Agata – impressions from my visit to Kenya

My name is Agata and I want to share my experience of volunteering in Kenya. As a volunteer of the Mission of Love Foundation, I was at the UPENDO children’s home from 14.10.2022 to 15.12.2022. I spent 10 weeks there. Before leaving, I was both stressed and happy because after 5 years I could go back there again and help children in such a tangible way. I couldn’t wait to see how much some of Upendo’s beneficiaries have changed over those years. 

In fact, it’s hard to describe in words the things or situations I saw and experienced there, especially since there were so many of them. 

I’ll start with the everyday experiences. 

In addition to school, girls have many other responsibilities that they must perform. The day has its own specific rhythm, thanks to which they learn regularity and duty from an early age. 

From Monday to Saturday they get up at 5:30am, each of them has a separate part of the house to clean before going to school, which is just behind the fence. There is also morning prayer and of course breakfast. 

They spend most of the day at school. They return home in two rounds – younger children finish their lessons faster. All the girls wash their uniforms and shoes right after school. It would seem ‘funny’ that it is necessary to wash uniforms every day – but due to the climate, regardless of the season, it is necessary. Then time for tea and homework. Later dinner, and at the end of the day, before going to bed, they pray an evening prayer in the home chapel. 

The day is full to the brim. 

Sunday, however, is a completely different day, you can sleep a little longer and prepare yourself to go to the Holy Mass. The church is about a 30-minute walk from UPENDO, so it’s quite a distance to walk, considering you still have to go home afterwards. The Eucharist itself looks a bit different than the one we know. It lasts up to 2 hours – it is enriched with dancing and singing, which amazed me every time. All this makes you come home at lunch time. After lunch, there is a time for games and activities that the girls love. Here, their creativity and imagination know no bounds – and joy and laughter are endless. 

This is what a ‘standard’ week looks like. It happens that Saturdays or other days are free from school – then sometimes guests come, or there is an opportunity to work in the garden or kitchen, or just spend more time together. 

What stuck in my memory the most? The most was how much the girls were thirsty for closeness, love and attention. Not only the younger ones, but also the older ones. Each of them, whenever it was possible, wanted either to be held by the hand or hugged, or to look at her while playing or having a meal. Such a cliché, such nothing, but I still have an image of their joy in such moments in my head. More than once I noticed a twinkle in their eye or a smile on their face – a smile that rewarded all my hardships, a smile that gave me strength and energy to continue, a smile that made me smile myself. 

I’m thinking about my next visit…