ISSEA Pictures

One of my favorite pictures. Taken after we secured our 3rd Place in the tournament. GO LIONS!

We had such great sprit. ROAR!

ISSEA Volleyball 2012: Entebbe/Kampala

I have been a part of the ISSEA Volleyball team since I was in the 10th grade. Personally, I think it is the best thing that ISK has to offer. Not only do we get to learn about our geographical neighbors and their own unique culture, we get to make new friends and establish connections from almost all over the world. Participating in ISSEA also teaches you how to deal with extreme stress, how to pick yourself up after a mistake, and how to believe in yourself, even if everyone around you, may not be.

Our team was composed of a lot of new players, which had positive and negative repercussions. I remember my first ISSEA well, I was petrified. My hands shaking and knees wobbling at the net, I was a bit of a mess; but, all that goes away when you first touch the ball. That first hit, dig, serve, or set, whatever it may be, is like a sudden river of calm in your mind. You think to yourself "Oh right, I know how to play this." I was especially happy to see all of the friends I have made over my last 2 ISSEA's , from IST and ICS in particular. It was extremely emotional at the end, because ISSEA has been such a strong part of my high school experience, it coming to an end has only made me realize that soon, everything will be a memory.

I was/still am extremely proud of our team. We got in 3rd place, and although this is no improvement from last year, we played extremely well. Every team told us that we were their biggest competition, and the teams that beat us considered themselves to be lucky. When we noticed we were struggling, we picked ourselves back up, and we always supported each other. I think I am the most proud that every single one of us put 150% into the game when we were out there, we wanted to succeed for our coach, fellow players, and of course ourselves. We had so many moments of greatness, and of course moments of not so greatness, but at the end of the day, I am so happy. I was lucky enough to be picked as an all tournament player, a honor that I have always wanted to receive, and I am extremely touched my team and coach think of me as that kind of player. I had such a great time at ISSEA, I think I'm going to try out for ISSEA basketball; ISSEA should really be a week long, it went by so fast and it such an intense experience, 8 games in 3 days. ISSEA has made me a more cultured, stronger, and overall better player and person.

Kariobangi Pictures

Mama Sweetie Kariobangi Foundation: October 24 2012 Visit

Bio: 

My great grandmother, known in kikuyu as my "mito", lived her entire life in Kariobangi. Kariobangi is a small community on the outskirts of Nairobi, which, as many rural areas in Kenya, is plagued by lack of schools, medical facilities, and businesses. My mito spent her entire life protecting and inspiring everyone around her. She was a symbol of hope, love and happiness. When she passed on in 1997, she left her property to my mother. The property was left in the condition my mito left it in, until we moved back to Kenya 4 years ago in 2009. My mother and I thought the best thing to do with the property was to preserve it, and thus preserve my mito's legacy, preserve the love, hope and happiness she brought to the community. So we decided to open a school/day care for the children of the community, to protect, inspire and teach, just like my mito did. 

Towards the end of her life, my mito lost her sight. The neighborhood kids would all come together and help her with her shopping, cleaning and cooking; in return, she would give them pieces of candy, which back then was a pricey luxury. Because of this, she was known as Mama Sweetie. This made coming up with a name for our school easy. The Mama Sweetie Kariobangi Foundation has now become the jewel of Kariobangi, providing a safe place for not only the kids, but the adults in the community as well. 

Today's Visit: 

I always love visiting my Kariobangi kids; they are so full of life, it is a great pick me up. Lately I have been having a hard time being positive and happy within my own life, but these kids help bring out the positive in everyone, and every situation. Unfortunately I haven't seen the kids in a while; the change is inconceivable. There is one new girl, Clara, she is four years old and absolutely adorable. She has only been in the school for 2 weeks, but my mom told me that the teachers informed her that her english has improved so much. They have all grown up so much and are extremely healthy; they told me about all the healthy foods they have been eating, and how they have gotten 3 meals a day, which is an extreme improvement. We walked in just as the kids were coloring, which was very exciting because they welcomed me to join in; coloring is always fun, whether you are 7 or 17, so I definitely enjoyed myself. After that we had circle time, and we talked about the "pit" and "peak" of our days. I found this particularly sad, because most of the kids "pits" were their fathers coming home drunk and violent, their moms abandoning them, leaving them to fend for themselves, or even them not getting dinner. All of the kids come from horrifying and extremely difficult backgrounds, and they know way to much for children there tender age. Our goal is to get them as far away as possible from that, and to have them focus on school work and learning everyday, but sadly these horrifying things are still apart of their lives. 

We later played with the kids and they really enjoyed playing with my long braids. It brings me so much joy seeing how fascinated the girls are, and how much they enjoy, playing with my hair. After that we took them for a ride in our car, which they all said was the highlight of their day. 

The goal one day is to bring the kids to ISK and do something special for them there, so it is something I am planning on working on. 

Operation Smile Concert

Operation Smile/Composers Concert

One of the most rewarding things for me is being able to do something I love, while at the same time getting to help deserving kids.
I have always admired the composers club. From its start last year, I promised myself that my junior I would join. And I did! I have learnt so many things about music, and what it really means to be an artist. I love being in a group being surrounded by people who truly love to sing, rap or play their instrument. Being around this unique group of dedicated people has brought excitement and drive into my life. The music connects us, making composers club much more than just a club. When we do a number that we have all worked on, and it means something to us, and its successful, the moment is indescribable. I could live for that moment. Its not just the big moments, its the small ones as well. For example, when we go off on tangents and put our own spin on classics, enjoying each others talent.
We were fortunate enough to put on a concert for the Operation Smile Club, a club which helps raise money to pay for kids with clef lips to get surgery to improve their smiles. Johann Kasper Lavater once said that "There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity." Someones smile is a part of them, and just the chance to help these kids get a chance to be proud and confident in theirs means the world to me.
The bar was set high. Operation Smile was expecting to make a hefty profit from the event, and we were scrambling to try and get everything ready and done. The most influential song for me was Fix You, the anthem of the Operation Smile club. The songs powerful messages, and the way we set the blocking of the song communicated those messages. We all felt it when we came out and performed it.
The concert was a raging success, raising over 100,000KSH!

Grandmother's School: Having fun with a Camera :)