Monica: "the NGO and Kenya have left their mark on me"
 |
| Monica in the kenya project. He collaborated for 3 months. |
From June to September 2018, Monica lived a summer full of learning, adventure and solidarity. collaborated with a NGO that welcomes street children in Kenya. Before leaving, “I knew I would miss every single person at the center,” she says.
Why did you choose to make a solidarity trip and why to Kenya?
I had in mind to take a solidarity trip for a long time! I decided after going to a meeting of Tumaini in Barcelona. Two friends had already lived the experience and had recommended it to me, but I had a thousand doubts: would I adapt to the site? Could you contribute something to the project? My background is scientific, it has nothing to do with boys and girls! So I thought that perhaps I could contribute more to a project related to the empowerment of women. But Monica's Tumaini He recommended that I collaborate with an NGO that helps street children. Now I can't imagine a better experience!
 |
| Monica shared solidarity trip with other volunteers like Víctor, from Granada |
What tasks did you develop as a volunteer?
The tasks are very varied! From helping Barbra (the teacher) in the class with the little ones to giving Spanish classes to the Vocational group (a kind of professional training). We also taught them to cook Spanish food while they taught us to prepare Swahili food, we helped them iron in the sewing service, prepare activities for children (gymkhanas, zumba classes, etc.) and to prepare the “outreach”.
What are the "outreach"?
It is what you spend the most time on, and for me it has been the most interesting part of the project. It consists of going by bus to Wake Runge or to Makadara (in Mombasa), where there are boys and girls without schooling and living in very hostile conditions. With these outings you follow these boys and girls, you do activities for them to learn and have fun, you give them bread and milk, etc. The objective is to detect the cases of boys and girls in a situation of greater vulnerability and try to talk to parents or guardians to offer them to go live in the center. There the minors will have their basic needs covered and have access to a better future. Parents can continue to visit their sons and daughters, of course, since parental affection cannot be replaced! I think that this activity is where we need volunteers the most.
 |
| The project welcomes street boys and girls and offers them education. |
Tell us three things you learned about Kenya on your trip that you didn't know before
First things first: I didn't know that people are so kind, caring and welcoming! The second, Kenya is “hakuna matata” and “pole pole”, that is, the country “without haste and without problems”. And finally, I got to know the ugali, a mixture of flour and water, which is the star of the meals. Everyone is proud of it, even admitting that it doesn't taste like anything! 🙂
You have been in the project for a long time, how was your first impression when you arrived?
The first impression of Kenya was that of chaos as the driving is insane. Matatus (minibuses), tuk tuks, motorbikes, cows and people share the road! Regarding the project, the first day they took us to an area where the boys and girls from the center were waiting to perform in the choir and traditional dance competition, and I remember our surprise when we saw that from the first moment they hugged us and held our hands without letting go... we feel a lot of intensity and affection from the beginning!
 |
| One of the things that Monica learned is that Kenya is the country of "hakuna matata" |
And the last one before you go?
The last impression was to feel part of the project. I knew I would miss every single person downtown., each one of the smiles and hugs of the boys and girls, from the smallest to the adolescents. That the NGO and Kenya had left their mark on me, that I had a home there.
 |
| Kenya and the project They have left a mark on him forever. |
Monica collaborated with the shelter for street children from Mombasa from June 27 to September 3.