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Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

“ Youth Aid Africa”

‘A celebration of Young Peoples ability to

overcome, in the face of adversity.’

Expedition Leader: Susan Best

Fellow of 2006

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Expedition to Kenya

The whole YAA Group set off from Mt Kenya National Park gates to make their ascent of the mountain. Background: The background to this expedition taking place has been formulated over the past six years. I had,

during the course of my part-time involvement in Youth Work within the Southern Education &

Library Board Youth Service in Northern Ireland, taken part in a Raleigh International Expedition to

Western Namibia in the Millennium year 2000. I also have a broad Youth Work experience

background with hill walking and Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award experience. I spent approx 18 mths,

in a part-time voluntary capacity with Raleigh, before, during and after the expedition working with

the 100 young people that had been recruited from all over Northern Ireland, from all back grounds.

It was a life changing experience, not just for myself, but for very many of the young people that

took part both from Northern Ireland and in Namibia. As a voluntary Project Manager, it impressed

me so much and imprinted in my mind the huge significance that an expedition of this nature can

have on young and old alike. Personally, it gave me the courage to give up my full time job of 15

years as a Head Cook in a busy school meals kitchen, which produced 500 meals per day, to

undertake a 3-year full time Bsc course in Community Youth Work in the University of Ulster.

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When I graduated, I took up an Area Workers post in South Armagh. This area until recently was

more commonly known as ‘bandit country’ due to the high incident level of terrorist activity in the

past.

After having worked there for 3 years, and with relative peace in Northern Ireland, I thought it was a

viable plan to undertake a project involving both sides of the political divide.

The purpose of the Fellowship was to bring two groups of young people from differing religious

backgrounds, together, in order that they overcome their differences through shared preparation,

training and the expedition itself. It was my intention to give them a super ordinate goal that would

supersede these differences and allow them to work together in order to achieve a common goal.

I contacted a local charity called ‘Adventure Alternative ‘ which operates from Coleraine, in

Northern Ireland that I had seen advertised in the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Journal. This

company provides young people from all over Great Britain with an opportunity to take part in an

all-round experience, of a challenging and highly enjoyable expedition in East Africa.

I researched the company’s background and what they offered and decided that it would be a viable

option for a venture of this kind to be run. Adventure Alternative has set up it’s own sister company

in Kenya called Africampers, which is run entirely by ex-street kids and who are all now adults. All

of them have been supported by the charity the company set up called Moving Mountains, which has

saved thousands of destitute kids in the country.

The expedition that Adventure Alternative offered consisted of a thirty-two day trip to Western

Kenya. It was to be in four parts. The first stage was the renovation of three classrooms in a remote

village called Ulamba, approximately two hours drive from the second city of Kusumu. The second

stage of the expedition consisted of the ascent of Mount Kenya, standing at 16,250 ft above sea

level. The third stage offered some rest and recuperation in the form of a mini safari and cultural

visits to the near-by Samburu Tribe. The final stage required that the young people act as hosts to a

group of orphans from the Jambo Jipya Orphanage in Mombasa for a weeks respite care in Malindi.

During the course of our holidays to Kenya that year, my husband and I undertook visits to several

of the Moving Mountains Projects ‘in country ‘, and met up with the staff team there. After these

visits, and having pondered on the suitability and appropriateness of the proposed expedition, I

decided to go ahead with it.

I applied for, and was awarded a Travelling Bursary with The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

which took care of all of the expenses accrued by myself over the expedition. This was a huge help,

which allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on a planning strategy for the young people. It was also a

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major boost for morale to the YAA group, in that it gave them a very real belief that they were being

taken seriously in their venture.

Prior to the expedition planning, the two groups met over 15 weeks, to undertake a fairly in-depth

Community Relations course in order to explore each other’s traditional backgrounds and beliefs.

This time and training also allowed a natural self-selection process within the groups as to who was

really committed to the project. Out of the original 25 participants, we were left with a slightly

imbalanced single group of 12 Catholics and 5 Protestants.

With a solid foundation built of committed participants, the young people commenced the daunting

task of raising sufficient funds in order to undertake the expedition in 18 months time.

The Charity estimated that each Participant had to raise £2,500 each. This included cost of flights,

insurance and all food and transport whilst in Kenya. Accommodation was under canvass. In reality

however, it was just over £2,800, taking into consideration the cost of medication and the quality of

clothing needed to undertake the ascent of Mt Kenya safely and comfortably.

