them got together and told me: If there is not for everyone, give them to the little ones!

They were placed by size (I don't know if it matched age) and I accepted their decision. She seemed wise and generous to me! I handed out cookies until they ran out. There was not a bad gesture, not a regret, not even the first of those who ran out of cookies! The line broke up and they began to play as if nothing had happened.

Only Hussein, a four-year-old boy, he approached me with wide eyes and cookie crumbs at the corner of his lips, happier than a partridge. He looked at me with very wide eyes as if to say: "I ATE A COOKIE."

It may be silly, but it made me reflect and He left me for a while with that half smile and that goofy face that stays with you when you're comfortable.

Victor with two children from project.