Senior trip 2013 Diani Beach

The work for the community was really tough on this trip. We were notified that we would work, but how much time nor effort we would put in. We were kind of thrown into a situation and had to start somewhere and it was interesting to see how my peers tackled that situation. The first day was mainly an orientation day, where we got to see the hospital and dispensary that we would help build.

My group were lucky on the first whole day in Diani. We went snorkelling while the other group were digging for the foundation of the structure.  I found snorkelling very amusing and interesting and I don’t have too much experience and have only done it once before in my life. However it was really amazing to see a complete new set of fishes, whilst also having the guides pointing out some interesting facts that I did not know. I was really happy that I was given an opportunity to do this, despite that this was something we knew we were going to do. I must say, though, that the very feeling of being on a boat once again was one of my favorite moments from the trip. My family usually go to places where boats are required for transportation and I love the ocean since it is a personification of endless opportunities in life and I feel really confortable and safe on the sea. It gives me ease and time to reflect and I loved everything about the day out at sea, apart from becoming even more sunburned. 

The next day it was our time to dig for the foundations. It was really heavy and hard work, but I it felt good knowing that we were accomplishing this for the local community. I felt that both the service and the action part were taken into account while doing this, and the feeling increased even more when we later went to visit the local witch doctor. 

This visit was also extremely interesting. I really appreciate taking part of the culture of the locals. Folk healers are highly respected, are linked to the ancestors and work to ensure the weel being of the locals. They are really good at using herbs to cure the locals, but I still feel that it is important that the locals receive proper health care, performed by a doctor. The witch doctor can, I'm sure, provide cures for smaller health problems and I also think that the psychological effect can do wonders, but with more complicated problems, the hospital is going to be much needed. I'm glad we could at least provide some help to build a hospital for the locals.

The next day, many hours were spent cleaning the beach, in the sun and the work did sometimes seem, endless. Some students kept low profiles during the working hours, indicating what they believed the trip was all about. However since it was for a good cause for the local community and the environment, there was no one who argued against the project’s importance. During this time I remained in the shade as, white as I am, I did not want to extend my sunburned skin's time in the hot sun. Even if I did not enjoy the work as much this day, because it is hard to visualize what the impact of our work was (except for having a nice, clean beach), I'm grateful that I made an effort for our environment. This is not something I've done a lot in my CAS work, so I feel good about that I've at least tried it. We also hade a relaxing afternoon on the beach, and I really think I deserved it after the hard work.

The camp itself was extraordinary in its simplicity but excellence. I slept as well as I could, given my sunburn, and was refreshed every morning. The rooms were big enough to accommodate 20 people or so, but then I saw how much space each individual occupied by spreading out all their stuff everywhere. This is where I would like to thank my dad and mom for being so disciplinary with how space was distributed between us. I managed to survive on very little space while still being organized. The food we ate was often, not surprisingly, sea food and every meal I had was really good. 

I think my activities on the last day at the beach symbolizes my idea of complete relaxation and being mentally unaware of the IB and its disturbances. After playing beach football and eating a very good lunch, I along with some friends were just sleeping or reading in the shade. We talked about life and things we do and would do in the future. NOTHING was related to school for once, which I always hear or think about at home. It made me completely calm without any worries in life. I felt that this was a much needed break from the struggles of IB and the thoughts of University acceptances.

I really had a lovely week in Diani and appreciated all the activities we did, even the hard work in the village and on the beach. It was great to come home to my family and my usual routines in Nairobi and I feel relaxed and rejuvenated starting my classes again.