The group decided that they would name themselves ‘Youth Aid Africa’ and opened a bank account.

Over the next 18 months they raised money in a veritable myriad of fund raising activities. They

wrote to businesses, shops and applied for grants. Very often, they were turned down, as many of

these contacts would not support over-seas activities of this nature. Eventually, the group decided

that they would take things into their own hands and raise money for themselves rather than attempt

to accrue it from other sources.

They bag packed in Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer’s Supermarkets. They held several abseils

down various tall buildings in Belfast. They ran discos, raffles, car washes, pub quizzes, bar b ques

and street collections.

Their final total raised was a staggering £48,000.00. Not only did they have sufficient funds to cover

all expenses, but also they had a surplus, which they would be able to bring over to Kenya to spend

as they saw fit, when ‘in country’.

During this period there were training days and camping trips organised in the Mourne Mountains.

The Local Councils of Craigavon and Armagh City, allowed the young people to have free access to

their respective leisure facilities, in order to train, in readiness for the ascent of Mt Kenya.

The day of departure arrived and there were tears of sadness leaving loved ones behind, but there

were tears of excitement as well. Some of the group had never even been on a plane before, let alone

embarking on a life changing expedition such as this.

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Two members of the YAA group prepare to abseil Training in the Mournes. down the BT Tower in Belfast with Deputy Mayor of Armagh (left).

The young people had been well briefed as to what they might expect when they arrived in Kenya.

But, no amount of talking can prepare you for the real thing. The culture shock was quite

considerable. The heat, the smells, the people were thrust upon them as they disembarked from the

plane. The Big Green Lorry met the group, which was to become a second home during the huge

amount of miles travelled over the next month. We were to spend 24 hours resting and acclimatising

to our surroundings in a travellers compound just a few miles outside of Nairobi. This allowed the

young people time to familiarize themselves with the timetable ahead, meet staff, ask questions, put

up tents and also become acquainted with the wonderful toilet facilities that were to become second

nature to them in the days ahead!!

Long drop toilets, far from home, but such a beautiful view when you come out again!!!

The following day, we left the relative comfort of our surroundings in Mougabi Road and

commenced the eight-hour drive towards our destination in Ulamba, Western Kenya. The journey

was eye opening for the young travellers from Northern Ireland. Nothing could have prepared them

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for the scenes that unravelled before their eyes. The scenary and the beauty of the Great Rift Valley,

the poverty in the villages, the lushness of the countryside and the people: Men women and children

who many times greeted us with whoops of delight when they saw the bus rumble into sight. We just

thought that they were happy to see us, but in actual fact they were just glad to have an opportunity

to make a few Kenyan shillings from selling their wares. Bunches of green bananas were thrust up to

the rolled up windows of the bus: corn cobs that had been cooked over open braziers and roasted,

peanuts still warm from the fire were held aloft for us to buy for a few pence. Very often young

children would just shout for a few shillings or sometimes they begged to be allowed a cigarette.

The young people from Northern Ireland at first were overcome by this and shied away from the

street vendors. But eventually, they became braver and plucked up the courage to try the proffered

goods. The wonder of acceptance between young people making friends, I found quite humbling.

The older generation should take note. Our group were incredulous at the many smiling and

accepting faces of young and old alike in the face of such stark poverty. On one such stop, two of the

boys went to use a local long drop, and regaled us with a story of how they had shared a packet of

biscuits with a small group of toddlers that were playing in a dump. They were overawed by the

response they had received. How could one packet of biscuits generate such delight and adulation?

During the day we had several such encounters and each stop was the same. How could these people

who had so little, be so happy to see our young people that had so much?

We drove passed Naivasha, Nakuru, and made a stop off in Kisumu, an hour and a half’s drive from

our destination. Whilst there, we made a quick stop for any last minute treats that would have to tide

us over for the next two weeks. The young people were glad to visit the largest shopping mall in

Kisumu , but were surprised at how limited supplies were, even in this big store.

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The ‘craic’ was mighty on the bus, with a real sense of excitement in the young people that their

long awaited adventure was finally unfolding. The Northern Ireland group had by this time made

firm friends with ‘Moving Mountains’ staff who accompanied us on the bus. As we travelled, we

swapped names, songs and stories and by the time we arrived at the Ulamba Orphanage it was pitch

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‘The Green Machine’. Inside the ‘Green Machine’.

black and about 11.30 at night.

