Odienya village is located in southwestern Kenya, off of a paved road leading towards Lake Victoria. Near the tea-growing region of Kisii, the closest town is Rongo, about 8 km away; Homa Bay on Lake Victoria is around 20 km further west. The majority of the nearly 2,000 people of Odienya belong to the Luo tribe. President Barack Obama's father is a Luo from this area, and the local people proudly refer to President Obama as their “American President”.
The size of Texas, Kenya is a country of great ecological diversity: plains, temperate forests, grassland and tropical forests. Known for its many wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves, it is home to lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, rhinos and elephants. The two rainy seasons are typically April to June (long rains) and October to November (short rains). Most of Kenya's 27-30 million people are farmers, earning about $370 US a year. Ninety-nine percent of the inhabitants are African, divided among 40 ethnic groups. English and Swahili are the official languages. While many people follow traditional belief systems, there are many Christians and a small number of Muslims.
The Luo are the third largest tribal group in Kenya after the Kikuyu and Luhya. The Luo derive from related tribes originating in the Sudan, and crossed into Kenya between 1500 and 1800. Today’s Luo grow many crops such as maize, millet and groundnuts, herd animals such as goats and cattle, and fish. Most Luo wear westernized clothing for everyday activities, but still maintain traditional dress and rituals for ceremony. Education is valued among the Luo, and many of Kenya’s scientists and doctors are members of the Luo tribe. Luo and Swahili is spoken daily, and many people speak English as well.
The people of Odienya village have invited GCN to assist them in the construction of a health center. The closest health facility is a private clinic in Opapo, with a second private clinic located about 12 km away in a town called Marindi. The closest public health facility is in Rongo, 6 km away down a very bumpy road. The health center will serve an area of 4 km with a population of about 10,000 people. The center will be located on the side of the road that goes through the village, and is adjacent to a vocational school for AIDS orphans. The site has already been donated by the local governing council, and the community has donated 1,000 red clay bricks to get the project started.
Using a government-approved plan, the health center will be built in phases, to include the main treatment building, maternity ward, male and female wards, residences and other facilities. The main building has been halfway constructed. Once the main building is complete, the village can submit a request for a health official to be placed at the center, so that, care can begin while they continue the expansion phases. Villagers have formed a committee of eight, several of whom are women, to oversee the project. Most of the committee members speak Luo, Swahili and English.
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. Odienya offers many types of activities in the nearby environs: Lake Victoria is a short drive away, or participants can visit Tabaka where soapstone (Kissii stone) carvings come from.
Within the village itself, there are several women’s groups involved in small enterprise such as communal gardens, basket weaving and pottery making. Kenya is known for the safari experience; most participants build in a few days before or after the GCN trip to safari at Amboseli or Maasai Mara or any of the other national reserves. GCN participants often make safari arrangements through our host contact in Nairobi, Kentan Safaris.
If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.
We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)
This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.
The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)
Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania
GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania
Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania
Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania
This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.
My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)
I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.
One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.
My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.
We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.
The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007
The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant
With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants
I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant
I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant
As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant
A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer
It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer
The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer
My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer
Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!
The best thing about the trip was getting really close-up pictures of horses. The hardest part of the trip was leaving Chirapa
Tana-Isabel, Washington; Peru youth volunteer
I wanted to be "in the middle of nowhere" and enjoy it as well as learn about the Quechua culture. My comfort zone has expanded and I enjoyed getting to know the people!
The most inspiring moment for me was receiving a genuine Quechuan percussion instrument as a gift from the community. It showed me that the community valued my presence and it is something that I will never forget.
David, University of Minnesota Participant; Peru volunteer
As I zipped into my sleeping bag, I reflected on this totally crazy, awesome experience, and in many ways wondered how (why) we are having so much fun. This is -- by far -- the best trip we have ever taken as a family and perhaps even my best trip ever. Everything is an adventure. We are living it rather than observing it. Amy S., Chicago, Guatemala volunteer
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