The Walk Centre and Dump Site
Today was pretty much the epitome of why we are here. So many emotional ups and downs and experiences that will stay with us for a very long time. The day started like the others before with a basic breakfast followed by a crazy 25 minute bus journey with Fred through the slums of Nakuru to The Walk Centre. Our students still as enthusiastic today as they were on day one were keen to see the students and classes they have bonded with over the last few days. The sound from the children in the classes singing and cheering as our students arrive is a noise I will really miss when we leave this place.
The day continued with the students doing some fantastic work in the classrooms. I have spoken with a number of the teaching staff at The Walk Centre and they have been extremely impressed with the teaching of our students. I am proud of the way they have taken everything in their stride and got on with the daunting task of teaching a group of nursery and primary school children who speak very little English. Whilst the students were working in the classrooms I continued to help with the replacement of the classroom outer walls.
This afternoon we went to the ‘Dump site’. Throughout the day my students had gotten a little emotional over the fact they knew we were visiting this area. 75% of the students from The Walk Centre live in this disease infested litter haven which can only be described as inhumane. The piles of litter and waste went on as far as the eye could see and the worst part of it all were the poor people rummaging through the trash to find any possible items that they could sell to make a dollar. The horrific nature of this place hit home with all of my group as they were imagining the students back at the school that they have bonded with living in these conditions. To say the occasion got the best of them was an understatement. The humbling nature of this visit will change the outlook a lot of our students have when they return home to the UK.
After a lot of tears we regrouped and spoke about the positives of what they had just experienced, despite the poverty and unimaginable conditions they realised that the best thing they can do for the children is to ensure they give them to best experience possible in their classes, which they most certainly have been doing. After this we had the opportunity to buy some handmade jewellery from some of the ladies that live in the ‘dump site’. The students were amazingly generous and made a number of purchases understanding that the money they spent would mean that family could eat tonight.
Tomorrow morning we head to the Massai Mara. We are all very excited and welcome the break from the hectic schedule from the projects. An earlier start of 6.30 hasn’t gone down too well but for sure will be worth it.
Danny Laywood (Walk Centre Group Leader)