I have just been on a family holiday, but that’s not very newsworthy. What is worth reading about is how this holiday changed my life. Our Kenya adventure had been years of planning, years of cancelled flights, and finally, I got to go to the place my Mum called her second home. It was an epic adventure, seeing lions, touching a REAL RHINO, and driving a jet ski on the Indian Ocean. But the best part was one that on paper didn’t sound that exciting.
But it was.
Far, far, outweighing anything I have ever done before.
Imagine waking up in a place with no internet, no heating, no hot water, and very basic accommodation. No lavish sofas or 4k tv let alone heating. I’m only scratching the surface.
That was my experience for nearly a week.
It may have been poor on resources, but it was so rich in love, laughter, and friendships. This is the children’s home in Eldoret where they have so little. They share clothes, eat simple and boring meals every day and share tiny bedrooms with up to 10 other children. But they were happy. Happy to be alive and happy to have what they had.
I took a suitcase full of my old toys and made the biggest pass the parcel ever. The prizes weren’t that much, but you can’t imagine the smile on their faces when they opened their parcel. I’ve made friendships that will last for life, and an experience I will never forget.
Now I’m back home, I realise how fortunate we are with all the many things we have. Christmas is a time for gifts, but I now realise we are surrounded by gifts every single day.
Life is a gift
Education is a gift
Food is a gift
Shelter is a gift
Technology is a gift
Entertainment is a gift
Love is a gift
Fun is a gift
Family is a gift
Clothes are a gift
Toys are a gift
So, when these gifts come your way, don’t take them for granted, as so many people in the world don’t have anything.
For Christmas this year, I have asked for every poor child in Eldoret, every single one, to get something nice for Christmas.
That’s how touched I am by it all.
Written by Alexander in Year 6