International Gold Event Kenya Diary

By Lucky and Ramla Giirre

South Australian Gold Award holders and sisters Ramla and Lucky Giirre were 2 of 4 Australian delegates who attended the International Gold Event (IGE) in Kenya this September. The IGE brings together Gold Awardees from all over the world to meet, workshop and plan together about how to use their experiences to grow The Duke of Ed and make a real difference to communities around the world.

This year was the 13^th triennial International Gold Event. The delegates were from 44 countries that run The Award, including Kenya, Ireland, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, The Seychelles, Bermunda, Canada, The Netherlands and Turkey. The motto of this year was ‘Each One, Reach One’ which meant that for each one of the delegates who attended the IGE to reach one goal using the experiences and skills at the IGE.  This is a recount of their experiences.

WARM WELCOME AT KAREN, KENYA

The International Gold Event in Kenya, Africa ran from the 2nd to the 16th of September, 2011. The first day started in Nairobi in the beautiful  suburb of Karen at the KCB Leadership Centre with registration, introductions and team building. Teams were set and consisted of a mix of delegates from diverse countries such as Gibraltar to Ghana and Dominica. We were grouped with delegates who were not from our countries.

CAMP SAVAGE

Next was Savage Camp at Sagana, Kenya. Delegates slept in outdoor tents and were immersed in adventurous activities. These adventurous activities included water rafting, cycling, hiking and rock-climbing. Bungee-jumping was optional.

ARRIVAL AT THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY LODGE

Next we were taken to the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha, Kenya. This Lodge is located on the great rift, and is situated 7000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by native east African flora and fauna. We were paired off with delegates from different countries for the entire event and stayed in the same living space. The Great Rift Valley Lodge is where we would spend the rest of the duration of the event. 

Impressively large and opulent tents were mounted on the manicured lawns and surrounding fields in anticipation for His Excellency, Mwai Kibaki, the President of Kenya, to arrive.

OPENING BY THE PRESIDENT

On the 6^th of September, His Excellency, Mwai Kibaki, the President of Kenya led the official opening of the International Gold Event. Australian Gold Delegate, Ramla Giirre was among the selected delegates who went on stage to witness the official opening and cutting of the cake by the President.

We soon got underway and involved in intense workshops that focused around the Award.

AUSTRALIA IN ASIA PACIFIC NIGHT

Each night, a regional night, the delegates were able to show off their countries in their own, unique style. Some performed dances, and songs others presentations and quizzes. The Australian delegation did quizzes and gave away prizes which included Koala souvenirs.

MEETING AWARD VIP’s

Here we met key stakeholders for the Award internationally. We met delegates of the Award. We met the Kenyan Patron, His Excellency the President of Kenya, HRH, The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward KG GCVO, the International Council Regional Directors of the Award and the Trustees of the Award.

BUSH DINNER

Once again those magnificent tents were erected for a unique experience, the Bush Dinner. Greeted by singing traditional Masai Mara dancers thumping the ground, a fire was flickering in the centre; metal sculptures of African animals surrounded the lawns. The tables and chairs were low, the smooth and music and songs from live local African singers and musicians complimented the rustic and classical outdoor wilderness setting. Full of culture and style the night ended memorably.

WORKSHOPS WITH HRH, THE EARL OF WESSEX

The delegates were given the chance to create and facilitate a workshop. Delegates chose from various preferences including partnerships and Award Holders Associations. Delegates had a day to prepare these workshops and would then facilitate these workshops the next day and repeat four times to different groups of people. These consisted of International Trustees, International Council, the regional directors and managers and His Royal Highness, the Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

SERVICE AT SCHOOL

As a part of the service within The Award we went to some of the most underprivileged primary schools within Kenya and helped in rebuilding classrooms. These activities involved painting walls, cementing floors, making fences and planting shrubs.

A GALA EVENT

The Gala dinner drew the IGE to an official close. The tents set up again for this final night of an amazing experience. Inspiring speeches by regional directors and HRH, Earl of Wessex concluded the event admirably.

SAFARI

We had the chance to be able to see Africa’s Big Five, with the exception of the African Elephant. The Big Five are the African elephant, the black Rhino, the Cape buffalo and the lion and the leopard. We saw giraffes, zebras, gazelle and antelope and moneys and baboons. It was an amazing experience.

A PLEDGE FOR THE AWARD

On the last day pledges were given by each delegate who attended.

My pledge was that I pledged to engage with youth from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds to get them involved in the Award within South Australia.   (Ramla Giirre)

My pledge was to use my thoughts, skills and ideas to work with integrity, to promote the reach of The Award to refugee, migrant and disadvantaged youth in Australia. (Lucky Giirre)