RSIC 2023 REPORT
The theme of the 55th Round Square International Conference 2023 - ‘The New Africa’ allowed eight DAIS delegates to explore many ways in which the continent has evolved and is defining its position in the 21st Century. Brookhouse Schools jointly hosted around 1,200 delegates from 160 schools from the RS community across their two campuses – Karen and Runda in Nairobi.
Arrival Day: DAIS delegates arrived at the Brookhouse Runda campus on the 8th of October 2023 and were greeted with the Swahili words ‘Karibu Kenya (welcome to Kenya). Delegates received their conference kits and met the Conference mascot Kipukee. A variety of activities including camel and horse rides, henna application, bead-work activities, caricaturists, hair braiders, and ice-breaker games kept the delegates occupied.
Day 1: Opening Ceremony
After a restful first night at Qwertu Hostel, the delegates made their way to the ‘Bomas of Kenya’ for the Opening Ceremony, and were welcomed by Brookhouse students in cultural dress, lining the drive bearing the flags of attending schools. Guest of honour, Margaret Kenyatta, opened the ceremony, amidst vibrant musical and dance performances by the students from the host school, including solos from alumni - Brianna and Nikita Kerring. Following a powerful display of African achievements of the twenty-first century - including alumni key speakers Richard Turere and Nikita Kerring. The story of Wangari Maathai, the first Kenyan and African woman to win the Nobel peace prize and her story of ‘The Hummingbird’ was brought to life through a captivating performance with audience participation. A joint welcome address by Round Square Chairman and Brookhouse Head of School, John O’Connor, and Round Square Chief Executive, Rachael Westgarth, culminated with a standing wave in tribute to Kurt Hahn’s belief – "THERE IS MORE IN US THAN WE KNOW". The Opening event ended with a performance that introduced us to the lively world of the Kenyan Matatu (public bus).
The delegates dispersed into their respective baraza groups and engaged in fruitful discussions, not only fully embodying the spirit of Round Square but also meeting delegates from around the world, exchanging pins, interacting with global delegates, and learning about their cultures while making new friends. The day ended with a phenomenal performance displaying a captivating blend of traditional African culture and modern beats.
Day 2: Service Day and Cultural night
After a nutritious breakfast, delegates left for their service day activities. Having learnt the traditional hand games from their baraza leaders, they set off for their service. They worked at Brookhouse’s community partner schools in the Nairobi area, refurbishing classrooms, gardening, and playing sports with the children. Students were rotated on a chore system of painting, shovelling, carrying water and cementing the ground. After tireless work in the scorching sun, they finally took a lunch break. Post lunch, they continued the service activities and interacted in fun games and sports with the Kenyan students.
Delegates returned to the campus and sat in circles on the campus lawns, exchanging their stories while listening to music. Finally, after dinner came the time of the much-awaited cultural night. Delegates showcased their culture through a form of music, martial arts, and dance. It was extremely enriching to learn a new piece about each culture. DAIS delegates performed a medley of Yoga, the classical Kathak dance followed by an elegant culmination with a Bollywood number. To conclude the night on an even higher note, all delegations joined in a flash mob on a Kenyan dance where they danced laughed and sang together while wearing their traditional costumes from each country. This truly was the epitome of unity amongst diversity.
Day3: Adventure Day
The delegates of DAIS started their adventure day with a visit to the Nairobi National Park. They encountered the most majestic animals in their game drive. Amidst the heart of the Savannah biome they chanced upon giraffes, rhinos, zebras and even a Pride of Lions! It felt like a surreal experience. The Baraza group leaders initiated a tent pitching activity which helped delegates enhance their team building skills through perfect collaboration. Post lunch and some recreational time, delegates headed back into the foliage to witness more animals in their natural habitat. Back to camp site post sunset, they were welcomed back with campfires as they witnessed a colourful traditional Masai dance enriching the campsite with diversity and rich culture of Africa. A slight drop in the temperature and an adventurous day ensured the delegates retreated into their cosy tents as they retired for a good night’s sleep.
Day 4: Democracy day and Homestay:
DAIS delegates viewed an esteemed guest panellists as they discussed multiple topics including challenging societal norms, African culture and heard about the journey of each keynote speaker as they embraced ‘service’ for connect with the underprivileged people or find solutions to glaring problems in the environment. The panel included environmentalist Michelle Muturi, journalist Waihiga Mwaura, software engineer Jafer Abdikadir and Safari Doctors’ founder Umra Omar. Delegates joined their Baraza groups and debated as they tried to connect the related topics discussed by the Keynote speakers. Afternoon was busy as each baraza team participated in a fun, adventurous treasure hunt activity involving coordination, teamwork, and communication.
The evening held a lot of surprises for the delegates as they departed for a night stay with their respective host families, enabling a first-hand experience of African hospitality. The generous hosts welcomed the delegates warmly and engaged in greetings, games, and interesting conversations over dinner time. Showering their affection for the delegates, the host families prepared mouthwatering delicacies for breakfast the next morning. With a very heavy heart, the delegates left their host homes and returned to the school campus.
