Oscar Wilde famously stated that ‘the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.’ I had been intending to head over to Kenya and volunteer with the Evie Grace Foundation ever since Maddi mentioned it to me years ago, last November I finally got around to making the trip, and my expectations were greatly exceeded.
I was swept away from the airport and down to the town of Ngong where I had a nice big room in the ‘volunteer house’, equipped with my own bathroom and even a natural alarm clock, the rooster next door. The majority of my time was spent with the boys from the Global Hope Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, where I met some of the most wonderful people you could ever want to meet. I was able to build relationships with many of the amazing boys who reside there, and hearing stories of the boy’s previous hardships was a very humbling experience which made me far more appreciative of the life I am able to live here in Australia. It opened my eyes to the reality these boys face, where every day is a struggle and nothing comes easy; where items such as mattresses & pillows, shoes and balls are not simply the click of one’s finger away. Despite their situation, the boys remain optimistic and positive, which is something I and a lot of people I know could take notice of.
The days spent at the Centre consisted of practicing soccer and basketball, plenty of card games, and dancing…at all of which the boys were far superior than I. It was rewarding and enjoyable assisting Maddi with fundraising events and then seeing the enjoyment everyone got out of them. One of the most enjoyable moments from my time in Kenya would be helping out and spectating the boys’ soccer team play matches, and while I am no talent scout, I think there might be a soccer gold mine down in Ngong with the talent some of those boys have.
Another aspect of the volunteer program that I enjoyed was attending rural visits, which allowed me to see parts of Kenya I would have never thought of or been able to travel to alone. Not always the most glamourous of trips, but none the less I walked away from them with a greater understanding of Kenyan culture and a greater sense of reverence. Additionally, I planned out and taught sexual development classes for the boys, as well as touching on human rights, which prompted plenty of interesting questions, and I was glad to shed some light on such topics.
Maddi and I also worked with the Edmund Rice Advocacy Network (ERAN) in an anti-drug rally/march, which was a fun, tiring and successful day which involved marching through the streets raising awareness, cooking up the food to feed the hundred odd boys and girls in attendance, and then writing up a summary for the newsletter.
I was also able to experience a lot more than volunteering, Maddi treated me to a trip to Mombasa which was great fun. It was nice to get a few days to just relax at the beach, sip a few cocktails and work on my tan; although beware, the Mombasa sun is seriously hot. I petted and fed giraffes at the Sheldrick Wildlife Centre, visited the markets in Nairobi, tested out the nightlife, and even experienced a little bit of what life is like in the slums of Kenya. The whole package.
Additionally, my birthday fell on one of my first days in Kenya, and I will always remember spending my birthday at the Centre, which was spent in hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable fashion. Ending with me drenched in water, covered in cake, trying to dance with a bunch of people I had never met, to a song I had never heard. I also attended the Kenya v Togo soccer match and was taken to the rooms to meet and chat with the Kenyan players after the game, which capped off a pretty crazy birthday weekend.
The work of Maddi and the whole foundation amazed me as they strive to help those in the direst of need, those who society has forgotten about. My time spent with the Evie Grace Foundation will stay with me for the rest of my life, I met wonderful people, saw stunning scenery, and experienced the most unique culture imaginable. It is a trip that will most certainly force you out of your comfort zone, change the way you view things, and stay in your heart for many years to come. I would highly recommend the Evie Grace Volunteer program to anyone looking for an opportunity to make a real tangible difference in the lives of others, while also experiencing the best of what Kenya has to offer.
Written by: Zachariah Stankiewicz