We were stiff, sore and tired after more than 11 hours travelling, as the roads were under

construction. We had become aware of ‘Kenya time’…. which meant that any times given, usually,

were a large approximation of real time stated!!!

The group had been having such a good time singing, that we awoke all the children in the

orphanage and we had quite a welcoming committee to greet us when we disembarked from the bus.

There were tears of tiredness and excitement from our group as well as from the children from the

orphanage as we shook numerous hands and exchanged hugs.

Mama Rose looked after this group of about 30 young children aged between 8 and 15 years old.

Many of them were without families, as the Aids virus that is sweeping the continent of Africa had

decimated their families. Some were the illegitimate and unwonted offspring of sex workers. Some

were young people that had been abandoned by families that could not afford to keep them and

others were victims of cruelty and neglect. We grew to love and care for these scraps of humanity as

the weeks ensued.

That night, under a huge moon and with light provided by the headlights of the ‘Green Machine’,

and lightening flashing in the far distance, we erected our new fangled tents and crawled into bed

under canvas, exhausted.

The strident clanging of a bell at the unearthly hour of 5.00am awakened us!!! The sun was up and it

appeared, so were the children. This is the time they rise every day, as 5.00am is when the sun

comes up and as there is no electricity, they live and have their being when it is light. Hence the

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5.00am start. Simple. The kids went off to school and we had a lie in until about 7.00am. It was

getting too hot in the tents anyway when the sun hit the canvas.

This was a strange and wonderful awakening. The previous night, we could not see much as it was

ink black beyond the light of the headlights. Now in the light of day, we were able to see the lie of

the land and get orientated. We were still tired, hungry and smelly, having not had the opportunity to

wash over the previous 24 hours.

However, we were soon introduced to the joys of bucket showering and after a wash, and breakfast

of bread, (not as we know it, but bought in our honour,) a hard boiled egg and a cup of chai, we were

ready for anything!!

The group was called to order and the next two weeks were outlined for us. The team was to be

broken up into two, with half going off to the building project whilst the other half would

accompany the young scouts that would be joining us later on that day. We would then alternate the

days.

The scouts were also orphans from a neighbouring village and attended the school that we would be

working on. However, as it was Sunday we would not be starting the building until the following

day and we had been invited to attend mass, at another orphanage close by. The difference between

this orphanage and the orphanage we were camping at was that these kids all had the Aids virus.

There were so many kids at the orphanage that we could not all fit into the building. We were

greeted by shy smiles and great curiosity, as most of the children had never seen a white person

before. However, all shyness was soon blown away as we all took part in a very uplifting yet simple

church service under the trees. It was amazing to witness black, white, Catholic and Protestant young

people all singing together off the same hymn sheets. After the service, we spent the rest of the

morning playing games and chasing the kids.

The remainder of that day was spent in preparation for receiving our guest scouts. They arrived late

afternoon and in no time at all, they had their tents erected and their meagre belongings moved in.

There were 20 in total, boys and girls, aged between 8 and 16. Introductions were made, but with the

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confusion that ensued, that we all agreed to wear name badges until we got to know each other

better!!

The young scouts took our breath away. We had so much to learn from them. They had erected their

tents and then proceeded to make furniture for their camps from bits of bamboo and huge machetes

that would have left our safety officer at home, positively apoplexic!! Then they proceeded to make

up the best cooking fires that I have ever seen outside of an International Scouting Jamboree. All our

young people got stuck in making up the evening meal, under the expert guidance of these little

people. It was quite bizarre and very humbling.

This was to be our introduction to Ugali. This is the staple diet of Kenyan people. It has the

consistency of cold mashed potatoes and wall paper paste and I would suggest to any fellow traveller

to ensure they bring ample supplies of chilli sauce in order to make it slightly more palatable!!

However, we were guests and as we had to eat it twice a day for the next four weeks, we had to get

used to it or starve. It was usually accompanied by boiled kale and, in our honour, some kind of

stewed meat. This was an unheard of luxury for the young Kenyans, who normally only eat meat

once a week if they are lucky.

The following day, we all piled into the ‘Green Machine’in order to visit the site where we would be

building over the next two weeks. The school was about 5 km away and was attended by 350 pupils.

Imagine our delight and surprise to find that every man, woman and child from the surrounding area

was there to greet us when we arrived. One of the young people remarked that she felt like a famous

pop star, such was the fervour with which we were welcomed. Even the local chief was there.

