This post started a few years ago when I met Heidi Totten, founder of 100 Humanitarians, who leads service expeditions to Kenya. Her son is Michael's age and he participated in our Shakespeare performing group. Heidi planted the seed that I should take Michael and Jordan on one of her trips. In May, with the help of many others, they had saved enough money and made the preparations to go.
This trip was significant for so many reasons. For one, Jordan studied extensively about African wildlife. He was so excited that the opportunities on the trip to see animals in their natural habitats were very frequent and much more than he had expected.
The boys were also able to meet many African families and youth. They found that looking at life from a different perspective while they were in Kenya was invaluable. The Kenyans really do have the Hakuna Matata mindset. Michael and Jordan understood that people can be happy and grateful with little material possessions. They were very inspired by the young native Christian orphans working hard to gain an education, so they would be able to improve the situation in their country. And Michael and Jordan felt the joy of connecting with brothers and sisters across the globe, whose lives were vastly different.
Lastly, the trip was a great experience for the boys because they were able to go with several family members. What a blessing that Grandma and Grandpa H decided to make the trip with them, and also Uncle E and cousin I! It was wonderful to share the experience with them so they could make the most of it while they were there and so they can remember together and keep the memories strong afterward.
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| Michael and Jordan worked to earn money for over a year before the trip. |
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They left on May 30th and traveled for nearly 24 hours to arrive in Nairobi.
This is a layover in London. |
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| The whole team is finally united after arrival from several routes of travel. |
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| Night One under the mosquito net |
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breakfast the first morning
We thrived on getting updates through email, text, and Facebook messenging, usually at 3 am... |
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| The first day had time to acclimate with a visit to an elephant orphanage and giraffe refuge center. |
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| a stop at a lookout on the way to the service sites |
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Grandma advocated for the boys to get a variety of "colorful" foods at mealtime.
But highlights for the boys were usually rice, potatoes, chicken, chipati, and fruit. |
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| I think this visit is to a school or maybe painting at the cultural center. |
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| A medicine man talked about several of the plants as the group planted hundreds of trees during the trip. |
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| Meeting students |
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| a refuge center for girls |
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| Jordan's favorite tree |
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| The roads in Kenya leave a lot to be desired. Quite a bit of time was spent on repairs and fixing flats. |
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| Everyone loved visiting this high school choir competition--a grcultural celebration full of energy |
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| Jordan with a favorite server they got to visit with a lot |
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| the fancy lodge with a pool where they stayed before Safari |
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| the resident lemurs at the lodge |
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| Michael's award winning photo from the open window of their safari jeep :) |
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| The gazelles were everywhere |
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| the hippos in the river just outside the lodge, flooded after heavy rain |
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| Our Maasai warrior driver/guides |
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| "Hot cocoa" at the coffee hour |
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| wrestling, red light/green light, thievery.. the monkeys were full of mischief |
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| the village visit |
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| jumping contest |
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| welcoming song |
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| putting up the fence around the cultural center |
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| Naming - Sangoi |
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| Nakoibo |
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| Mama Esther! |
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| Mully's orphanage |
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| Amazing youth |
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13 days after departure. The travelers returned home.
Jordan was able to sleep on his layover because he fit under the armrests. |
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| Michael home but dealing with jet lag and adjusting to America again. <3 |
