Immersion Trip Prep Packing Day

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Immersion Trip Prep: Packing Day

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Immersion Trip Prep: Packing Day

By Maya Notch

On Wednesday, May 1, the 2024 Kenya Immersion Trip team dedicated four hours to our donation and gift packing day. We sorted, counted and organized approximately 500 pounds of donations and gifts that we divided among 10 suitcases for team members to distribute throughout the trip.

Throughout the semester, we've been actively fundraising and collecting donations for our upcoming trip. Recognizing the significance of gift-giving in Kenyan culture, we aim to extend our gratitude to all our partners for their warm welcome and invaluable insights into their respective organizations. With the funds raised, we carefully selected personalized gifts for each of our partners, ranging from a necklace for Irene, the manager of the Homecare Retreat Center where we'll be staying, to Jenga sets for the kids of our trusted guide, Rasheed.

Packing day itself was a whirlwind, with clothes, toys, and various items filling a Whitman classroom. We sorted everything into primary groups, categories, and subcategories to ensure an accurate inventory. Each item was logged into a comprehensive spreadsheet that we had prepared for the day. Once organized, we distinguished between partner gifts and donations earmarked for organizations like the Ubuntu Life Foundation, which provides essential health and education support and promotes social inclusion for children with special needs across Kenya.

Then, we embarked on the task of packing. Each team member brought a suitcase or large bag, which we filled, weighed, adjusted, and re-packed until reaching the 50 pound weight limit. This process took some trial and error and required all hands on deck. Some team members had certain required items for their partners, which required items to be moved from various bags until all weight requirements were met.

Upon completing packing day, we recognize that we are only days away from meeting our partners on the ground. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to present our partners with tokens of appreciation for their generosity in hosting and sharing their expertise with us in Kenya.

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