Thanks Louisa for this brilliant shot of the team at the summit.
Having all reached the summit of Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro, Louisa, Steph, Katie, Niroj, Paul and Joanna are all now back in the UK. Their leader Richard managed to take time out from his beach work on the blissful island paradise of Lamu to send us these snaps of the climb...
The team, discovering the joys of African rain.
Read more...Some final words from some of this year's Kenya Summer Team, now relaxing at home...
From seeing Giraffe (Giraffes?) at the start of an excitement filled bus journey on the first day, to singing, dancing and working with Kamba communities to construct 4 whole Sanddams, and finally spending a fantastic last few days with the team camping in the wilderness and exploring Nairobi ... its been an EPIC trip. We've all become a close knit Teamo Wazimu and it will be sad to say goodbye. Many happy memories though, enda nessa! - Stu (Mutunga)
What an experience! I've had an amazing time in Kenya: working hard on site and learning new skills, speaking Kikamba and seeing African life from the "inside". It has been wonderful working with such fabulous people and making new friends. Without such hard work from everyone we'd never have broken the record and helped construct FOUR dams. My high was definitely playing with, and working alongside, the children. Wish it wouldn't end. - Heather (Mbinya)
After the most amazing 5 weeks it's going to be so sad to leave Kenya! There have been so many exciting experiences - dancing on the dam sites, singing on the bus and meeting the loveliest people, on the team and the locals that we have been working with. It's been hard work, but worth every second to see what we have achieved and with lots of happy memories. Go Questy Team 2011! - Elin (Kamene)
Our time in Kenya has been an amazing experience and we will all take many memories with us; from homestays with local families to mixing 238 cement bags in a day. There have been challenges along the way including language barriers and acclimatising to the pace of work, but everyone has worked well as a team and we will all be sad to leave each other. The realisation of how our work has helped with water security around Mtitto was a big high, especially seeing the children contributing to the work for their futures. Ni muvea muno - Claire (Mumbua)
Kenya has been the experience of a lifetime going far beyond any expectations. The work was constant and challenging but the atmosphere was a catalyst for persevering. The Quest leaders, team and kikamba people have been amazing, I am going home with great friendships and memories at heart. It has been a blessing to be able to help four communities within Mtito Andei, ensuring a sustainable supply of water. Nesa Nesa Nesa - (Grace Bithai)
A fantastic experience that won't be forgotten. Like everrr - Simeon (Mutinda)
We gave a dam... NO, we gave 4 dams!! Who knew that we would be able to change the lives of 4 communities in just 4 weeks? But we managed it and all thanks to all the people involved; the team, the leaders, ASDF and the local communities. We were welcomed into each community whole-heartedly, given Kikamba names, helped with our Kamba and welcomed into their homes during the home-stays. There is no better experience one can expect to have! It has changed my life but more importantly, it has changed the lives and blessed the communities with water security, especially those children who were helping us at the site. Casi Ondolai! - Radha (Kanini)
Coming to Kenya this summer was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was able to make a difference and improve water security and make a group of new friends who I was able to share this experience with. The whole trip was absolutely fantastic with our evening at Carnivore providing the perfect ending to the trip - despite eating Ox testicles. Huge thanks to Quest for putting the trip on and to our team leaders for making the trip as good as it's been - I've had the time of my life (so far) - Hamish (Kioko)
I've come to think of Kenya as a second home this past month. The welcome the team was given by the African Sand Dam Foundation and the local communities we worked with was incredible. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside such a fantastic team and I hope that the work we have completed will have a profound impact on improving the water security in the Kamba area. I feel like I now have a slight understanding of the difficulty those face without easy access to water. The inspiration I have gained from those working to combat this issue will remain with me and trust that the experience I have gained will help me to appreciate how important a resource water is and how lucky I am to have it on tap at home. - Paul (Mbatha)
I love Kenya. Kenya changed my life. - Peter Chong
Following their hard work on the Tanzania and Kenya projects, six intrepid volunteers and their leader Richard are working their way up Kilimanjaro, the world's highest free-standing peak. Needless to say, internet blogging is neither particularly easy nor at the forefront of the team's minds, but we have had a progress update using the wonders of modern technology...
On Sunday, the guys set off for a 4-5 hour walk up to the Machame Huts for the first camp at just over 3000 metres and made it without a hitch. Taking things pole pole ('slowly' in Kiswahili) is the only option; not only for stamina, but also to allow everyone to acclimatise to the altitude bit by bit.
Our latest update from Richard is that the team have reached the Shira Caves (above) at 3600m, and are having a short break before carrying on to the New Shira Camp, where they will stay tonight, at 3847m. The first two days' ascent, although challenging enough, will help to set the guys up for Days 3, 4 & 5 when they will find themselves pushed much harder, but for much greater reward as they strive for the summit!
Watch this space for further updates...
Challenge yourself with a combined Volunteering Project and Kilimanjaro climb!
Monday. A new day, a new week, and a new dam site to work on. The site at Nzyee was a dam improvement, not a 'dam-from-scratch' scenario; but that did not mean it would be a small task. The dam required heightening, widening and thickening to improve its effectiveness for the local community. It took a bit of time to adjust to the new faces at the site and the different methods that came with them, but it was also the fallout from two days of lounging about that caused our progress to stutter at first - we needed to get back in the flow or see our schedule fly out the window.
Later on in the week, we all became more proficient on the dam site with our effort and productivity increasing each day, despite several run-ins with irritable and perhaps confused fundis and 'dragon-ladies'. We had a pile of cement ready to roll that then had to be rescued after the intervention of the broad-grinned fundi; also, our assistant team leader was left fuming after having a wheelbarrow of sand emptied on the ground in front of her moments after filling it, and then being ordered to "Fill It."
Read more...Relax and enjoy the view" were the wisw words of advice from our team leader as we drove away from the airport. Instantly several giraffes appear about 50 yards away from the road, and the sights didn't cease to amaze for the rest of the journey - they still haven't. From baboons scampering along the roadside to piles of cement bags numbering over 800, every step along the way has contained twists, turns and laughs.
With the work as hard as it is, team spirit [and great leaders]] has been a key factor since day one, when we had to pull and push as a unit to free the minibus from the sand behind a dam we were visiting. Jokes, puns and some "incredible" plays on words are being shared to maintain the positive mood and get everyone motivated; "Let's go cemental!" being a memorable one.
