BANDARI & MWENGE – REPORT 2
September 11, 2026
From our team in Kenya today...
Despite Jason, Indai, and Bella (Leah’s daughter)’s best efforts to hold the team (Jason scored us two goals!), the White Simba’s were not the victors in the annual soccer match with the Black Lions. We all played hard, laughed a lot, and enjoyed ourselves out on the field together. The rains created some mud on the field, and we took a few slippery, messy falls. Each team was quick to help the other team’s players up every time, with everyone laughing along the way. Sweets for the children watching, and singing and dancing along the sidelines added to the fun. We took turns making bridges for each team to run through, and celebrated each other in the end. We told the Black Lions that we’ll be back next year - and we’re certain next year is our year! No pressure travel team 2027…
We were then fortunate to return to Mwenge to visit all of our newest friends and complete the mural on their new classrooms. Everyone was so excited to see our vans pull up, and welcomed us back to their home with squeals of excitement, smiles, and hugs. We got to work on the mural, and quickly noticed that we were missing a few of the paint colors. We adapted quickly, finding solutions, mixing colors, and working together to make sure the project turned out great for Mwenge. Later in the day, after finishing the project, we learned that the children had gotten into the paint the day prior, and used it to paint their faces, arms and legs with dots and decorations for their performances the previous day. But they had forgotten to ask to do so, of course not knowing what the paint was planned for. We all got a good laugh knowing that this sweet act of childhood is the thing that had us thrown for a complete loop.
Typically, we sign the mural with Grant Victor’s name, but this year we felt it was important to do something a little more special. Mr. Mangi (the villager who lost his life working on the latrine pit) has a headstone that lists his “sunrise” and “sunset” dates. As the mural was a sunset, we felt it only fitting to dedicate this to Mr. Mangi, for the ultimate sacrifice he gave for the people and future of Mwenge. Our hearts continue to go out to his family, and we hope they will be able to find peace soon.
After returning home to Mama Kamoti’s, we enjoyed the wonderful and delicious dinner graciously provided to us and held a small party outside afterwards. We enjoyed the night with glow sticks and music, dancing, and many rounds of human ring toss with the glow sticks, catching them on our arms. Children and parents alike came to move and groove with us. It was wonderful to spend our night with our welcoming and accommodating hosts and their families, enjoying their time to let loose and have a little fun.
Eventually the party had to come to an end, as our average 15,000 steps a day has caught up with us, and the exhaustion is real. We have quite the early wake up tomorrow to head to the safari, and we look forward to returning to the village of Bandari in just a few days.
The last few days have been nothing short of extraordinary - in every way. The meaningful time and energy spent with the people of these villages has been a constant reminder to us how fortunate we are, and how easy it is to take things for granted. It has also been a beautiful reminder that happiness is everywhere if we choose to find it, and that hope and joy can be present, even in the most trying of times.
