Day 2 in Oloika

Today we had our second full day at the worksite. After a beautiful breakfast of eggs and bacon as we watched the sun rise, we did a quick energizer and headed out to the school. We completed the 15-minute walk through town, greeting everyone cheerfully as we went. We spent our morning with part of our group working on the next layer of the walls, and the rest tutoring younger students in math and science. Our morning work was interrupted by a short break for tea, coffee, and cookies, after which we returned to work again, fully caffeinated and re-energized. During the second part of the morning, Laurie, Thea and Varsha began a conversation with six Moran (Masai warriors). The Moran, who spoke impressive English, taught them a plethora of useful Masai words. They were enthusiastic in their instruction, and the lesson was very much enjoyed by their students.

During the hottest part of the day, we headed back to camp for lunch and a short break (shoutout to the delicious potato salad). We returned to the worksite in the afternoon, where it was considerably cooler and much more pleasant. We continued our progress, finishing the fourth layer and beginning the corners for the fifth. Following the afternoon session, we and the Rusinga students played a fun, mentally challenging game which seemed much harder after our long day of work, then had a discussion about leadership types and how to find balance in leadership between different personalities.

We finished the day with a delectable dinner of chicken curry and chapatis, and then circled up for check-in under the stars, where Shani shared his incredible life story. Born and raised as a traditional Masai, he has dedicated his life to preserving the Masai culture and empowering his people especially through education.

Learning about this culture has been a fascinating experience so far, and we can’t wait for the rest of the trip!

Love,

Varsha and Jessie