These past three and a half months have been an incredible journey for all of us. It was a journey where each of us became best friends through all the challenges, scary moments, exciting times and pee in our pants laugh out loud moments :)We enjoyed every experience across East Africa and have all come out of this experience in our own way, transformed from trying new things, challenging ourselves, taking up group leadership roles, going to new places, volunteering, forming relationships with the local people, and pushing our comfort zones.
Here are some of everyone’s experiences, highlights and most memorable moments from the trip:
Chris enjoyed working with the kids at Edirisa where he made connections with the teachers at Lake Bunyonyi and loved the experience of living with the Maasai. At Esilalei Village with the Maasai, Chris tried out the traditional dress in Maasai blankets and played soccer. Chris also challenged himself with trying a healthier eating habit and had a lot of fun getting a lot of soccer jerseys.
Taylor formed lots of little friendships from all the kids at the school in Lubani to all the small Maasai warrior children in Tanzania. With some last hugs and many exchanged goodbyes at the airport, Taylor set off to Morocco on another adventure.
Becca enjoyed living in Esilalei with the Maasai where she fell in love with a little baby named Baracka, a pudgy cheeked, ambitious little girl who takes after cow herding from her mother.
Izzy brought a lot of laughs on the trip. A big highlight of his was encountering a little boy named Mzee Delta that made nothing but “baaa” sounds like a goat. Throughout the trip, he created more Mzee Deltas in the places we traveled to at the Maasai and at the UAACC.
Karen took a big leap in exploring art and education at Y.E.S., Edirisa and the UAACC. She created fun art projects from making candles with beeswax to sweet potato stamps and paint. One of her biggest highlights from the trip was hiking Mt. Sabinyo and creating art with the children at Lake Bunyonyi.
Alexa’s best experiences were at Lubani, spending time at J.J.’s house and Peace Kawomera Coffee Co, volunteering with Edirisa, living with the Maasai and scuba diving in Zanzibar.
Vicky pushed her comfort zone to greater heights. Some of the best times were rafting on the Nile, working at Edirisa, the Sipi Falls Hike, Halloween at Lake Bunyonyi, dinner at the Mille Collin Hotel in Rwanda, going on runs across the savanna, safari, mountain biking, living with the Maasai, swimming in the Indian Ocean and dancing in Zanzibar.
Will’s highlights of the trip were hiking to the summits of Mt. Sabinyo and living with the Maasai. Will also grew from being one of the quiet ones in the beginning to the most sassy.
Charlotte- “My most memorable moments are looking back at the things we accomplished: painting at Lubani, conquering Mt. Sabinyo, scuba diving in the sparkling Indian Ocean, and many more”.
Jessie pushed her comfort zone numerous times and brought a lot of support to activities when she was captain during free travel in Uganda. Jessie enjoyed swimming in Lake Bunyonyi, jamming with Mama Charlotte at the United African Alliance Community Center, climbing Sipi Falls, dancing with the Maasai, and loved swimming in the Indian Ocean with dolphins!
Zoe brought a lot of musical fun to the group playing guitar and singing during jam sessions. Her highlights of the trip was every moment hanging out with the group laughing and just growing and changing together.
Cliff gave a lot of encouragement and support to the group on all the challenging hikes and climbs. His best memories are with the people we’ve met on the journey: Salim, Padi, Carol Adams, Mzee Delta, and Emsea. Cliff also enjoyed the picture pals project with Roses family when we were with Y.E.S. in Uganda and flagging down transportation with the help from a young boy with a machete and an old man on a bicycle back in Fort Portal, Uganda.
Much love and many, many smiles as we return to the states for the winter holidays and go onto our next adventures accross the globe. CARPE DIEM!
