On June 30, 1998 sixteen teenagers from around the United States met in New York for the first time. They were part of the Experiment in International Learning summer program and would be spending the next five weeks together in Kenya. This site is dedicated to them.
This was an amazing adventure of self-discovery, cultural learning, new adventures and friendships, as the pictures show. Arriving in Nairobi on July 1, the group began with a week-long orientation, attending cultural, political and historical lessons. They also learned Swahili, the national language of Kenya. The first couple of days were spent in Nairobi, staying at the Nairobi Youth Hostel. The remainder of the week was spent at Fisherman's Camp, located 150 km west of Nairobi in the Rift Valley along Lake Naivasha.
In preparation for their work camp project, the group flew to Lamu, a small Muslim island off the northern coast of Kenya. Living at the Lamu Guest House, the group traveled by dhow each morning to the village of Matondoni. For ten days they worked on completing a nursery school that had been started by a previous EIL group. Many wonderful friendships were formed in Lamu with the Kenyan people and leaving was difficult.
It was time now for their homestay. After flying back to Nairobi, they journeyed to Luanda, a small market place located 50 km from Kisumu Town. Kisumu is the center of business between Western Kenya and Uganda, situated near Lake Victoria. Each of the participants lived seperately with their own host family.
This homestay time was perhaps the most difficult but it was also the most enlightening for the group. The experiences were many and varied and no one left without a true sense of the Kenyan culture. The community literally embraced this group of students with their warmth and friendliness.
After a very tearful goodbye to friends and Kenyan families, the group finished their stay with a four-day Safari at the Masai Mara Game Park.
This remarkable experience will never be forgot!
Are you a EIL Kenya '98 participant? Or were you a participant with a previous EIL Kenya trip? Send your pictures to dday to be included in this site.
