This post features student writing.

Hi all,

Today was our last work day in Maji Moto, which we were all very sad about but very proud to see the work we’ve done. We were able to finish the structure of the building and we were also able to give a fresh coat of paint to the secondary school. This morning we woke up a little early and were excited to get back to school for our final day! It was a tough day, but the encouragement from one another, the squealing of the kids and the singing of many a Taylor Swift and High School Musical song made the process easier. Our afternoon was bittersweet as we enjoyed much-deserved sodas with our fundis Peter, Gasper, and Felix and thought about how far we’ve come and how much we are going to miss Maji Moto. We created inseparable bonds with our inspirational fundis. We looked so forward to seeing them every morning to start work. We even created great bonds with the kids: they remembered the double-double hand game we taught them and many of our names. While the work was long and hard, leaving us with sore backs and paint stains, the whole process was more than worth it and I can say on behalf of everyone that we are beyond proud of what we have accomplished here. The whole process has been so rewarding and unforgettable. Every relationship and piece of work we’ve done here will stick with us forever. At the same time I think we are all hopeful that everything we’ve left behind has affected the community in a meaningful and memorable way. We have all come a long way. On the first day we were put off by the pit toilets, for example, but by now we have embraced everything about our living space and entire village. The memories and relationships we’ve made have overshadowed any of the hardships. Even when we were at an ecolodge (with electricity and running water!) we all wished to be back in Maji Moto. It’s now our second home and we are savoring every last moment we have her. Today is our last day here and while we are sad, we are ready to launch into the safari!

Yay!

— Julianna B.

Earlier in our program, we discussed the differences between a tourist and a traveler, and today I really felt the difference. After we slept in and had celebratory pancakes and Nutella for Jalante’s birthday, we pricked our fingers as we learned about traditional beading techniques. We gained a further appreciation for everything we have bought at the Maasai market. Following the beading we took our final walk to the school for the goodbye ceremony. The kids sang the same sweet song “We Are Coming to Say Goodbye” and we began to fully process that our time in Maji Moto has truly come to an end. A couple of us cried as they sang and looked at us with sympathy and they hugged us and said they were sorry for us to be leaving. I felt so at home so many miles and countries away, and felt like neither a tourist nor traveler, but authentically a member of the Maji Moto community. Our fundis took pictures with us and shook our hands, so grateful for our help (even though we could never have done anything without them) and Peter kept saying “I will not cry because I am strong.” Afterward, we danced and sung with a couple of the girls with pure joy in their eyes, concluding with a group hug. As we wiped away the tears and walked away from the work site, our hearts were heavy with gratitude, pride, and sadness. We have all come so far from the first night with the cho; we don’t want to leave, but we can’t wait for safari tomorrow!

— Ella T.