The Urdd's Sports andthe Urdd’s Community departments visited Kenya once again this year, working in partnership with the 'Moving the Goalposts’ charity. The charity inspires and educates girls through playing football in their communities. Two of the Urdd’s apprentices travelled to Kenya during August and here is a glimpse into the experiences of Mali and Eleri.
What were your first impressions when you landed in Kenya?
Mali:- My first impression when I landed in Kenya was that everyone was so welcoming, and when we left the airport the community officer was waiting to welcome us. She was so excited about us getting there and made sure we all felt welcomed. At the start of the week I was excited, but I didn'tknow quite what to expect.
Eleri:- When I landed in Kenya, my first impression was how hot it was, and how nice the people of the community were.
What was the purpose of the trip?
Mali:- The purpose of the trip was to teach sports skills to the children of Kilifi in Kenya, and to engage with young people, as well as to share and exchange ideas.
Eleri:- The purpose of the trip was to teach new sports to girls in Kenya, to teach them a variety of skills, including CV writing, sharing information on how approach an interview, communication skills and much more.
Did you enjoy being part of the journey? What was your highlight?
Mali:- Yes, I loved being a part of this journey and I had an unforgettable experience. It's hard to pick out a highlight, because the whole trip was amazing, but teaching new skills and sports to the Kenyan children was my favourite part of the trip, seeing them smiling and laughing daily made the trip worthwhile.
Eleri:- I had so much fun on the trip, learning about different communities in Kenya and the different religions that exist in the different areas of the country. The highlight of the trip for me was teaching a group of girls how to communicate through sign language, and thehappiness on their faces being able to communicate their names through sign language.
What have you learned about yourself during this journey?
Mali:- I learned a lot about myself during the trip. While spending time with the children in Kenya, I learned about my abilities to adapt. Seeing their enthusiasm for sports, even though they didn't have much, made me appreciate the things I often take for granted. It surprised me how easily happiness can come from simple things, like a game of football. The experience also made me appreciate my communication skills. Overcoming language barriers to connect with the children taught me the importance of non-verbal communication and patience. Seeing the impact that the sports sessions had on the confidence and team skills of the children was incredibly rewarding. I proved to myself that I have the ability to inspire others.
Eleri:- I learned that I was able to work in many different environments, and how confident I am when faced with challenging situations.
How has being an apprentice for the last year been for you?
Mali:- Working as an apprentice for the last year has been extremely valuable and rewarding, and I've had a lot of great new experiences andopportunities. During the last year, I've forged new relationships with my colleagues, as well as with the children in the schools. I've enjoyed being a Level 2 apprentice and have learnt many new skills that will help me in the future.
Eleri:- Being an apprentice during this year really has been an amazing experience, from building relationships with colleagues and people in the community, as well as visiting Slovakia and Kenya, which were incredibly beneficial experiences.