BANDARI & MWENGE – SERVICE PROJECT
September 8, 2026
BANDARI & MWENGE – REPORT 2
September 11, 2026
From our Kenya travel team today…
Much like our flights, we’re a little delayed on our first email, but we finally got there 😊 Despite multiple travel hiccups, and many plan changes, the Travel Team arrived in Nairobi 37 hours after departing Salt Lake City on Monday evening. Due to the cancellations of Monday night (1,000+ flights affected in Europe), the flight to Mombasa was missed, and had to be rescheduled, around a completely full flight. But fantastic attitudes, teamwork, and never ending positivity helped get the team and (44!) bags of sweets, classroom supplies, mural supplies, medical goods, and school supplies to Mombasa.
On fumes of sleep, with sore muscles from loading, unloading, and reloading bags, we were so happy and relieved to arrive at the Kamoti home late Thursday morning. After warm, wonderful greetings, we enjoyed the lunch graciously provided by the Kamoti’s, complete with smiles, hugs, and happy introductions. We quickly pivoted from lunch to outfit changes, with a few small bags packed, and hit the road.
Over an hour on Kenya’s unpaved, bumpy roads led us to the amazing squeals, “Jambo”’s, smiles, waves, and excitement of the Village of Bandari. To begin their groundbreaking ceremony on a new classroom and toilet block, the entire village danced us through the village, smiling, laughing, and kicking to the music all the way. They greeted us with beautiful kanga’s for the women, and hats for the men - doing the most to make us feel “at home away from home”.
Tomorrow we look forward to spending time with the Village of Mwenge and handing over the recently completed classrooms and toilet block. We will then be spending the day in the village, teaching our lessons to the classes and are excited to learn through play with the students. We are also honored to be able to pay a visit to a Village family who tragically lost their husband and father while he was working to dig the toilet block hole for this project. We feel it is very important to spread our love and assistance as this family navigates this very difficult and painful time.
But first, some restful sleep. More updates soon!
