Laikipia Highlands Games 18-10-2016

Dear Friends

image1After a full moon night
The morning began with a wind that gave wings to the hundreds flags.

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First to arrive our proud builders team – they had spent weeks perfecting the arena:
with a lilth in their step,
moving in synchrony

 

image3– last touches, a post, a rope, a signboard –
Smart in new bright green uniforms
– white caps embroidered with SPORTS for PEACE
our two trees logo growing everywhere – on shirts on overalls, on vehicles – a memory of love and life –
– victory over sorrow, gain over loss –

 

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I stood with my young family for the Mutaro kids Anthem –
our friends our team our children
our neighbours – thousands filled
the fields –
the Illchamus in deep pink shukas scintillating like rose petals,
the Pokot with their wide necklaces, their blacks and orange, the Samburu in reds and golds – joy euphoria, a festive mood.
All shook hands, embraced.

 

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Over a thousands participants sixty two teams and countless to watch.
All the women came to greet Nashipae – and gave her beads – three months old, guest of honour – alert and curious in her mother’s arms.
Her first event! The first of many.

 

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Amani! We shook hands.
The competitions started.
Amani!
Hope for Peace before the elections time.
Another year has gone.
A promise was fulfilled.
Tomorrow has began

 

 

Kuki

From
Ol Ari Nyiro
On the Great Rift Valley of Kenya
The Laikipia Highlands Games (LHG)
Sports for Peace 2016

The LHG are an annual event held yearly at Bogani ya Dume, Ol Ari Nyiro Laikipia Nature Conservancy, on the closest weekend to World Peace day.

The games are in loving Memory of Emanuele Pirri-Gallmann, a young man who loved Kenya, his People and Nature, lived and rests in Ol Ari Nyiro where he died in a tragic accident at 17 years of age.

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