|By Samita Mwanicky|
Under the Community Outreach Programme, one’s Saturdays look different; they look like visiting new places, and giving back to the community and the larger society. On 2nd April 2022, COP welcomed a new month by visiting a girl’s rescue centre in Komarock, Dorothea Rescue Centre. The Centre, founded and run by the Assumption Sisters of Eldoret, rehabilitates, educates and rescues girls from the streets of Nairobi and Machakos, acting as a sister centre to Kwetu Home of Peace.
We were graced with a warm welcome from the girls in the Centre and got a tour of the place. The aim of the visit was to spend time with the girls and also help them out with various activities within the Centre. We familiarised ourselves with the environment and divided ourselves into groups. Different groups were tasked to mentor the girls, help with cooking, doing laundry, and splitting firewood.
Big dreams, big hearts…
Learning more about the stories of these girls was heart wrenching but also important to listen to. They all have big dreams, just like everyone else. They are eager to learn more and pursue various avenues in life. The confidence they exuded at their tender ages was pleasing to experience. They reminded me of what it looked like to be a child and find joy in life no matter the circumstances. It was quite noticeable that they held God quite dear in their lives, which was admirable to see and experience. They have so much love, so much joy to share with other people given their cheery personalities.
The girls absolutely loved to dance and we had a great time performing various dances with them. The highlight was the picture sessions after a filling meal prepared by COP members. The girls were thrilled with the idea of freezing time in pictures. The amount of laughter and excitement that filled the air were indicators of moments to remember and cherish. Thereafter, we played kati and three sticks with the girls; talk about a healthy way to burn calories from the heavy meal we had!
I picked quite much from the visit to the Centre . I may think it did not look like much to visit them, call them by their names and spend time with them but it could have meant the whole world to them. Even the smallest gestures and the kindest words can spark something great in a young soul. In a world where there are so many disparities than there are commonalities, giving back to society helps one realize that there is so much more to the world we live in. We can only realize how privileged we are and what it can do for other people if we step out of our bubble and lend a helping hand to those who need it most. Visiting the rescue centre was a blessing to me in so many ways as I learned to appreciate the little things I have in life. I also learned the importance of giving back to the community and having conversations with young girls like those at the centre. It is important to learn more about the issues facing one’s own society and find ways to remedy such situations so as to help the society flourish.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
~ African Proverb.
