Hakuna Matata!

A word often used in Kenya is “Hakuna Matata,” meaning ‘there is no problem’ or ‘no worries.’ As our journey begins, I have a feeling this is a phrase we will refer to over and over…

After 22 hours of traveling, including 18 hours in the air, the student team and I and many other volunteers arrived in Kenya!  Travels went abnormally well, with no delays, no missed flights, and no lost luggage. Hakuna MatataJ

It felt so good to finally arrive, bringing full realization to the journey we were about to embark on.

Many volunteers had arrived by the time we did, and we all stayed the night in a hotel in Nairobi, welcoming the chance to rest and get some sleep in a bed.  Not only was the travel somewhat exhausting, but had you seen our luggage, you would know that carting it around brought twice the exhaustion.  Most all of us packed light when it came to our own essential needs, but packed heavy with donations, donations, more donations and special gifts, all to leave behind with the patients, families, and new friends we meet along the way. Multiple suitcases were packed completely full of donations, some 50 pounds or more. 

There was no way we would all fit in two vans with our luggage too. So our coordinator decided to call for a third van, so we could get from the airport to the hotel in one trip, two vans for people and one van completely full with luggage.  When I say full, I mean FULL - from the seats to the roof. Hakuna MatataJ

We have not met the entire team yet, but already there is a sense of family and teamwork amongst all.  There is diversity but also unity: different backgrounds, different cultures, different countries, but all together as a team for one cause: to change lives, one smile at a time! Medical and non-medical volunteers have come from all over (Australia, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States – CA, FL, IL, MS, NM, NY, OH, UT, and VA).  There are approximately 27 volunteers from Kenya alone, with 62 volunteers total, but together 1 team!  Hakuna MatataJ

After a cold shower, one so cold that I forfeited washing my hair, and a good night’s sleep, we had a wonderful breakfast before boarding the buses to head to Nakuru, the site where new smiles would soon be created.  The next two and a half to three hours would be spent on the highway. 

Luckily, the road had been paved, which wasn’t the case not long ago.  However, our bus trip took longer than expected due to a flat tire.  Once the driver realized the tire blew out, we slowly pulled off the road.  There were not people, buildings or towns nearby, so we all got off the bus, sat in the grassy field next to the road and took time to sit and relax, taking in the scenery, the green brush, and the big blue sky.  The tire was removed and the spare replaced in no time. Hakuna MatataJ

Throughout the ride, I sat back taking it all in, in awe of this new experience, new country, new culture, and acknowledging and appreciating the similarities and differences.  We passed homes, stores, markets, and many people working or carrying out their daily ways of life: Some out in fields farming the land by hand, some working on landscaping, others selling fruits, vegetables and peanuts on the side of the road...  There were stands where animal skins were hanging out to dry and for sale. There were many vibrant colors, bringing buildings, homes, and schools to life. There was a scenic stop along the way, where we were able to get photos of the start of the Rift Valley and three mountains nearby. Kenya is a beautiful country and so are its people.

Now that we’ve made it to Nakuru, our destination for the next ten days, we’ve had the afternoon to settle in, grab lunch, and prepare ourselves for the busy days ahead that will consume our every ounce of energy, and we will joyfully give of it.  I am confident that this amazing team of volunteers from all over will make it through this medical mission with ease!

All we have to do is remember these two words – Hakuna MatataJ