CLUB PENGUIN is about more than the snowy online world of adorable virtual creatures, which your children are probably mad about. A portion of the profits of this game site goes to support educational and humanitarian work in Kenya, partnering with Free the Children.

Recently, Disney Online Studios, which owns and operates Club Penguin, named Janine Roth of Kelowna as volunteer of the year – and sent her on a Kenyan tour. Roth is both an employee of Club Penguin and a volunteer in Kelowna.

With a group from Free the Children, Roth toured schools that had been build in southwest Kenya. She met many people; saw alternative income projects; visited a tree nursery; helped at the first secondary school for girls that Free the Children had built; and even took a little Maasai warrior training. “These are the warriors known for wearing bright red and for jumping very high,” noted Roth.

The group stayed with the Kenyans at Maasai Mara, and the warriors toured with them as guides and protectors.

“We had discussions with a lot of Kenyans,” Roth said. Most could speak English, having learned it at school.

One hands-on project she enjoyed was helping build a school. “Rocks were vaguely cut out – and we carried them to the structure, mixed concrete and helped put up walls.”

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But the highlight was what Roth brought home. “The biggest thing I took away was an impression of the people of Kenya – their spirit, their hospitality. They are such hard workers.” The school presentations, with the children's exuberant singing and fun-loving behaviour, brought tears to her eyes.

Roth has taken missions trips to other countries, but this one stood out. “I thought I was prepared for the culture,” she said. “But the Maasai culture is so different. They are candid and honest, and let us into their lives.”

In some countries, the culture is presented in singing and dancing, explained Roth, but it’s easy to see the influence of the West. “I did not see that in Maasai culture. They have not travelled and picked up other influences.”

Roth wasn't prepared for the emotional impact of saying goodbye.

Processing the trip, Roth couldn't help compare it with similar excursions. “After some past trips, I felt hopeless, helpless and discouraged. But going with Free the Children made me feel empowered. I really felt I could make a change. . . . If we can get the world to a place where everyone has basic necessities, you have really done your job.”

– Dorothy Brotherton

November 2010