Karibuni Kenya

Africa in my heart. It all began by chance in 1995, but perhaps it was no coincidence — our first trip to KENYA, a fascinating land that captures your heart and soul: the colours, the scents, the music, the scenery all around you and above all the people. Africans are special, this population so poor yet beautiful inside, always smiling, gentle and thoughtful. All those little angels with ebony skin who run after you shouting JAMBO JAMBO stole my heart. In 1996 the birth of my son MIRCO stopped me from travelling again, but as soon as I could, in 1997, off I went again, and for all these years up to today my trips have always been KENYA KENYA WATAMU. In 1998 my husband Fabrizio and I met two wonderful BEACH BOYS, DIDA and SALIM, and from there an inseparable friendship was born, a great and deep affection.

During our stay in KENYA we try to spend most of our time with them; we only go to the village to sleep, because it is only by staying in close contact that you come to understand the extraordinary people they are, and the feelings that can arise are truly strong and go beyond distance, culture and language. As the years go by our friendship grows ever stronger; during the year we phone each other even several times a day, waiting for the end of January to be able to leave, because that is the holiday period — since here in ITALY I have two businesses, and one of them is not by chance called KARIBUNI moda (a small girls' clothing shop).

In 2006 we left again, and this time my two children MIRCO and MARTINA, aged 12 and 14, came too — what a sight! The first real holiday all four of us together; the children were astonished by everything they saw around them, because it is only by seeing with your own eyes that you realise reality. Our holidays, which last from 3 to 4 weeks, unfortunately fly by LIKE EVERY YEAR, and on my return to ITALY there is always that strong, oh so very strong ache deep in my heart, the Africa blues that makes me cry at the mere brush of a memory: my children strolling on the beach, the laughter, the dances under the enchanting starry sky, the excursions and the tourist trips to MALINDI with the matatu singing HAKUNA MATATA HAKUNA MATATA. But in 2007 some news gladdens us: OUR DIDA is going to become a father, an immense joy, and the little one is given my own name, FRANCESCA.

During the year we help them by sending € 50.00 ALMOST EVERY MONTH via WESTERN UNION to both DIDA and SALIM; all this is possible for us by skipping a few Saturdays at the pizzeria, so that we can be sure our boys are well. Unfortunately 2008 started badly for KENYA, but we do not give up and set off all the same on 14/02/2008, since our flight was moved three times. We cannot wait to embrace our little FRANCESCA, THE BOYS AND OUR GREAT AFRICA.

KARIBUNI