The school had old classrooms that were constructed from mud and the skeletons of three brick

made structures that had been build by a previous group with the Charity. It was our job to finish

these buildings off and make them habitable. However, as we had no running water and no

electricity for cement mixers, it looked a daunting task. All water was collected for our use from a

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nearby river that served the whole community. Every morning, each child in the school filled up a

container from the river and it was all poured into barrels. The same happened at lunchtime.

We were expected to throw concrete floors, plaster the buildings inside and out, put in windows and

doors and paint the three buildings, inside and out. None of us had any experience of this kind of

work before but we had a local foreman and a couple of other male helpers that kept us right.

The work was very hard, it was very hot and the days were very long. We started at 8.00am and

continued until school was over at 5.00 pm. Then it was back to the orphanage for a bucket shower

and then we had to build the fires and cook our own meals…. of kale, ugali and stewed meat. The

group that had not been building that day, very often were as tired as the builders, as they had been

playing games, taking part in art and craft workshops and generally having a great time with the

young scouts.

It wasn’t all hard work. Every other day we had the opportunity to have our day with the scouts. We

took them on excursions to near by Kasumu, where we took a boat trip out on to Lake Victoria and

saw Hippos. Most of them had never left their own village before, so even the simplest trip filled

them with wonder. All of the young people from Northern Ireland had brought a little extra money

with them and they were able to treat the young Kenyans to things that we would take for granted,

like flip-flops or perhaps a school bag or a football.

Work on the school was going very well. Each group tried to out do the other by the amount of work

that was carried out daily. It was this good-natured competition and progress that allowed the group

to undertake another project that had not been scheduled.

It transpired that there had been a borehole dug at the school in the past. But, unfortunately, the

village had run out of funds and had never installed a pump. Our young people had raised extra

funds to bring out to Kenya to spend, in country on what ever they deemed appropriate. When they

heard about the unfinished pump, the unanimously agreed to pay for the pump and it’s installation. I

think that this was the highlight of the whole expedition for them. The whole community now could

avail of clean and wholesome drinking water instead of relying on the local river that was used for

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everything from watering the cattle, to bathing in and cooking with. Sometimes, when the children

came up with water from the river to drink, they had to sieve it through their tee shirts in order to

filter bits out of it.

Our young people set to, once again, in a concentrated effort to lay the foundations for the

installation of the pump. It was tight going, but the entire group worked together and made a huge

effort so it could be finished before our departure. We just made it with no time to spare.

The whole community turned out to open the new classrooms and unveil the water pump.

Classrooms after renovation. Classrooms before renovation. Pump water for the first time!!

A feast was held in our honour, speeches were made and Winston Churchill medals were handed out

to the Tribal Chief, the Pastor, the Headmaster and to our wonderfully forgiving and patient

foreman, Winston. We said our sad farewells to the many children that we had come to know and

befriend over the past two weeks.

It was also time to say our farewells to our young guests, the scouts as well as to the many children

in the orphanage. This was hard, as very many of us had formed special bonds with particular

favourites. There were many tears shed as the scouts took their leave of us. The following day we

were ready to leave for the next stage of our adventure. We had a big celebration that night at the

orphanage with a bonfire, singing and dancing. It was a marvellous night, under a full moon with

lightening flashing in the far distance.

Some photos of dancing +

fire and

The following day, we arose

early, to say a last farewell to

the children before they set

off for school. Mama Rose,

our good friend and hostess

and

Matron of the orphanage was

also presented with a

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Winston Churchill medal. This formidable woman oversees the 30 orphans in her care with just 3

helpers, cooking and cleaning and providing for all the needs for these children as well as looking

after 10 of her own children!

At last the team were ready to undertake the ascent of the Mountain that they had been training so

hard for the previous year. Mt Kenya, standing at 16,250 ft above sea level, was going to prove, by

far, the most difficult task that the team had undertaken.

The journey down to Naro Moru, at the base of Mt Kenya was long, arduous and extremely bumpy.

Sleep was impossible. However, it was made that little bit more tolerable with card games, quizzes

and singing. We arrived in the Blue Line Hotel in the late evening. This was to be our base camp

and where we would leave excess luggage not needed for the mountain.

