Trippin’ with Tracey: Kenya – The Decision
(Sunset in Kenya – Masai Mara by eir@si)
Hey Ladies! Tracey here!
So I’m taking a break from the usual music articles to tell you all some really exciting news! I’m going to Kenya! Yep, you heard me, Kenya!
My school recently told us that there was going to be a chance for a limited number of students to fly to Kenya at the end of May for roughly 2 weeks! So, I just turned 16 (on Monday to be precise), and I said why miss out on this opportunity?
Basically, what happened is all the students who wished to go were asked to attend a meeting with their parents to talk about the whole thing. We were told that going to Kenya was going to be a tough experience, but also a life-changing one. After the talk, some girls had second thoughts and ended up pulling out. A few days later, interviews were organised for the students who still wished to go. I think there were 16 in total at this point!
So my interview was at 10:30a.m. Someone came to get me during math class! No complaints there!! It was a short enough interview and the people were lovely. I found it hard to be nervous around them, which was a good thing I guess! I came back to maths hoping that they liked me and waited to hear the final cut! 
The next day in school, after our morning assembly, the girls who had interviews were asked to stay back. This is when the nerves started to kick in! The principal and two other teachers came to talk to us and called out the names. I was the fourth name called!! I was so shocked. Me, Tracey, a 16 year old girl living in Ireland, out in Africa for 2 weeks! My first thought was…YAY!!
So the final 8 were picked. I was really happy with the people who were chosen – they’re all great friends!
The next few months will be all about preparing now! We need to raise a hell load of money and have frequent meetings to keep everyone updated. It will be dangerous out there, I know that. We’re not staying in a luxury hotel for 2 weeks! No, we’re staying in a boarding school, a few hours drive form Nairobi airport. We won’t have top class food or access to all the water we want. We’ll be eating what the school children eat and will have to spare the water as best we can!
In the map, the big black circle is the area I’ll be in (traveling, airport, etc.), and the smaller circle is where I will be staying!
The point of this trip is to basically go into a less wealthy part of the country, where education is hard to get and life can be tough, to help out. We’re getting the chance to go and meet people of a different culture, live with them for 2 weeks, learn new things from them, teach them new things, see their country, live very simply, and experience life in Kenya!
So preparations have already gotten underway and the excitement is building! I know it’s a while away yet, but I’m so grateful for getting this opportunity!
Talk to you girls again soon!
xoxo,
Tracey
You’ll see, all the preparation and hardwork(learning languages, raising money,etc.) is so worth it. Even if it’s just 2 weeks, it definitely changes the way you perceive the world and your life in general in a good way;) Since my trip, I so much more appreciate what I have, my education (maybe you”ll like your math classes!:O hehe), family, opportunities, etc.
16! 
shira19
December 14, 2009Kenyan’s are amazing people, and it is such an amazing chance for you to get to experience a different culture and place. I’m from the US but I spent a year in the Czech Republic and it was probably the most wonderful experience of my life. You learn so much more about yourself and the assumptions you make about the world. It’s as if your whole life you’ve been living in a room and all of a sudden you notice there is a window and a door to go through and there is so much more to see on the other side. Can’t wait to hear about your experience! I hope you share with us when you get back!