What do a paint brush and a few honest conversations have in common? Well, they can turn they can turn stratizens into seasoned painters (or so we like to think) and transform a small school in the heart of Kilifi, showing that even the smallest of actions can create lasting change. Here’s that story.
On the morning of August 18, 2024, a team of 18-15 students and 3 staff members, set out from Strathmore University, bound for Kilifi County. The journey, though long and tiresome, came with breathtaking views and the chance for everyone to interact and get to know each other before the highly anticipated work camp.
In a typical organised fashion, we secured all the paint ahead of time, because starting a painting project without paint just wouldn’t cut it. Kansai Plascon Limited, who, upon hearing that the paint was destined for a social project, generously provided us with free overalls. Thanks to their kindness, we were able to focus on the task at hand, making sure we stayed paint-free while getting the job done.
The next morning, we arrived at Kolongoni School, our home for the next three days. Warmly welcomed by Mr Mwagona, the school’s Director, and the Deputy Principal, we soon discovered that “warm” meant more than just smiles. It came with hot tea and delicious mahamri. We also got to meet the students who would work alongside us to make the work camp’s objective successful.
With sheer excitement, we scrambled to get into our oversized overalls, exchanging nervous laughs about our inexperience with painting. Then came Mr Adili, the school’s painter; a remarkably talented individual who also happened to be deaf. He served as our guide, showing us what to paint, how to blend colours, and what to avoid. For most of the time, Paul Mwagona acted as our translator, but Mr Adili’s expressive gestures spoke volumes on their own. As he communicated through expressive gestures, it reminded us that passion and artistry can connect us all, transcending any barriers we might face.
Our days were spent sanding, painting, and scrubbing, but afternoons took on a different tone. After the physical labour, we would gather for mentoring sessions with the students. These were not just opportunities for them to learn from us; we, too, were students in that space. Conversations ranged from setting boundaries to self-care, with each discussion creating a chance for reflection and growth.
As the students opened up to share the stories, the struggles and the joys that defined them, we got a chance to be in their world for a moment, and picture life as something more than what we’re accustomed to. It was a powerful reminder that the world is much larger than our own experiences. We offered advice by fumbling through our own understanding of life, striving to help them navigate the challenges of teenage-hood.
By the third day, we successfully managed to paint six rooms in the school, three classrooms, the computer lab, the library and an office, both inside and out. The greatest reward was watching Mr Adili describe, with the greatest of smiles, the gratitude he had for the work that we had done. In a final reflection session, the team shared unique and defining moments from the camp, bringing the experience full circle.
Of course, all work and no play makes for a dull time, so we made sure to soak in the coastal sun and play in the waves after a long day’s work. We even had the chance to tour Mombasa before heading home as a way to top off our trip.
As we packed up and began our journey back on Friday morning, we were no longer the same people who had set out just a few days earlier. This work camp was about more than just painting classrooms. It was about building connections, touching lives, and inspiring change. One classroom, one conversation, one brushstroke at a time.
A big thank to Strathmore Mentoring Services (SMS) for organising this for us
Article written by Laureen Ndanu Kyalo, Bachelor of Informatics and Computer Science, 2nd Year Student
