Blog post for Faraja Center Kenya
American University Students Visit Faraja
By Peter GaramaBaya
An enthusiastic group of students from North Dakota State University visited the Faraja Centre this April.
Oinga falls
My brother Eliud and I picked up the students from the Chogoria Hospital guesthouse on Saturday morning of April 14 for a trip to the beautiful waterfall known as Oinga Falls by the locals.
We walked all the way to the Falls despite the muddy roads. The previous night it had rained cats and dogs!The students were so adventurous and eager to see the Falls!
On the way the students saw banana trees, coffee and tea plantations, sugarcanes, pineapples plantations, bamboo trees and pawpaw trees.
They marvelled at seeing all these tropical plants for the first time in their lives since it was the first time for them to visit Kenya.
We showed them termite traps that the locals use during the rainy season to trap the insects and sell in the markets. This is a highly appreciated delicacy in this part of Kenya.
Molly Sharon and Eliud at the falls
On reaching our destination we found the Falls gushing with water to the fullest as a result of the rains. The students took loads of pictures.
Unfortunately the rains began and cut our visit short so we walked back to the guesthouse with the rain pouring on us, and the locals staring and laughingat our bedraggled group!
On our way back from the Falls
But the students didn’t care about getting wet! They enjoyed every bit of being rained on. We even joked that we wouldn’t shower that day since we had already had a long, cold shower from the rains!
We arrived at the guesthouse and the students quickly changed into dry clothes and we headed to the Faraja Community Centreon the outskirts of Chogoria town.
This time we used a van owned by the Centre founders, Millicent and Garama. We did two trips since the van could only manage a capacity of 10 people.
At the centre we were warmly welcomed by Millicent and the students had the pleasure of interacting with the children.
We played ball games, crayoned pictures and sang songs with the excited kids.
Afterwards we shared a simple meal with the kids who were really happy to have so many visitors from America come to see them.
Millicent informed the visitors about Faraja’s work in the community and in villages throughout Tharaka-Nithicounty.
The students bought many colourful fabric bags crafted at the Centre and made generous donations towards helping the children in need.
Most of the energetic young students preferred walking back to the guesthouse rather than riding using the van.
Eliud drove the smaller group and I walked with the other group.
This annual programwith the North Dakota State University is organised by Molly Secor and her Sharon Secor, long time friends to the Garama family and the Faraja Community Centre.
Every year a different group visits with goodies for the kids. The Faraja Centre really appreciates their efforts, support and time to bring a smile to the children. Asante sana.
Peter with one of the students at the Falls
At Faraja Center singing with the kids
Students buying bags made at Faraja