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Football and Friendships: A Day of Community

 

By Maya Notch and Robert Schmidt

 

We kicked off the midpoint of our trip by going to the highly anticipated Child Discovery Center (CDC) in Nakuru. The CDC is a program led by Brother Oscar Okoth, which serves underprivileged students in the city of Nakuru, Kenya. Currently, 47 children live there while attending local schools, while an additional 15 are served through their outreach program. They work in close collaboration with their twin school, Christian Brothers Academy, which is a private secondary school in Syracuse.

 

As for our visit today, we were immediately greeted with hugs and smiles from the children and staff. From here, we divided into two groups: soccer and bracelet making. We started soccer by warming up and then split into teams to play on a field near the school and the local neighborhood. Both children from the CDC and the town participated, creating a fun and passionate game. The sense of unity and teamwork was apparent between the children playing soccer, whose ages range from 5 to 15 years old. Inside the school, the rest of the team and the children made friendship bracelets, bonded over shared interests, and guessed the flavor of the mystery lollipops they snacked on. The sense of joy and belonging was palpable, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

 

After driving back to Nairobi, we visited the Pallet Cafe which is a garden cafe that employs deaf servers. The cafe was established with a vision to offer excellent food and exceptional service, all while supporting the training and employment of individuals with disabilities in the food service industry. Visitors are invited to learn a few hand signs, unwind, enjoy some delicious food, and have a great time. The cafe features co-working spaces, a yoga area, and an art studio. To put it simply, the food was incredible and the service was even better!

 

Reflecting on our journey, it's evident that both the Child Discovery Center and the Pallet Cafe are institutions that aim to make a positive impact within their communities. Our interactions at the CDC highlighted the power of shared experiences, while our visit to the Pallet Cafe underscored the importance of inclusivity in business.

 

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