The Blue Line Hotel might well called a hotel but it was certainly not like any other hostelry that I

have ever come across. However, we were to make camp in the grounds and there was the use of a

long drop and our meals would be prepared for us; a veritable luxury after having had to cook for

ourselves over open fires for the past two weeks.

The following day, the team travelled to the Equator to do some souvenir shopping and view the

Correllis Effect on the Equator line. This is an extraordinary phenomenon, whereby if you step to the

Northern side of the Equator line, a stream of water

falling through a small hole in the bottom of a bowl

swirls in an anti- clock wise direction, if you step over

the line and into the Southern Hemisphere, the water

swirls in a clockwise direction. If you stand directly

on the Equator line, the water doesn’t swirl at all and

pours straight down.

Back at the Blue Line, there was time for some

clothes washing and the task of packing the ruck sacks for the mountain. The young people would

not be making use of porters and would be carrying everything they needed for the 5 days, including

food, tents and fuel. It was a difficult task, as initially many of them tended to pack too much and

then had to reconsider if everything was really necessary when it came to actually lifting the bag

onto their backs. However, at last it was all done. We enjoyed a last meal that evening and finished it

off with some birthday cake and an impromptu party as one of the girls celebrated her 18 th birthday.

Presents that had been carried from home were now produced and a phone call from home prompted

a few tears.

The following day, we arose early, water bottles were filled, consumed and filled again and we set

off for the gates of Mt Kenya’s National Park, approx 25 kms away.

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At this stage, we had not even viewed the mountain from a distance. The first day we were able to

take our time and walk up to the Met camp .Our starting point was at 7500 ft. The distance covered

is 10km and usually takes 3-4 hours. The journey was through lush green forestation on a clear,

well-marked and established road. We were told that it was wise to get in before dark, as there were

water buffalo that came out to graze after the sun went down. To date, we had not seen any wild life

at all apart from birds. However, this was to be rectified very quickly as we had our first encounter

with a family of baboons not far along the path. This caused lots of excitement and several stops for

photo opportunities. The group was moving slowly, as a member of the team suffered from asthma

and we wanted her to feel comfortable with the pace. It was a good opportunity for the group to get

used to carrying their heavy packs again and fine tuning any weight distribution. Arriving at the

camp, the groups set up their tents, prepared their evening meal and had fun watching the cheeky

monkeys swinging from tree to tree and sometimes venturing a little closer, causing much

consternation for several of the girls as a particularly bold baboon bounced down and pinched a

packet of biscuits that had been for a last treat before the mountain.

Day two is generally regarded as the toughest day. This is mainly due to the terrain, distance and

altitude covered. The first section of the walk took about an hour as legs stretched out again up the

steep path and soon we arrived at the Met Station at (11,000ft).

Here, the group rested and people got their first glimpses of the view across the African Plateau

thousands of feet below. From here, we followed a short path to the top of the forest and we popped

out onto the Vertical Bog (11,500ft).

The Vertical Bog is not as it is implied, vertical. It would be better described as a 45% Slieve

Binnian, in the Mournes. However, although the distance covered was not massive, progress was

slow as we meandered our way from tufts of dry ground to knee-deep mud. After, about five hours,

we arrived at the Picnic Rocks (13,500ft), where lunch was gratefully consumed. By this time

several of the group were showing signs of discomfort due to the altitude.

By this stage, the worst of the day was over. From here, the gradient lessened and morale perked up

again with some fuel in the tummies and dry socks.

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The next section of the day we ascended parallel with the open expanse of the Teleki Valley until we

reached the shoulder of the mountain (14,000ft). From this point, at last we could at see our

destination. Mount Kenya itself, floating in the clouds in the not too far distance.

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Weird and wonderful flora and vegetation was abundant. Apparently, some of the scenes from ‘Star

Wars’ were filmed here.

Darkness had fallen by the time we reached McKinders Camp. It was very cold now that we were at

altitude of 15,000 ft. Tents were erected and food was prepared, even though many of the group did

not even feel like eating due to tiredness. We all fell into our tents very gladly that night.

The following morning, we awoke to the very soft sound of snowfall on the canvas. Amazing to

think that the previous day, people had been uncomfortable in the 35degree heat and now we were

experiencing snow!

Some of our Africamp staff had accompanied on this trip. It was their first time to make the ascent of

the mountain as well. I remember lying in the cosy warmth of my sleeping bag and listening to one

of our girls explaining to Ozzie, a leader with MM, what snow was and how to make a snowman out

of it. I just wish that I had had a tape recorder.