Day 5: Closing Ceremony and Awards:
The Conference ended with a Keynote address by Paralympic Athlete Henry Wanyoike, inspiring delegates to follow their passion undeterred by the obstacles around them. This was followed by an official Closing Ceremony, starting with the Conference photo shoot, including student performances, a tribute to Round Square’s late president, King Constantine, an address from Round Square’s Chairman and Chief Executive, and a spectacular live performance from Kenyan chart-toppers Sauti Sol. It was time to say goodbyes, as delegates exchanged numbers and made promises to stay connected always.
Our Reflections:
My homestay with the Munene family was a profound experience. Bonding with Layla, their daughter, deepened my understanding of Kenyan culture and democracy. We enjoyed a delicious meal at a local restaurant and cooked together, highlighting the importance of food in Kenyan unity. Conversations with Layla's family shed light on Kenya's democratic journey and the significance of community involvement. This day served as a reminder of our global interconnectedness and left an enduring impact, fostering friendships and cultural understanding. It was an insightful and heartwarming experience I will always cherish. – Samika Jain
The host family experience was one that I won’t be able to forget. At dinner we enjoyed typical Kenyan food which surprisingly was like ‘dal chawal’ from India. It felt comforting to eat food familiar to home. Being Italian in origin they also cooked us traditional pasta which was mouth-watering. After dinner we all played karaoke to our favourite songs. It was an extremely fun evening which we finally concluded by watching a movie together. My host family was extremely warm and welcoming, so we immediately felt comfortable and at home. – Krisha Singhal
My home stay at the Kinoti's family was filled with excitement and glee as I approached the car and met my warm hearted and welcoming host parents. The Kinoti Family greeted all delegates with a big smile that helped us feel comfortable with them immediately. As we freshened up and got ready for a scrumptious dinner, we visited a mall in Kenya, where we devoured Italian food with the delectable meal courses. We wandered around the mall looking at the intriguing things around us. Back to the host homes, we showcased our appreciation by sharing tokens from our native countries with our hosts. My hosts had a nine-year-old daughter who was very excited throughout the home stay. We watched a bit of television and then retired for the night as we had to wake up early to go back to the campus. Even though it was a short time, I had a lot of fun and went back with so many new memories. - Anousha Singi.
My time at the Ochogo's home stay was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me with open arms and a cultural performance that showcased their family's traditions. Being a pure vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious Kenyan vegetarian dishes they prepared for me. The flavours were not only authentic but also incredibly satisfying. As the day progressed, we engaged in traditional games and enjoyed a Kenyan movie together. It was a perfect way to immerse myself in their culture. The following morning, I woke up to a generous breakfast spread that included a variety of mouthwatering dishes. As my time with the Ochogo family came to an end, we exchanged gifts, creating lasting memories of our time together. I shared a special bond with Shawn, the son of the host family and left with a heart full of gratitude for their warmth and hospitality. - Eklavea Shah
I was slightly apprehensive at first, but when I met Solange, my host, a 17-year-old girl, we bonded at once. My roommate, Daria, and I, reached our host home and interacted with our hosts as we shared about our cultures. It was interesting to see how different, yet how similar the Kenyan culture is to the Indian one. We spoke about things ranging from the crime statuses in both our countries, to how differently we both play uno! For dinner, we ate some Chapatis and vegetables, something that is eaten by Kenyan people on a regular basis, which was so surprising to me, and I felt like I was back home for a night. After dinner, we continued to indulge in conversations about our cultures, and schools, and played cards. I even taught them a card game – Bluff and we had fun creating a game of our own. It was so amusing to experience the positive cultural amalgamation through just a game of cards! -Sanika Daga.
With my lovely host family, consisting of a 13-year-old boy, and his parents, we first went to Village Market - a popular mall in Nairobi. Here we saw typical Kenyan chocolates and some other artifacts. After this, I arrived at the host family’s beautiful home where we were ushered to our rooms. I was rooming with Georgie, and we chatted for hours about our dreams, hobbies, and cultures. We enjoyed the curry and rice followed by Kenyan candy for dinner. Seizing the perfect opportunity, we then presented them with our gifts where we were greeted with unlimited gratitude and smiles. - Anaya Bansal.
On Democracy Day, I stayed with the Toos, a lovely family, who made me part of theirs for the night. It was a household of a single mother and a 15-year-old boy. The mother came to receive me and my housemate, Christian, and we got to know each other quite well on the ride home. We discussed a few current issues and realised how even though we were from different parts of the world, we shared a lot of the same ideas. We then indulged on traditional Kenyan food while listening to African music, post which, we watched some Kenyan news, and called it a day. The next morning was a sentimental one. We had made quite an emotional bond in that small amount of time, so saying goodbye was difficult. After exchanging a few gifts and hugs, we were dropped to the campus for the last day of the conference. - Manit Pansari.
For my homestay I stayed with a wonderful family named the Kagos who were also hosting another delegate. We bonded fast taking about our different interests and hobbies. We played many games and discussed about Indian foods and snacks that they loved. The host family also provided us with delicious food and were incredibly hospitable. Unfortunately, we had only a day together but all of us have formed a bond that will last us a lifetime. - Heya Sanghvi.