Kenya

Feel the warm sun on your face and imagine wide, grassy plains that stretch as far as you can see. These are my savannas, where tall giraffes nibble on the leaves of acacia trees and zebra families munch on the sweet grass. Sometimes, if you listen very carefully, you can hear the deep roar of a lion in the distance. It’s a sound that says, “This is my home.”. If you look up, you might see my tallest mountain. Its peak has a sparkly cap of snow, which is a big surprise because it’s so warm here. And if you travel to my coast, you can wiggle your toes in the warm, white sand of my beaches next to the big, blue Indian Ocean. I am a land of sunshine, amazing animals, and wonderful surprises. I am the country of Kenya.

My story is very, very old. Some people call me the “Cradle of Humankind” because they believe the very first people lived right here on my land. Scientists have even found ancient footprints left behind in my Great Rift Valley from a long, long time ago. So many different families and communities have called me home. The Maasai people, who are famous for their bright red clothes and amazing jumping dances, have lived on my plains for centuries. For a while, people from a faraway country called Great Britain were in charge of my land. But my people had a big dream. They wanted to be their own leaders and make their own choices. They worked very hard for this dream, and one day, it came true. On December 12th, 1963, I became an independent country. Oh, what a happy day that was. Everyone celebrated with music, dancing, and parades. A wonderful leader named Jomo Kenyatta helped guide my people into this exciting new time.

Today, my heart beats strong for the whole world to see. I am a safe home for incredible animals. I have special parks where elephants can splash in the water, rhinos can snooze in the shade, and lions can watch over their families. These parks help protect them and keep them safe. I am also the home of some of the fastest runners in the world. They train on my hills and plains, and they inspire everyone to be strong and never give up. My story is always growing, and I love sharing my sunshine, my wildlife, and the warm smiles of my people with everyone. I am a place of adventure, friendship, and life, and I welcome you to dream of visiting me one day.