Snorkelling with the ASSETS students !

Today is the second day of our camp, and this morning, after a time of praise and worship and breakfast, we all headed to the sea to go snorkelling! For many it was the first time in deep water, so we used life jackets and life rings. The students weren't really decided at first and preferred just looking through the glass floor of the boat, but after an A Rocha volunteer got pushed in the water, and a couple of other volunteers joined in the water too, the first few jumped in the rings and tried it out.

Eventually nearly everyone took turns in going in and trying out masks to see the fishes and coral. We even had a boat of tourist next to us through bread in the water, so the fish literally swarmed around us, which impressed more than one. The students really enjoyed seeing big and coloured fishes, and encouraged each other to go in.

On the way back we stopped in more shallow water to play about without rings or life jackets. There the students were much more confident and had a lot of fun! So overall a great experience for everyone, students as well as volunteers!

ASSETS first camp - first day

Our first or the two ASSETS camps organised in August has started yesterday! This camp is designed for first year beneficiaries of our bursary scheme, so for most of them it's their first time in Mwamba, and for some even the first time to see the sea! They have come from all around the ASF, so many had long journeys to get here. This three day long camp is packed with activities, visits, good meals games and talks, from 6 in the morning until 10 in the evening! Yesterday morning the students were shown round the site and the nature trail by our ASSETS volunteer Kirau, and listened to a couple of talks in the afternoon (on education and discipline, and on career choices and personality assessment). After that, we all went down to the beach to enjoy a well-deserved game of football, which was appreciated by everyone (girls included!). It ended on a score of 2-2, so the game will continue later today...!

Braced for Summer camps

August is here with us again! 136 ASSETS beneficiaries are just about to sit for their end of term examinations in over 40 different secondary schools. With over 1.2 million shillings paid out as bursaries for the students, the ASSETS account is left wanting, needing Ksh. 148,000 to bring another group of 40 students to the August camp.

For the last five years, this exercise has aided over 200 students to spend three days at Mwamba Field Study Centre and get hands on experience in the conservation work going on. During these events, students have a chance to visit the famous Watamu Coral Gardens, the Gede Ruins and the Mida Creek. This experience always leaves a lasting memory in the students and they always talk about it. To some, this is often their first time to see the ocean despite living less than 100 km away.

Discussion on HIV AIDS and drugs forms a key part of the camp. This challenges the students on important choices they are required to make in life. The three days learning programme is spiced up with many games and quizzes for ease of learning.

We are grateful for a donation of £ 440 that we have so far received for this activity. This is enough to cover the costs for 15 students attending the camp. We are currently looking for sponsorship for the other 25 students at a cost of US$ 50 per student.

Feedback from ASSETS Camp Participants

As you have seen on previous posts, we were privileged to host 18 ASSETS students last weekend for ASSETS Camp. At the end of the weekend, the students were asked to write down any feedback/comments they had about the camp and all that they got to experience. Here are some excerpts from their notes:“all the trips helped me to learn a lot of things which I didn’t know before” “At first I was afraid of swimming but because of the life jackets I found it easy to swim.” “Although I was afraid of snakes before I was impressed by the visit to the Bio-Ken Snake Farm from where I learned that there are some snakes that are not poisonous” “I would also like to thank this organization and how they help the children from poverty-stricken families” “In Mida Creek I got to know some of the different types of mangroves and what they do for the ecosystem.” “I appreciate the warm welcome you gave us, the meals and accommodation” “I have learned very important things, that actually if I am to tell one by one I may end up taking the whole day” “I wish the camp could take about two weeks so that I could continue enjoying myself” “I enjoyed all the lessons that you had for us” “Let the cooks be blessed and GOD KEEP THEM FOR A LONG TIME!” (There were many happy comments about the food, obviously meals were a highlight!) The students seem to have really enjoyed all the out trips, learning sessions, meals and games that they got to play while they stayed here at Mwamba Field Study Center, which makes it all very worthwhile for all the staff and volunteers who participated.

A big thank you goes to Stanley, Festus, and Bimbo, who put in a lot of time preparing. They are hard at work now preparing for our second ASSETS Camp, which takes place from August 27-29. Keep us in your prayers as we hope to provide a wonderful experience for this group coming in!