Training and Travel!

In August, I got to take two interesting (though incredibly different) trips outside of Nairobi. First, I headed out to our training site in Nakuru, about two hours outside of Nairobi, to test some new training material and help wrap up the end of another session of Kenya Academy Manager training. Last year we committed to a long-term lease on a defunct boarding school, which gives us an entire campus with boarding facilities, a kitchen, and classrooms. In the past, we have only had temporary sites, which poses a variety of problems and generally makes life more difficult. Having a central, permanent site allows us to leave materials, plan specific activities on the campus, etc. It also helps that our site has a beautiful view of the slopes of the Menengai Crater, which is quite lovely.

The field of our training site, with the crater in the distance.

 

We also share the lad with some grazers.

 

Lovely puffy clouds.

 

While at the site, I got to oversee a bunch of sessions, work with the facilitators, and make some plans for improvements. We also tested several new activities, including a challenge meant to test leadership, creativity, and teamwork that most middle school teachers will recognize: an egg-drop challenge.  Trainees were split into teams, and provided with the same set of materials. These included newspaper, tape, straws, and balloons. They were also each given an egg, and told that they needed to create a protective wrap that would allow their egg to survive a multi-story drop to concrete. While we eventually decided that this activity didn't really measure what we wanted it to, the trainees had a lot of fun and celebrate egg survival with a ton of spirit, haha.

 

 

Teams planning the way to best protect their egg.

And building it under the watchful eye of one of our facilitators.

Getting ready for the drop.

And down they go!

 

A major highlight of the training was going out with one of our new academy supervisors on a school visit to a local academy. It was great to sit and talk to the Academy Manager to hear about some of the challenges in her community, and to watch the kids engage with their teachers.

One of our new signposts.

Off to school!

Recognising positive behaviour.

Ipalei, one of our new supervisors, making friends.

Our academy in Heshima, looking lovely in the morning light.

Lining up for the weekly assembly.

Everyone at attention.

Colour guard carrying out the flag.

And putting it up the flagpole.

The kids take time to sing the national anthem before the day starts.

Taking a break from class to run around.

Sassy stance.

Kids can find joy in the simplest toys.

Lovely ladies.

Cheeky little smile.

More play time.

Eavesdropping on another class.

 

Overall, the training was a good experience where I was able to refine some ideas and get excited about my new job. Later that week the term ended and we all got to take a quick breather before it was time for Term 3 to start and the craziness resumed.