Adventure Alternative

Adventures/Africamp

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Comments from Africamp

I know intellectually that a lot of the worlds populations lives in poor conditions, in shanty towns, open sewers etc. Seeing the reality is a new experience for me, and an experience I won’t be forgetting.

"The whole approach to life here is slow. Deadlines do not exist. Things that need to happen, happen."

"Mike last to change pants; did well; lasted 5 days !"

"It’s amazing how quickly everyone has knuckled down and got on with the job of entertaining and helping the kids. Many of us were visibly traumatised initially by the conditions generally in Kenya and Kibera in particular...But all of this has now been accepted and everyone is getting on with the job in hand...everyone is doing a great job and all seem to be loving every minute of it."

"A trip to a shanty town...the huts seem to grow out of the mud. The alleys of the town are just spaces between the huts. A rabbit warren of life, business and organisation combined, with no particular sense of urgency. So many children sat in the tunnels between the huts just watching the mazungus ( white people ). At the schools we were treated like royalty.
We can walk away, go back to camp. Go back to England. But to live with it ? Does this way of living really fit into this century, it is like walking through a timewarp. Wow."

"This has been the most humbling experience of my life. I want to change my name when I go home because I think I am a different person."

"In the evening the bonfire burst into crackling flame and released wild life in kids and leaders alike – crazy, free leaping, dancing, singing round the fire – Christian songs, Kikuyu chants – a great privilege to be there, spontaneous, natural. "

"I find the kids discover a lot of dignity in knowing mazungus care and respect them."

"( Following a visit to an American evangelical preacher in the shanty town ): Our return journey was spiked with deep discussion and anger at the blatant exploitation of the innocent / vulnerable community."

"I is here in the Kenyaside checkin’ out the hip hop seen in the stalls of Kibera. They is always after me lucky charms ! Respek"

"Packed, repacked,;sod it, I’ll do it in the morning"

"Very emotional day, one that I personally have been dreading. Everyone busying themselves, cleaning up the campsites etc and delaying the moment when we shall finally have to say goodbye to these wonderful kids.
Emotions are very close to the surface, many of the mazungus are crying, others are desperately trying not to ( why do we always have to suppress emotions ?)"

"An emotional day, but the kids who have nothing are cheerful to the end – what is their future ? Drugs, glue sniffing, AIDS and an early death ? Or will the Programme rescue them as it has with so many of them ?"

"Close encounter with a large bull elephant on the way. Suddenly appears out of bamboo jungle between the leading group and the rest of the party... However we all survive."

"I’ve seen a real live elephant ! Some of the Guernsey girls saw it much clearer as it charged them and they adopted the ostrich pose – head down, bum up, close eyes !"

"Coldish night, sounds of wild animals in bushes overnight."

"Today was even tougher and the slog up the vertical bog tested many people’s resolve. But again, we all got through. As I slogged up I often asked myself “what am I doing this for ?” But  once I reached Mackinders Camp (14,200’) and I got my strength back, I knew why."

"Rest day – some people feeling tired and most have coughs and colds...much debate about which is the best dehydrated meal menu. Curried beans are causing problems in one tent. Hot cereal start not universally popular. "

"If we had chosen the ‘easy way’ we would have taken a routine safari to Kenya with any High Street Tour Operator, and probably experienced very little except for panoramic scenery. We have chosen a hard route and tomorrow will see the culmination of a lot of personal and team effort."

"Boy, what a climb in the dark ! Every one panted and cursed on the way up. “Is there no end to this climb ?” But the joy and euphoria on reaching the summit was unbounded. There was personal pride at having overcome adversity, but also a strengthened team spirit at having done it all together. We must all be stronger for having done this."

"Climbing makes your legs ache."

"When people feel as though they are part of a team and part of a dream they discover their potential and achieve even greater things."

"Pete manages to down the goats blood in one but makes Jason sick up in the hedge."

"It has been a relaxed and therpaeutic 4 days here at Malindi. I have got to know the Adventure Alternative leaders, they are so good with us, caring and authentic. What a privilege to be accepted by them."