Jambo from Mombasa!

Hello everyone!!

We have arrived safe and sound in Mombasa! Our hotel is beautiful, the food is wonderful, the pool is large and the sun is shining. Life right now for our group is truly amazing.

My apologies for the delay! There were varying technical problems over our last days at MCF, including the whole village being without electricity for a day as well as wifi being down for 3 days. I appreciate your understanding with the delay with the updates.

Our last few days were memorable, albeit extremely tearful and sad. We had to say our ‘see yous’ with our friends that we had made. During our stay at MCF we were able to build relationships with the students and staff and we found that when it came time to spend our afternoons or evenings with them, as opposed to introducing ourselves, we would start the conversation from where we left off. We learned about their past and heard about their futures.

The building project of the boys dormitory was very hard work, for some of us it was the first time we had ever done manual labour! While some of us dug the trenches for the foundation and pipes, others would move piles of dirt using a potato sack. A Lord Byng student would hold on to one side while an MCF student would hold on to the other. While doing these trips, partnerships were formed and stories were shared. I found that it was common to do up to 30 trips with your partner while working… so you can imagine the stories and the connections that we were able to make with the students while walking and talking.

Our final day at MCF was spent working in the morning. We split the Lord Byng and MCF students up into two groups since day one was so successful the second group was able to work on a different project, the Chicken coup that MCF is building. Though the sun was hot, our spirits were very high and the students worked very hard.

Over the two working days the teachers and chaperons decided to give out MVP’s for the students demonstrating the most effort. The following MVP’s were given and will receive a small token for their efforts one evening while we are here in Mombasa.

Day 1: Andy, Gordon, Liam, Emma W., Lucy & Georgia
Day 2: Tom, Jack, Tabriz, Ayden, Noa, Christina, Emma C.,& Haiely.

That afternoon we had an assembly. The MCF students sang songs, danced and even did an acrobatic show. I’m told that the show that we watched at the assembly was the same performance that MCF did on their cross-Canada tour a couple of years ago. Following their performance it was Lord Byng’s time to shine and the students sang their song to the entire assembly. It was very well done and the MCF students seemed to really enjoy it! Following the group song, a small group of Lord Byng students did a dance for the assembly, which was also very well received with the MCF audience standing on chairs and practically each other to see the students dance! After this we had another small group of Lord Byng students sing with MCF students to the assembly.

We had to say our final ‘see yous’ at the assembly and we carried on our way to prepare our luggage and eat our final dinner. Parting with the students was very sad, we wished them well and told them to continue with their studies. The students and staff have asked me to send greetings to the families back in Vancouver, so I am happy to pass on the greetings on behalf of them to all of you.

This morning we woke up, enjoyed a very delicious breakfast and went to visit the MCF branch in Vipingo Village. We had class time with the students then there was a soccer match with MCF kids vs. Lord Byng students. I wish I could report that the Lord Byng students demonstrated strong soccer skills, but much like their previous hockey match while at MCF Ndalani, they got completely schooled. It’s alright though, I think everyone watching the game, some 200+ people still enjoyed to watch.

We now have our first ‘afternoon at leisure’ in a very long time. Some students are enjoying the gym while others are in the pool.

The following are pictures that have been taken over the last week in Ndlanai as well as today in Vipingo. I will try to send more pictures and videos while we are here in Mombasa as the internet seems more reliable than while we were in Ndalani.

Sending you all our very warm wishes,
Natalie

Getting ready for some lunch

Riley with some friends
Afternoon time with friends at MCF
Singing songs with the children
Getting our hair braided :)

Ms. Smiths group

Hailey meeting her classmates today
The children enjoyed our sunglasses
Planting a tree in Ndalani
Frank and Ayden taking a break in the shade

The song we were greeted with today. Ensure your volume is on, the song was adorable!

Today's classroom

Some of the students that we met today

More students today at Vipingo. They are holding a homemade soccer ball composed of paper and string. The students played with a real soccer ball, but this an alternative for the students that wish to play but do not have a real ball.
Lord Byng students with their MCF representatives, Judy and Freda
Ms. Makris' group!

Stay tuned, more to come!!!!!

Natalie