It certainly was cold in comparison to the climate that we had left down on the plains. That first

night, the temperature dropped down to minus 5 degrees. At this point, I was so glad that we had

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made an extra effort to fund raise that little bit more, in order that we would have the best gear for

the job.

The following day we were able to take stock and assess how fit and able people were feeling for

tackling the mountain. There were a couple of young people that were feeling the worse for wear.

Mild altitude sickness was affecting one of the girls, another who suffered from asthma was feeling

that this was as far as she was going and one of the boys was suffering from really bad blisters and a

slightly swollen ankle due to a misplaced step the previous day.

The remainder of the group were fit and well and psychologically raring to go. It was decided that a

member of staff would stay with the injured and the remainder of the team would leave the

following night for the summit. The next day two days were spent resting, eating and more

importantly, drinking plenty of water in order to stave off symptoms of altitude sickness and an

acclimatisation walk that afternoon helped to loosen up stiff muscles.

The climbers had an early night as we were to set off on our summit attempt at 2.00 am the

following morning. We left the camp in cold darkness having been seen off by the ones not going for

the summit. Our line of sparkling head torches slowly meandered up the path to our first obstacle,

the big scree slope that lies at the foot of the mountain. It would have been daunting had it been

viewed in the light of day. There is method in the madness of starting so early in the morning, not

just a lengthened day for walking and less heat, but also the psychological boost of walking blind

and being unable to see what lies ahead.

All the training days in the Mourne Mountains over the past year paid off. It was hard. Many

struggled but encouraged each other to continue. At 6.00am, the group reached the summit of Point

Lanana in time to watch the sun rise over the African Plains below. It was a fantastic moment and

The team at the summit of Point Lenana, 16,250 ft above sea level.

We did not stay too long at the top, as it was a very cold minus 10. Not the temperature we were

used to back home in Northern Ireland. The team, buoyed up by their success, positively tumbled

back down the mountain to McKinders Camp. There, we found to our delight, that the ‘casualties ‘

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had packed up our tents and kit for us and it was just a matter of a short stop for some hot food and

drinks and we continued our way back down to the Met Camp. Sore feet and aching muscles were

forgotten that night in camp as the group celebrated their achievement.

The following day we travelled back to Nairobi, in order to have a short rest and prepare ourselves

for the next part of the expedition.

The next part of the expedition was to take us to the Samburu Game Park for three days Safari.

Again we rumbled our way over impossible roads, and arrived slightly behind schedule, as we had to

take a detour due to the impassibility of the roads due to heavy rain. However, we made a stop in the

afternoon heat to visit the Samburu settlement near the park gates. The tribe’s people came out to

greet us and we were invited to join in with some of their traditional dancing and singing. They were

very gracious to us and allowed us to go inside some of their manyattas and explained their culture

to us. Some of our young people attempted, under the amused stares of the local children, to make

fire from a hard wood that the local people use for this purpose. All we ended up gaining from our

efforts were red faces and a lit of sweat. Obviously, there is a technique to it that we had not

fathomed!!

The visit was fascinating. Their way of life is so hard, it was difficult for us to comprehend. The

warriors can take several wives and the wife must build a dwelling, which takes approx 3 mths

before the union takes place. They survive very much on their herds for everything. They drink

blood from their cattle and survive by making a sort of curd like food from this. It is only recently

that they have learned to take the example from their closely related Masai cousins and have started

to maximise on the influx of tourists to bolster their meagre existence. Whilst we were there, we

were able to watch them make jewellery, which they sell on to visitors like ourselves. This money is

used to help educate the children, who in turn, return to the tribe to help improve conditions.

The Kenyans take tourism very seriously. It is the buoyancy aid that helps to keep its very poor

economic infrastructure afloat. The Kenyan Wildlife Service jealously guards the National Parks and

woe betides poachers, who face hefty fines as well as lengthy prison sentences, if caught.

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We arrived at our wilderness campsite just as the sun was setting. It was so exciting to be camping

under monkey-infested trees, beside a slow lazy river, with all the strange night noises around and

about us. It was made all the more exciting to know that we were to have armed guards around our

camp every night in order to keep any not so friendly animals away. Although we had seen zebra,

gazelles, giraffe and a myriad of strange birds, as yet we had not caught any glimpses of more

dangerous wild life.

