The day before departure usually consists of packing, packing and more packing! Yet no one has really started... It seems hard to believe that, after years of wanting to visit Africa, it is finally happening! The fact hasn't sunk in yet, even though it has been about a month since mum and dad told Jette and I the news. A huge number of people have been shocked at our choice of holiday destinations, which is no surprise. Travel advice websites provide the negative factors of visiting Kenya instead the large number of positive ones and advise travellers to reconsider their need for a trip to the certain area. Mum and Dad have wanted to take my sister, Jette, and I to Africa since we were little. The first time they went to Kenya was in 1990 and since then they have been back a number of times. At 36 years old, good friends who also had a connection with the area, asked them if they wanted to be involved in a fundraising hike for an orphanage. Mum and dad had just come back from hiking up Mt. Kenya and agreed to go back again to participate. Not long after they climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, 5895m, and raised the money for the orphanage. In love with the people, the culture and wildlife of Kenya, they have wanted to take Jette and I there since we were young. The orphanage that decided to do the fundraiser is the Imani Rehabilitation Agency. It is made up of seven different centres which cater for vulnerable children as per their needs. The environment provides the children with support and nurturing by giving them all the love they deserve. They give the children hope and assure them with God's love and plan for every individual. The orphanage has used the money that has been raised over the past years to start a project: building a resort. They realised that they needed to be self- sufficient and through the project, money would go to the orphanage. They have bought the land necessary and are progressing through the development of Oloolua Resort in the Ngong Hills, 20km South West of Nairobi. As well as a better income for the orphanage, the resort would also provide trades for the children. We are looking forward to staying there and helping out. Our plane leaves tomorrow (Monday) night at 9:30pm. The first stretch is about 14 hours to Abu Dhabi, where there is a quick stop over before a 5 hour flight to Nairobi. Here we will be picked up by the resort! One of mum's dearest friends, Anne McInnes, is joining the four of us on our adventure and we can't wait to experience it with her! We've had our needles and now we all need to finish packing! Stay updated xx