A Kenyan Field Trip

Summer Field Education Reflection 2009: A Kenyan Field Trip

Tuesday morning we arose before the sun had blinked an eye, and set off for a ferry to carry us across Lake Victoria. I should first clarify the “we” of which I am speaking. The group adventuring on this fine Tuesday morning was comprised of nine youth and their pen-pals from the secondary schools that the UMOJA project supports. Also along for the journey were a few scraggly interns (myself included), and some chaperones.

After taking the ferry we reached an island in the middle of Lake Victoria, and our first stop on the island was the ICIPE (International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology) compound. One of the researchers at the compound took us for a tour and taught us about their new plant “technology.” Aren’t plants the first things that come to mind when you hear the word technology?

The researcher proceeded to tell us about the “push-pull” strategy of farming. Using this strategy the farmers plant Napier grass around the edge of the maize field to attract (pull) the weeds (striga) and insects (stemborers) out and they plant desmodium in among the maize to repell (push) the insects out. The desmodium plant also deposits nitrogen into the ground thus re-fertilizing the soil. This seminar was designed to be a fun way for the students to learn applicable science. Steven, one of the students from the UMOJA project, was enjoying this opportunity to learn so much that tears filled his eyes when it was time to leave. He did not know our learning would continue as we would journey in a boa to see the rock art that the students had already learned about in their form 2 (sophomore) history class.

Steven is truly an amazing you person. Before the UMOJA project began sponsoring his school fees, he was working, pulling weeds, to try to raise money for secondary school (high school). He was not able to raise the funds, but fortunately someone told Joseph, the director of the project in Kenya, about this hardworking student. Both of Steven’s parents died when he was younger, and he lives with his grandmother. Everyday when he gets home from school, around 5:00pm or 6:00pm, he helps take care of his grandmother and tends to household chores. At 10:00pm he goes to bed, and at 2:00am he wakes up to begin his studies. He leaves for school around 5:00am to start the routine all over again. Steven’s hard work is paying off, because he is in the top of his class. When it came time to buy his school uniform he thanked the people from UMOJA for paying his school fees, and told them he could use the money he had earned and saved to buy his school uniform.

Steven’s desire to learn has reminded me what a privilege it is to be in school. This year one of my professors would often remind our class that it was a privilege to be studyi8ng in Divinity School. I trusted and headed these words, but this summer they have really come to life in Steven’s story. Experience is an invaluable teacher. That is why I am here in Kenya this summer, and that is why we went on a field trip with the students from the UMOJA project.