Kenya > The Mago School Project

There was a mosquito in the room during the night. Timothy had earlier assured us that above two thousand meters there would be no mosquitoes. I apply DEET on the parts of my body that stick out from under the sheets. The alarm goes off at a quarter past six. I take a shower. While getting dressed, I see the sun rising over the valley through the window. What a beautiful sight. After breakfast with pancakes, we pack up the truck and get ready for the new travel day. Due to the high altitude, the atmosphere is good for athletes. Many Kenyan runners, often the best in the world, come from this region. The town of Iten, at the top of the Great Rift Valley, is known as the ‘Home of Champions.’ Many athletes come here for high-altitude training at 2,400 meters. We see several mostly white runners jogging. A wide lane has been specially made along the road for them. The other side of the mountain is suitable for tea plantations. Tea was introduced during colonial times by the British. Mainly black tea and rooibos tea can be made from Kenyan tea. We stop briefly at a tea plantation. A man is just picking the young tea leaves.

Kenya - Tea plantations along the roadside

Only the young growth is used for tea; the older leaves are too bitter. In Eldoret, we stop for groceries—well, the crew does. This gives us time to buy something ourselves at the large supermarket. I don’t need much, just a bottle to drink. I cross the street and walk along the small shops. A boy sits on his scooter wearing a winter coat and a hat. He laughs when I ask if he’s cold. He says it feels cooler when he’s riding. Many shops are closed on Sundays. The shops that are open are mostly run by Indians. The small stores are often less than four meters wide. Most counters have thick metal bars. Is that really necessary? In one of the shops, there is a ‘Milk ATM.’ People fill their milk into bottles here. Funny. On Moi Street, I find a Hindu temple. When I ask the security guard if I can look inside, he asks if I am Hindu. No. Then entry is not allowed. He says I can come back in the afternoon, and he will inform the director that a visitor is coming.

Kenya - Swimming in the Mago region

I don’t have that much time. I settle for a photo of the outside. On the way back to the bus, I enter a small restaurant and order a cola. I feel like everyone around is watching me. I smile politely back. I don’t have much time because I must be back at the bus on time. We still have some way to go to Mago. The plan is to have lunch in Mago and not to make extra stops along the way. Around quarter to one, the truck turns into the grounds of the Mago Polytechnic school project in Mago. In 2004, on the initiative of a Dutchman, a guesthouse and education for local children were started here. It has since expanded with computer courses, car maintenance, and sewing lessons. Whereas initially mostly local children were trained here, nowadays children also come from Nairobi, for example. Most children have their own beds in dormitories. Because of the combination of guesthouse and school, the children can practice hospitality. The accommodation itself has no swimming pool, but a few kilometers away swimming is possible. In the afternoon, Zak drives us there with the truck. It turns out to be quite a way further.

Kenya - Mago Polytechnic school project in Mago

After about half an hour, we arrive at the Saso cottages. It looks like a luxury resort, mainly for wealthier Kenyans. I borrow some Kenyan money to pay the entrance fee. I’m practically out of cash. Tomorrow we go to Tanzania, so I don’t need much more. It’s nice to swim in the round pool. Many guests come to take a look at the pool because of this white invasion. The sky is cloudy and even a bit threatening. Occasionally a few drops fall, but it’s not really rain. When I get out of the water and sit on the edge, the sun is back again. Back at the Mago Guesthouse, Kevin shows off his cocktail skills. For those who want, he mixes drinks. Meanwhile, the girls in training prepare dinner. It’s funny to see that during the presentation of the food, they need to peek at a note to remember exactly what everything is. The taste is no worse for it. In the evening, I have some trouble with my mosquito net. Previous users have tied knots in the net, probably to close holes. Because of this, the net doesn’t fit well over the bed anymore. I wedge the net between the mattress and put a pillow up to have enough space around my head. I just hope I don’t move too much and won’t need to go to the toilet tonight.