Is Kenya Only About Safaris?
Before coming to Kenya, I often heard the same images associated with the country: safaris, luxury lodges and the famous Big Five.
But I kept asking myself:
Is Kenya only about wildlife tourism and safari experiences?
What about its communities, its environmental initiatives, its culture, its children and the people working every day to build a different future?
My name is Meggie-Jeanne, I am French and I am currently travelling across Kenya. Passionate about nature, environmental initiatives and discovering new cultures, I practice what is known as Slow Travel, a way of travelling more intentionally, seeking authentic experiences and meaningful human connections, far from mass tourism and standardized travel experiences.
After travelling through Indonesia ten years ago and Brazil three years ago – including more than a month immersed in the Amazon rainforest – I decided to discover the African continent, and more specifically Kenya.
I arrived in Nairobi at the beginning of March. The first days were challenging. Between the fast pace of the city, the constant noise and the highly commercial side of tourism, I struggled to find what I was truly looking for: a more grounded, human and nature-connected experience.
I decided to leave the capital and head toward the Mount Kenya region, with the desire to reconnect with nature and contribute to an environmental project with real meaning.
Discovering Miti Alliance
This is how I discovered Miti Alliance through the Workaway platform. From the very beginning, I felt there was something unique about this initiative. I quickly applied, assuming that such an inspiring project must already welcome many international volunteers.
To my surprise, not only was there still space available, but I also learned that I was the first international volunteer to join the project.
What I discovered at Miti Alliance went far beyond my expectations.
I met deeply human, sincere and committed people who genuinely want to create positive impact. Mickaël and his entire team welcomed me with generosity, simplicity and kindness. I was deeply touched by their ability to dream big while remaining fully grounded in practical action.
Being alongside them reminded me that no meaningful project is built overnight. Everything starts with small actions repeated consistently: one tree planted, then another, then another… until one day, it becomes a forest.
A Living Ecosystem Built Step by Step
What impressed me most was the scale of what Miti Alliance has managed to create in only a few years.
What was once almost empty land has progressively become a true ecological oasis: a Miyawaki forest, a tree museum, kitchen gardens, ponds, eco-construction spaces and a complete ecosystem designed around sustainability and respect for nature.
Beyond the physical space itself, I was especially inspired by the educational dimension of the project.
Miti Alliance is not only planting trees. It is also planting knowledge, awareness and long-term change within younger generations.
Visiting Schools and Planting Trees
One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was accompanying the team to public schools to raise awareness among children about trees, biodiversity and environmental protection.
Together, we visited around twenty schools where indigenous and fruit trees were planted with the students in an atmosphere filled with joy, curiosity and hope.
I will always remember the children’s spontaneous energy, their curiosity about cultural differences, the high fives after each tree planted, the songs, the dancing and all the simple moments of connection we shared.
Despite our different backgrounds, we connected naturally around one common action: planting something for the future.
These moments reminded me that the most important changes often begin with very simple actions. Planting one tree may seem small, but repeated thousands of times, it can transform landscapes, communities and even mindsets.
Leaving with Gratitude
I leave this experience with deep gratitude and renewed hope.
Miti Alliance showed me that it is possible to build something beautiful from almost nothing -with patience, vision and people willing to act concretely for a greener and more human future.
Beyond the environmental impact, this experience also reminded me of the importance of simplicity, collective action and reconnecting with nature in meaningful ways.
Thank you to the entire Miti Alliance team for your trust, your generosity and your inspiring commitment.