Trips to Kenya

Every two years, an IOTF group goes to Kenya to catch up on the projects, bring much-needed clothing to the youth we visit with, and buy new goods to bring back for fundraising.

Participants in the trip are expected to help with the fundraising ahead of time. There is a new scholarship available offered by a donation from Harv Hegarty to pay for the ticket for a young person to go on the trip, which we have done twice in the past, but not in 2017. Trip participants normally help on the trip not just by carrying around big suitcases (filled with donated clothes on the way over, and items bought for fundraising on the way home), but also by taking photos, talking with beneficiaries, and applauding their efforts. We are not missionaries and do not have the intention of converting anyone or telling them what to do. Rather we try to further their efforts to help themselves, which follows best development practices.

Are you interested in coming to Kenya on our next trip? Talk to Claire Robertson or any member of IOTF.

2017 Kenya Trip

The 2017 group included Claire Robertson, who has been leading the biennial trips since 2001, as well as Peter and Olivia Dorfman, Marlin Howard and Michelle Fleener, all of whom found it rewarding.

Activities included shopping for jewelry, fabrics and other stock, as souvenirs and for resale to raise funds for ongoing support for our charities; buying trips to the Kintengela Glass Works and Kazuri Bead works; and visits to wildlife preserves such as the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust baby elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. Most importantly, we visited our charities to check on their progress, gauge their needs, and distribute aid – money and donated clothes. The group also found time for safari visits to Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor, Amboseli National Park, Taita Hills Nature Preserve and Nakuru National Park.