The First 24 Hours in Kenya with Intel for Change

Not even 24 hours into my Intel for Change journey to Kenya, and I have learned so many lessons that will forever shape me, inspire me, and encourage me to continue my work in empowering young women to get an education.

Our first stop of the day was to the FAWE organization where we met the incredible program officer, Martha. Martha oozed goodness, and it was evident that she was determined to do anything she could to help girls have the opportunity to go to school, get an education, and become leaders in their community. FAWE programs are implemented in 33 countries in Africa and are very tuned in to the cultural differences, social issues, and barriers that exist within the different tribes. This was something that I had not thought about until now.

FAWE attacks the issue, defines a solution, and infiltrates programs to assist problems like early child marriage, gender discrimination, and economic struggle. Listening to Martha speak was the perfect way to begin our mission. She taught us about female education and helped us understand ways in which we can help.

After we left Martha, our team made its way to the airport to board a 20-seat plane headed for the Masai Mara. Somehow we landed on a strip of grass in the middle of the Masai Mara in the middle of nowhere and set off to the incredible Bogani Village.

Upon our arrival we met our fantastic guides Katie and Masai Warrior Jackson who will be with us for the rest of the trip. Katie and Jackson brought us to our first school in the Masai Village, Eneleri School. Could you imagine walking hours to get to school with only a cup of tea for breakfast then sitting in a classroom with a small desk that squeezes five girls onto a bench on a floor of mud or dry sad? These girls face conditions like this in order to get an education. But, thanks to the Free the Children and Me to We foundations, Eneleri School has been completely renovated. Now it is beautiful with fully functioning classrooms. There are chalkboards, enclosed walls, and single person desks. The girls at Eneleri are beyond thankful. They’re overjoyed and determined to do well in school. As we finished our tour of the school the students trickled onto the big grass courtyard and began to sing for us. Now my cheeks hurt because I was smiling so big!