Week Seven: Kwaheri Kenya! (Nairobi + Reflections)
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — A.A. Milne
Monday
We left Mbita at 5 in the morning. It was a bittersweet day, because even though we were excited to see our friends and families again soon, the internship itself was over. Siena and I were introspective, as usual, talking about how this internship had broadened our worldviews in ways we never imagined, made us more independent, and given us memories we’ll carry for the rest of our lives.
On the way to Kisumu airport, the sky slowly brightened into one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen. It felt like the perfect farewell gift from Mbita!
From Kisumu, we caught our flight to Nairobi, where the amazement hit us almost immediately. After weeks in rural towns, being surrounded by traffic, bustling crowds, and “huge” buildings made Nairobi feel like New York City.
Tuesday
Tuesday was animal day! We woke up at 4 a.m. for a safari in Nairobi National Park, shivering in the early morning cold. No one warned us how chilly Nairobi would be compared to Mbita — in August it dipped all the way to fifty degrees.
The park itself was incredible. Within minutes we were driving past zebras grazing, giraffes stretching their necks above the trees, and even lions sprawled lazily in the grass. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat instead of a zoo was so cool.
From there, we went to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a baby elephant orphanage. The elephants were unbelievably cute, stumbling and nudging each other with their trunks, but their stories were heartbreaking. Many had lost their mothers to poaching or drought. Still, it was comforting to know they were safe now, and I think elephants may have officially become my favorite animal.
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We ended the day at the Giraffe Center, feeding giraffes from the platforms as they leaned down with their impossibly long tongues. By the time we got back, we were exhausted but in the best way.
Wednesday
On Wednesday we went shopping at a local market for gifts and souvenirs, then made our way to the Kazuri Beads Factory. It was incredible! The clay they use comes from Mt. Kenya, and every bead is handmade from start to finish. What moved me most was that it’s a female-run company, employing single mothers and women who need stable jobs.
The jewelry itself felt like artwork. Siena and I spent an entire hour in the shop, completely captivated by the colors and designs. I spent way too much money, but it was totally worth it. Later, we ate at an amazing restaurant and then headed back to ICIPE’s Nairobi campus.
Thursday
Thursday was never-ending. Our flight home wasn’t until midnight, so we filled the day with one last adventure: the Nairobi National Museum. Learning more about Kenya’s history was moving — the stories of colonization and oppression were painful to read, but the story of independence was inspiring.
For our last meal, we went to Cultiva Kenya, a farm-to-table restaurant where the pizza tasted like it had been flown straight in from Italy! It was the perfect ending to our time in Nairobi.
Afterwards, we returned to campus, packed up our bags, and by midnight we were on our way home.
This internship has been absolutely incredible to say the least. Full of memories and moments I know I’ll carry for the rest of my life. I’m so grateful to the World Food Prize Foundation, and to Renee and Rebecca for making this opportunity possible. Thank you to my family, who were there for me the entire time, even halfway across the world. Thank you to Siena as well, who made every day so fun, listened to my endless thoughts, and became such a great friend.
As I was leaving Kenya, I made a promise to myself: to never forget how much I grew through this experience, and to always keep trying to better the world around me.
Kwaheri, Kenya.
(Kwaheri = Goodbye in Swahili)
