Operation Smile - Bazaar at Rosslyn!

$210 RAISED THROUGH THE BAZAAR! Even though I could not attend this event, hearing that the club is earning some good deal of money is quite encouraging not only for the group, but the whole community. This is because we are actually raising awareness of this club throughout the kenyan community. One day, I hope that this operation smile club can be recognized by everyone and that one good, healthy smile can change someone's life. Also, I've heard that this club is registered for the 2013 AISA award... so if we do get this award, there would be a higher chance that we can raise attention in our school so that many more people could be part of us. ALL IS WELL!

If you are interested in helping out kids suffering from cleft lips there is a youtube link that may give you an idea of what operation smile does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNewZ_nxrvo

Habitat For Humanity - Second trip to Morningstar School

Painting! Painting!  AND Painting! The fumes of the paint was killing me. But this new experience was toooo special that I will remember forever! This trip was special from the beginning when we started moving from school. When we entered Kangemi(one of the top five biggest slums in Kenya), all the people around were wondering why we came. They stared at the group of foreigners but I was totally confortable with these people because I had no doubt that these people will harm us. As we entered the inside of the town, kids came out to welcome us. Even though all they said was "HOW ARE YOU?" or "CHINESE?" I responded to them a bit awkwardly by saying "I AM NOT CHINESE. I'M KOREAN." Im not too sure if they understood what I was trying to say, but I was grateful that they came and approached me.

This was my second time in four months, visiting Morningstar school. When I entered the gate of the school, I saw the work that we had accomplished before. Even though our group was small (less than 10 people), we had great engagement and effort that it was easier for me to work hard and paint neater! Our group was probably one of the best because we worked so so hard. Team work was really efficient and no one complained about the work we had to do, nor did things that would annoy us. We managed to make so much that I was actually really proud that I was part of the group. Painting the school was extremely tiring but in general, it was SO MUCH FUN. I really loved this trip.. JUST SIMPLY AMAZING! I got paint everywhere in my clothes, shoes, hat and mostly on my hands, but I didnt really care because the painting itself was really fun. I hope to come visit next year again. Since this is my last trip of the year for Habitat, I am fully engaged in joing next year again for my third year!

 

GIN - Composting Project: Save the environment!

On April 18th, Alison Kahumbura came and talk to us about COMPOSTING(getting food waste to recyle as fertilizers or soil amendment) as well as the elementary kids present their composting project ongoing in campus (it was really adorable :P). The project sounds amazing so we are planning on doing this project, therefore, Alison will be leading us for this project, providing us with ideas :) She wanted us to consider a few questions and plan on a few things before we meet again.

1) Will this be a school activity or a club activity?

2) How many people should we involve?
3) How long should we maintain this project?
4) What do you want to do with the compost? Should we place in the field or garden?
5) For the action plan what should we do?
6) What do we want to achieve through this project?

GIN - One day without Shoes!!

After days of promotion of our GIN club's annual one day without shoes, today was the day. However, it was not that successful. Since morning, it started raining, and I thought people we're as devoted enough to come to school without shoes for various reasons. Firstly, people were not aware of this event, and people were afraid to step up and take off their shoes. As an international community, I think we should be more involved with these events, but its not as easy as it looks. That one step action of taking off the shoes is probably the most challenging step. It was quite disappointing because people who knew also came to school with shoes. People should act not selfish but for the community. This experience was for us to be in the shoes of the poor people who are suffering from no shoes. Our school is considered as the  school for "rich" people, and we live in satisfactory in life, therefore, it is hard to imagine how people live through these conditions.

For more information: http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

Golf Practice at Windsor!

 Golf is such a frustrating sport because everything depends on your emotions, conditions on that particular day, and it also depends on how well you concentrate or position your body. There are so many factors that affect how far your ball flies.

Sometimes, there are moments when you are getting it, but then, all of a sudden, you find yourself digging the ground or missing the target. Whenever I play golf, I try to think to myself what I have to do, in order to get a nice shot. This helps me train my concentration level and enhances my ability to control my body and thoughts.

Jazz Band - Art Exhibition!

We had the jazz band performance outside the MPR at 7:25pm. We played  Jungle Boogie, Sothern Charm, Proud Mary and Jazz Me Blues, Catching the Sun. This experience was unique to me because before our performance, we had Afircan dancers come and perform their traditional dance.. I'm not sure what dance it was but I have to say, it was really interesting and I felt the African soul inside me! Our performance overall was not that great, but we did better than I had expected. I think our club members are better at the moment of our concert, but not at practice. We should be aware of this problem and try harder. I messed up a lot but it was really nice performing with the group! I really liked the songs we're practicing!