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Newsletter: Sign up below to hear all the latest news about the project: About the partnership: |
My Experience of Kenya It’s incredibly tricky to describe just how much my experience differed from my expectations. Despite my prior contact with some of the Kenyan students and teachers, I perhaps remained overly prepared to indulge my stereotypes and personal ideas. I’d liken it to the images and scenery you develop in reading a book, which is then totally blown away by a film adaptation – yet unlike the analogy I was delighted to have been illuminated, and I think this really underlines an important aspect of such partnerships.
From the plateau, I was fully expecting to see vast, flat savannahs of grasslands, reminiscent of the hunting plains on BBC nature programmes, and yet within the first day it was quite shocking to see rolling hills dotted with countless houses and smallholdings. A popular comparison would be describing the (frankly breathtaking) scenes as a “permanently sunny Wales”. I was overwhelmed at the friendliness and hospitality shown by everyone we met, right from stepping off the connecting flight. There was a real sense of warmth and pleasure to see us; notably at the never-ending banquets of home-grown vegetables and fresh meat cooked on our behalf - which I invariably failed to do full justice to. Particular favourites included pineapple with slightly fewer air-miles than those at home, and pancake-esque chapatti, which perfectly accompanied any other dish.
At the school itself, sitting in on history and chemistry classes - which correspond to my own A-level choices - really highlighted to me the potential for a strong curriculum-based partnership. Although I was slightly bemused by a level of chemistry far beyond my own understanding, the history lesson taught me much about medieval city states of East Africa. It was fascinating to note the parallels between early development both in Europe and Africa; a movement dominated by trade and powerful families. Yet there, I’ve committed one of the biggest faux pas possible. Kenyans were constantly reminding us: “You are not in Africa, you are in Kenya.” At the meeting in Kisumu city, the British Council leader was stressing to somewhat disbelieving headteachers that many British people would believe Africa to be a separate country. Rather shamefaced I had to confirm this; whilst neglecting to tell them that I had been excited over travelling to “Africa”, rather than “Kenya”. Africa is such a massive continent, with such a diverse landscape, culture and climate, that assimilating it into a single word fails to do justice to this variety. At home, we do not claim to be “European,” but “British”. Some may even disassociate from this by declaring themselves English, Welsh or Scottish.
The same is true in Kenya. People feel their ties to their tribe very strongly; the area we stayed in was predominately Luo, with their separate language and way of life. Once we realised people would appreciate being greeted in their native tongue, with many not actually very familiar with the official Kenyan language of Swahili, the “Djambo” (Swahili hello) turned into “Amosi” (Luor hello). When we informed the students that the notion of a tribe is virtually non-existent in the UK, I think their amazement contrasted with our own surprise of how big a role the tribe plays in Kenya. I’d like to think that this left a lasting impression on both sides of the world.
This was something that probably underlines why the partnership is so important to me. We can develop aims and objectives to give the project a long-term sustainable future, but it is also important to make it work now. Travelling to Kenya was an absolute dream, albeit with a few too many sick-bags utilised on the flight. The people were so friendly and my knowledge of the country now immeasurably improved, that therefore other people I am able to talk to will also benefit from my trip. It would be brilliant to see Kenyan students in the UK in the near future, so they can hopefully receive a similar experience, and I can show them my home and country in the same way. I’m not saying the experience was perfect; but it far exceeded my expectations and made me realise that the world is one and the same. A global family of 7 billion people hold far more in common than separates them.
Liam Orton |