The next morning we were up at dawn for the first of our game drives. We were very lucky to see

cheetah, lions, elephants, water buffalo, wart hogs and a host of different antelope related animals,

such as Thompson’s Gazelles, Dic Dics, Oryx, Kudu and more. It was fascinating. Everyone was so

excited and cameras were out in force.

Safari Wild campsite. Lionesses resting in the mid- day heat.

The next few days were equally packed with excitement. Each time we were out on game drives, we

thought that it could not get any better, only to hear shrill squeals, “Oh! Look over there quick!! ”,

time and time again, as we came across another brilliant picture moment with something wild!!

Sadly, all good things come to an end. It was time to return to Nairobi to prepare for the last part of

the expedition. At least we had had the opportunity to relax and recover from the ascent of Mt

Kenya. After a 3-hour drive back to Mougabi road, we had a day in which to prepare ourselves for

the long road trip to Malindi on the Indian Ocean Coast. This was by far the longest journey yet in

country. We left early lunchtime and arrived the following day at about 11.am. It was a gruelling

journey with people strewn all over the floor of the bus taking it in turns to lie down for a sleep.

However, all was forgotten when we arrived in our new home for the next 5 days .We set up camp

within the boundaries of the National Marine Park. The park is roughly about 100 km North of

Mombasa and is a veritable jewel in Kenya’s crown. It is home to the Green and Hawksbill Turtle

and over 300 species of fish swarm in the warm and protected waters of the coral reef. Again , this

area was managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The camp site was about 100 metres from the sea .

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Here was a place that dreams are made of: white sands, palm trees, crystal-clear green seas and

…about a million spider crabs. However, as these mainly came out under darkness, we didn’t need

to worry too much. Although, sometimes they couldn’t make it back down to the sand in time for

sunset and fell out of the trees the following day much to our consternation on several occasions.

The following day we awaited for our group of young people that were to spend several days with on

holiday. These young people were from the Jambo Jipya Orphanage in Mombasa. Again, these

young people came to live in the orphanage through sad and often heart- breaking circumstances. It

fell to us to give them the best time of their lives. We took them snorkelling out in the coral reefs.

Although they lived close by the sea in Mombasa , many had never been in the sea before, as all the

big tourist hotels owned the sea front rights to the beach and they weren’t allowed to go there. We

went body boarding. We played endless games and football. We had trips to the local town where

we treated them to little things to us, but to them were huge. A simple thing like a toothbrush or a

pen, book or football made you friends for life. The children generally do not eat sweets. They have

not had the opportunity and they realise that if they get bad teeth, they have no recourse to dental

care if needed. They so captivated us, that when we returned home, the team designed a calendar to

sell and we made £2,500 .00 to send back to the Jambo Jipya Orphanage directly.

It was nearly time to go home. I think that it was the lowest point during the expedition. The children

left the day before we did. It was lucky that they did.

We had a storm that night, the like of which we had not come across before in Kenya. I have never

experienced rain like it. However, tomorrow was another day. Young Northern Ireland people are by

nature, very resilient. They bounced back in time for their long awaited treat…. the opportunity to

slaughter their own goat and drink it’s blood in honour of climbing Mt Kenya!!! Clothes were dried

out, tents repaired as best as could be and we were suddenly on the count down to home. We stopped

off briefly to see the kids from the Orphanage in their home setting and left them our guitar. This gift

was most enthusiastically accepted with great whoops of delight.

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Suddenly, we were back in Mougabi Road, getting ready to depart. We had a couple of more treats

in store. We got to watch the street kids football team, ‘The Black Cats’, in action in Nairobi. This

Team is doing well in the local League and is sponsored by the’ Moving Mountains Charity’. We

also got to visit a local elephant orphanage where young elephants that had been made homeless by

poachers were looked after until they were old enough to be returned to the wild.

There remained only one last duty to perform. That was a meal with all of our ‘Moving Mountains’

staff in the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. This restaurant is among the top 50 in the world. Not so

much for its haute cuisine, but for its atmosphere, décor and its huge bar-b-que area that cooks the

food. It was a bit like I would imagine Dante’s ‘Inferno’ to look like.

The following night, we departed at 2.00 am for the flight to Doha and home. The young people

were shattered, emotionally and physically. It was hard leaving people that had become firm friends

with us over the past month. They had shared in our good times and bad. Now, it was time to return

to normality.

