November 2011
Take the time...

When I arrived in Africa in October 2009 I never thought for an instant that I would have such a moving adventure.
My desire to carry out some type of humanitarian action in Kenya began in Calcutta in July 2009. I stayed there for three weeks as a volunteer with the Sisters of Mother Theresa. This experience profoundly affected me and confirmed my resolve to help those people who are fighting just to survive.
On looking over the tourist guide for Kenya I decided to go to the island of Mfangano situated on Lake Victoria. This guide invited us to discover this island and its warmhearted population. Stepping off the boat, I went over to a man sitting and reading his newspaper, and asked him where there was a hotel. He was sitting in front of the sign saying 'lodge' lol. He accompanied us as far as this 'lodge' which in fact was made up of some very basic rooms. But we (my parents and me) agreed to stay nonetheless.
This man was called TOM and he is a teacher. The day after our arrival he showed us around the island and the school where he taught. In each class the smiling pupils gave us a great welcome with a song! How moving it was! And I noticed that there was a great deal that could be done to help them.
When I next visited the school of Sena (where Tom was himself a student) in order to decide, with the headmaster, the needs of the students and of the school, the children were in recreation. This unexpected visit of course did not escape their attention!
It is difficult to keep the project secret in an office with openings instead of windows. When I left along the dirt track, a child hid behind some shrubs and cried out 'thank you'!! The voice of the boy, that I had not seen, resonated again in my head. I leave you to imagine the energy that filled me at this instant and gave me the determination to help to gather the funds necessary to realise the subsequent aid effort. This is an energy that I keep always in me and which gives me the desire to create this association.
Each step I take with Karibu Reve brings me a lot. Regularly, I meet or collaborate with people who want to give their time or to share their ideas, their skills or their support by the donations and the words of encouragement. Sometimes the people are surprised to see me sacrifice (according to them) so much time and energy for the association. I hear sometimes 'you must think of yourself'. I reply often with an amused air a saying I have heard:
"Take the time to give is taking the time to receive".
Then if you allow me to give you a little advice: take the time!!

Anne BARON