| January 21, 2010 |
In Pictures II – Sailing the seas with spirit of Africa |
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Peace Boat participants had 11 days between Singapore and Mombasa to catch the African spirit from onboard guest educators. Hayakawa Chiaki built up the anticipation for our arrival to the African continent with an almost endless schedule of workshops and activities and the help of her friends Oonishi Masaya of the Sengenya Stars, and Baba Mwatela, chief of the village of Miritini. |
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Ms Hayakawa turned the Lounge Deck of the SS The Oceanic into an African market full of kanga, artwork, jewellery and musical instruments. Over two nights, Ms Hayakawa was able to raise enough money to pay for supplies for the Magoso Center and Miritini School, near Mombasa. As in all of her activities, she wanted people to take a piece of Kenyan culture away with them, not just a souvenir. |
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Participant Karasawa Toshi planned to just give money to support the Mashimoni Good Samaritan School for Orphans (MAGOSO), but she says the pictures and designs were so beautiful, she decided to buy some gifts for family and friends back in Japan as well as making a donation. |
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Kanga, a traditional Kenyan print used to make wraps, bags and trousers, carry different messages, says musician Oonishi Masaya (right). Participant Ikegami Kazuyo was surprised when Mr Oonishi told the messages have a personal meaning and you choose a kanga based on your current state of mind. |
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The trio of talented friends hosted two African music concerts, bookending their time onboard. Ms Hayakawa had been teaching famous Kenya songs – such as “Malaika” and “Jambo” – since embarking in Yokohama, but when Mr Oonishi and Baba Mwatela joined the voyage from Singapore, participants became a part of the band. |
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Participants, after a week and a half of learning to play the djembe and kayamba, showed appreciation to their African guides at the final concert under the star filled sky. |
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Throughout her time onboard the 68th Global Voyage, Ms Hayakawa encouraged participants to appreciate life: “What I really hope is that you try to live better and live life to its fullest. Life is precious. Every single person is very, very important.” |
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