Kenya: A Journey of Connection
I recently had a chance to travel to Kenya for the first time on a retreat hosted by our daughter, Jessie (FloyoFit). While we have been to Africa twice, this time was unique in that my 3-year-old granddaughter, Gracie, was part of the 22-person trip. We spent time in Nairobi, on safari in the Maasai Mara, and remote Lamu Island off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Jessie’s retreats always bring together an interesting mix of attendees, plenty of yoga and paddle boarding, and genuinely unique cultural experiences. This one was a fantastic trip on many levels and there were a couple of life lessons I got from it.
One person really can make a difference
Jessie did her yoga training in Kenya over a decade ago. In that class, she met Dylan Monacki, who grew up in one of the largest slums in Kenya, Kangemi. Dylan really wanted to reconnect with Jessie, and a few of the early arrivals at the retreat did a yoga class at a studio in Nairobi. It was a great experience to join this community class with 60+ local yogis, but the real connection came in the afternoon when we visited his home.
Driving into this slum of an estimated 300,000 people, it is hard to put into words the living conditions from our perspective, which are so different than most of our country. As we walked to his childhood home and met his mother, siblings, and his two children in their home, our similarities became much more apparent. The love in this family is heartwarming, and the inspiration his mother (a single mom) provides is the glue that holds the family together. They were so proud to welcome us as their guests, talk about their lives, and serve us food. It was very clear how they were so proud of what they have!
A number of years ago, Dylan started a community yoga program in Kangemi. It has grown and is now an important aspect of life for many in the community. Dylan talked about how it helped many residents through the COVID pandemic, which hit areas like this very hard. Seeing the smiles on so many faces and eager children who all wanted to say hello to us (and especially Gracie), you realize that you do not need to have so much to live very happily!
Deeper connections are what make life so wonderful
One of the things that I love so much about traveling, especially spending time in Africa, is connecting with the people. Travel allows you to connect with others around the world. When you do that, it quickly becomes clear that we have more in common than differences with others around the globe. Connecting with the people of Kenya, I felt like we could better understand and appreciate their lives.
That was evident on safari in the Maasai Mara. Our guides, the staff at our lodge, and the other Maasai people were always willing to help and share aspects of their lives, along with their infectious smiles! While all the retreat attendees built strong relationships with their guides during the twice daily 4-5 hour game drives, I especially saw this in how Gracie connected with the Kenyans. Doing beadwork with Alex, the Maasai warrior, getting to know Judi, her “personal chef,” and meeting her 1-year-old daughter and all the others at our camp, Gracie made some great friends, was a great wildlife spotter and learned a little Swahili along the way!
Disconnecting periodically is essential to living a balanced life
Our third and final stop on the trip was remote, off the grid Lamu Island, just off the coast of Kenya, about 100 km south of Somalia. The main town, Lamu Town, is one of the best-preserved Swahili towns in Africa. After two small plane rides and a walk to the pier, it was a 30-minute boat ride to The Cabanas Lamu. This property, run by Anna and her husband, Shawn, is self-sufficient, relying on solar to power everything and a well for water. It gives you a sense of being one with the land in a location like this. Anna’s mother, Leslie, had the vision to purchase this end of the island and preserve it several decades ago. It was mostly desert and dunes until she started planting vegetation. She eventually added several villas and Anna has continued to expand the property thoughtfully. Taking time to slow down and connect is something we often do not have or find the time to do. Spending time in an environment like this forces you to do that.
We were in Kenya during the US election, and several attendees commented that the differences we spend so much time fighting over in the United States seem irrelevant when you look at the struggles of others around the globe. We are all human and face many of the same challenges as the rest of the world. Stepping back and connecting deeply with other cultures and people does put life in perspective!
- Lyle K Benson Jr., CPA, PFS, CFP, AEP
The views expressed represent the opinions of L.K. Benson & Company and are subject to change. These views are not intended as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. The information provided is of a general nature and should not be construed as investment advice or to provide any investment, tax, financial or legal advice or service to any person.