This expedition has had a huge influence on the young people that took part. I told them at the start

of the undertaking, that I was going to give them a gift, and that I was going to watch them open it.

Reflection All of them, without exception, have said that it has been the most life changing experience of their

lives. All of them have returned home to achieve much more than they could have before the

experience. By their own admission: they can work effectively as part of a team: they can think on

their feet: they have learned organisational skills: they have commitment and drive to see a project

through from beginning to end: they can deal with adversity: they can keep going when the going

gets tough: they have discovered compassion: many have discovered new career prospects. They

have discovered themselves.

Since returning home, several of the group have had the courage to apply for and be accepted for

university entrance. These were young people that previously had been content to work in a

mundane, dead end job.

One young man, who had previously been excluded from school, has now embarked on a career in

Outdoor Education with the Local Youth Service. Another young woman that was a classroom

assistant in a Primary School has been accepted and has started her BSc in Youth and Community

Work at the University of Ulster. Yet another has been accepted by Liverpool University to study

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Nursing. She had previously worked in a chip shop. One of the young men that took part in the trip

has been offered a job with the Charity, helping to maintain the vehicles in Kenya. Two others have

decided to take a gap year and return to the Orphanage in Ulamba next year, to assist Mama Rose in

the running of the Orphanage.

The group as a whole have proved inspirational, not just to their many peers within the area and their

local community, but farther a field as well. There are two other voluntary groups that have

embarked on similar expeditions and our team have been invited along to information evenings in

order to disseminate whatever information they can, offer encouragement and act as peer

consultants.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has acted as the pebble that was dropped into the lake of

South Armagh and Craigavon and it has created waves of a very positive nature. Instead of hearing

about all the negative aspects from Northern Ireland and sectarianism, this expedition has proved

that given the opportunity, young people have the courage and commitment to rise above the things

of the past , work together and make a difference in their lives, other peoples lives, their own

Communities and their Country.

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Map of Kenya

22

Itinerary for Group

Camp Expanded ItineraryDateLocation

Jul-05 Team Departs from LHR6 Arrive and transfer to the Nairobi Overland site, afternoon tour7 Drive to Western Kenya 8hr drive past Naivasha, Nakuru, Kericho, Kisumu arriving at the Ulamba Orphanage8 Renovation and upgrade project at Komuok Primary school, teaching, games, sex ed and educational visits9 " "

10 " "11 " "12 " " 13 " "14 " "15 " "16 " "17 Trip to Kisumu, Kenya's 3rd City for email and purchasing of mountain food.18 Drive to the Blue Line Hotel at Naro Moru - the base of Mt Kenya. Visting Nakuru, Thompsons Falls, Naro Moru19 Rest and local tour to see the Mau Mau residences, and the correllis effect at the equator20 Walk to Met station - 4hrs on paths21 Walk to Mac Kinders Camp - 6 - 8hrs, bog and open valley22 Rest Day and optional acclimatisation walks23 To the summit, depart at 2am, summit by 6.30am, back to camp by 9am, leave 11am for Met arrive at 4pm24 Walk to the gate and be back at the Blue Line hotel by lunch25 Drive to Samburu, 4hrs and visit the Samburu Tribe for cultural learning, then game drive and camping26 Camping, safari and game drives27 Morning game drive and back to Blue Line for a Kenyan Cultural Evening28 Travel to Nairobi, 3 hours and stay at the Nairobi Overland Site29 Free morning to wash clothes, rest and an afternoon tour, catch the overnight coach to the coast30 Coast Section of the camp - Beach activities and visting the MM supported orphanage Jambo Jipya31 " "

01-Aug " "2 " "3 Arrive back in Nairobi4 Cultural Tour. Visit to Kabira to see Moving Mountains Clinic and work carried out in Primary school.5 Visit to the Elephant Orphanage and evening meal in the Carnivore (in the worlds top 50 restaurants)6 Early departure (3am) for the airportFly Out @ 0655

CoastO/N Bus to NBO

NBO TourElephant & Carnivore

To Coast O/N BusCoastCoastCoast

To SamburuSamburu

To BL & GoatTo NBO

Mac KindersMac Kinders

MetBlue Line

To Blue LineLocal Tour

Met

ProjectProject Finish

Mt Food / email

Project

ProjectProject

Project

ProjectProjectProject

Arrive NBO @ 0625To Western

AFC ONE

Fly Out

5/7 - 5/8Western

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Map Of Mount Kenya

24

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