Kilifi's Pump and the Team's Safari

It's been a busy last couple days for the Expedition Team!  Check out Mariah's account of the Kilifi Pump Dedication and their safari adventures!

The past two days have been pretty action packed! Yesterday we had a rare morning off and were able to sleep in and spend some time down at the Indian ocean and relaxing by the pool. In the afternoon we headed to Kilifi to go back to where we were able to help drill the well. On the way there we were also able to stop by a different site where the Village Drill had started to drill another well. Once we arrived to Kilifi, the crowd was much bigger than the first time we had gone for drilling. We were all able to be there for the grand opening of their new well and we all pumped the well a few times and tasted the water that was coming out. Everyone was so excited to see the water. It was incredible.  Afterwards we hung out at the village for a while and watched some of the guys play soccer and handed out bread muffins and sweets. The kids basically swarmed us when the sweets came out. It was pretty intense. 

Now the people of Kilifi won't have to walk 6 miles every day for water -- they can pump it from their own village!

WHOlives Founder John Renouard with Kilifi's new pump

Today, Thursday, we woke up early and headed to the safari! The first animal that we saw was an ostrich. It was pretty far off but it was still pretty exciting. Also on our way to the hotel we saw some zebras,  warthogs, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, elephants, and we were even lucky enough to see a Cheetah!! It was only about 20 feet off the road. It was funny to watch the zebras run across the road because when they walk or run they bob their heads like a little bobble head toy. 

We then checked into the hotel, ate lunch and we were able to watch elephants at the watering hole from the dining area. There was one little baby elephant that was probably less than a month old. There was also a water buffalo down there rolling around in the mud like a puppy. After we ate we were able to walk down to a viewing area that puts you about 15 feet from the elephants and the watering hole. It was super crazy being so close to such a large animal. At one point an elephant was looking right at us and threw its trunk towards us. It scared us pretty badly.

After lunch we headed back out in the safari van and were able to see lions! There were three females sitting about 40 feet from the road sleeping. We spent the next two hours or so watching more elephants, zebras, and water buffalos and many other birds and animals. On our way back to the hotel we saw the same group of lions again but instead of just sleeping they were up and walking around, which was cool. Finally, after dinner we walked back down to the elephant viewing area and saw a few more elephants at night.  Now we are back up watching a movie and getting ready for bed! Can't believe we have less than a week left! It has been awesome.

Mariah

**********UPDATE**********

Safari Pictures!