The 1st Kelly Road Rangers and their Masai Warrior guide, Stephen, in Kenya

photo courtesy Alisha Adams (top row, centre)

Prince George, B.C. – "Memories from the trip cross my mind everyday, and influence the choices I make in my life."

So says 18-year-old Prince George resident, Alisha Adams, who ventured to Kenya six months ago as part of a ‘coming of age’ trip planned by the 1st Kelly Road Rangers – the young women wanted to celebrate their many years as Girl Guides with one final, life-changing expedition. (click here for previous story)

And the lasting impacts are still revealing themselves to Adams as she settles back in to life here at home. "(The trip) changed what I want to do with my future and it also changed how I view my past."

"Before the trip, I used to view my upbringing as the ‘spoiled’ variety, but I see it as a tool (now)," she says. "It is unfortunate that the voices of people in Third World countries are rarely heard and I can use the fact that I was blessed to be born in Canada to my advantage – I can work to spread what I have learned and encourage people to go over and see for themselves what they keep seeing on tv commercials." While the videos often show sad little children in ratty clothing with flies buzzing around their faces, Adams says the most important piece isn’t being shown. "The joy that the people there hold in their hearts is enough to change the world if it were allowed to be spread."

Heady thoughts for an 18-year-old. But Adams and the rest of the BC group were travelling under the auspices of the Me to We Foundation, started by Canadian activist Craig Kielburger.  Kielburger was just 12-years-old when he launched an international campaign to end child labour. Me to We aims to empower youth to help other young people in developing countries.

As part of their two-week trip to a Masai village outside of Nairobi, the young women and their chaperones helped local workers construct a building at a health clinic that would be used for HIV/AIDS medicine. They also worked on a classroom for the Kisaruni All Girls High School; went on a kilometres-long water walk with local mamas – learning to carry the heavy and cumbersome 20L jugs on their heads; took Swahili lessons (the business language of Kenya); spent some time in the local market environment; were treated to a safari; and spent a good deal of time learning about and discussing the challenges facing the local people with their facilitators from Me to We.

Adams says the highlight of her trip was witnessing the sheer joy and determination of the people of Kenya. She says the children were amazing. "When a small person, carrying an even smaller person on their back, runs through a field at top-speed just to walk beside you holding your hand – it tugs a heartstring that is impossible to ignore."

But she says saying goodbye to their Masai Warrior guide, Stephen (who’s Kenyan name is Karkeris), was particularly difficult. Although just 26, Adams says he  had the sage wisdom of an elder. "Sitting cross-legged in a tent drinking chai tea and having the deepest of conversations about everything under the sun with Stephen showed me the kindness, intelligence, and love of the Kenyan people."

Since returning home, the Prince George resident says it’s been difficult to summarize her trip for those who ask. Adams wishes she could give others the experience she had, "Some might ask, ‘Why not just give them money instead of sending people there?’ Because they don’t want our money – they want our help and friendship."

"It’s all about balance," she says. "The world has enough food for every single person to eat three 500 calorie meals per day, but many starve. It will take understanding and that can only truly be achieved by witnessing and being apart of it."

At the end of their trip the young women each set a goal they’d work towards when they got home. Adams says the goals ranged from taking shorter showers to setting up a communal compost system. This coming August 11th, they plan to touch base by phone or email for status updates.

For Adams, though, the trip to Kenya has meant a dramatic change in her long-range goals, as well. "I am no longer set on getting the best job possible, to build up money, and do all these fancy things. I am looking into things I will enjoy because life is just about being happy and at peace with yourself."