I used different teaching methods ranging from front loading , YouTube videos to group work. I like to get them to working in groups so that everyone has the opportunity to participate including the women. I probably have more women on the course than I do men. In group work we looked at good and bad leaders and how our background and tribal afflictions can affect our perception of their status. This was the same process I ran with the pastors over the weekend. It was interesting that the weekends 'good Kenyan' leaders were seen as 'bad Kenyan' leaders by the students and vice versa. However, both are from different tribes and this definitely influenced their judgements. So I learnt something from this process.
As college finished early I returned to the hotel and did some preparation before going for a run round the grounds. I was doing some sprints followed by recovery. The loop included running past some children and every time I went round they said "how are you", I either looked bad or it's the only English they know.
On Tuesday afternoon I launched the Sitotwet Running Club and Linda had cut out letters and put them on white vests, looked rather good. I even got the principal to join in. We did a few warm up exercises, then a short run, followed by hill repeats. We had to run past the school and children thought it was hilarious these Kenyans being coached by a mazungu. Both the men and the women joined in.
On Tuesday over lunch we were discussing the cost of a dowry. In this area it is between 4 to 6 cows the man has to pay (up front) but in Nairobi area it is 99 goats. We are doing negotiation skills later in the week, so I told them to make sure they listen as with some good negotiation they could reduce the numbers of cows needed. They asked how many cows I paid for Linda and were amazed she came free! Although I did get offered 3 camels for her in Tunisia once!
The weather is still warm here, but not as hot as when I was the other side of the hills so it is more comfortable to teach in. There have been a few thunderstorms and heavy rain. This seems to effect the electricity for some reason which means more work on the blackboard as I can't use my projector.
Wednesday was a very wet day in Sitotwet. I think the lecturers or students had been praying for rain so they didn't have to run in the afternoon, as it really started hammering home it down around 2pm. There was also no electricity which made the chapel very dark indeed. We covered a lot of ground today and had some good inputs. I set them some homework, but they don't appear to have understood it fully so I will re-explain it tomorrow and then they can do it again. It was just to set a simple action plan to develop themselves, they knew what they wanted to develop but didn't put it in the SMART format - fail!
It was just rice and beans for dinner today, no meat. Linda will be happy with this when she arrives, although she will want to add some marmite to give a bit of taste to it.
I spent the evening reading the students work and writing the exams for Friday morning. I did FaceTime with Linda and Mara but it was difficult as the wi-if is very slow (like everything) at the hotel. I stayed up late (as we are three hours ahead here) to watch the Chelsea game and then wished I hadn't bothered. Their defending was terrible.
Thursday was another busy day. There was a lot of material to get through to finish the inputs on leadership. I also had to repeat the input on action plans as it was evident from their homework that none of them had understood the input for which I am responsible. This time I used about 7 examples to illustrate the SMART process and they seemed to understand it better, I will find out when I review their re-submissions. I split the day into two, the morning was on using and developing their leadership skills based on biblical principles. They then had to use to that information to complete a leadership task, which identified the type of leader they are. I then used this information to split them into three groups for Friday's exam. This should mean the each group has a wide spread of talents.
In the afternoon we looked at vision, mission, values, SWOT and gap analysis and goals. Although the teaching is in English not all fully understand my English and therefore sometimes it is difficult getting across these technical points. I will find out in the exam on Friday how successful I have been. However, the students are always enthusiastic.
The students had not been praying hard enough for rain today as it was sunny this gave us the opportunity for the second outing of the Sitotwet Running Club. This time it was more exercise based introducing them to the joys of jumping jacks, burpees, squats, lunges and my favourite planks! After this we did some interval training, although trying to get them to run in turn was difficult as they all ran off together. However, they all (seemed) to enjoy the 30 minute program.
It was then time for afternoon tea and following this I decided to go for a run round the country roads. There is no traffic apart from motorcycles and my driver following in the car, making sure that I am safe. The only problem was that it was downhill out which was nice, but it also meant it was uphill on the way back. I ran past a school and all the kids shouted and started running to the other side of the school following me, waving as I went past. The same happened as I came back, although as it was up hill I was slightly slower. As I went round the corner three little children with no shoes on ran with me, or rather ran past me as they were slightly faster.. I ran back to the college and completed a 5k trip. It appears later that evening a tractor crashed into the school building, it's brakes failed but no one was hurt. The dangers of running in Kenya runaway tractors!
In the evening I marked their action plans and they had all got the concept, although a couple were similar to ones I had written. I did watch some football, but only the first half. I may have watched more but the hotel decided to turn the system off so all I got was a blank screen.
Friday was exam day. I had written some leadership scenario questions and the group had one hour to prepare before doing a 20 minute presentation. The only rule was everyone in the group male and female had to present. I had done some washing overnight and it hadn't quite dried so I went and hung it out on the college washing line. It's a nice day so should dry by the time I leave.
The presentations went well, they came up with some great ideas, obviously had understood my teaching. I was well pleased. They handed in their second piece of homework a journal of what they had learnt everyday and how this affected their leadership style. So, I am going to be busy marking over the weekend.
I collected my dry washing and had a chat with the principal. Around 1130 I left college as I was returning to Nairobi to await Linda's arrival. We had a couple of spare seats in the vehicle and a couple of people I know wanted a lift so I was happy to oblige. The road was busy and it took about 4 hours to get back to Nairobi. We did stop for potatoes and veg on the way back, my driver Chris was under orders to get some as they are cheaper in the Rift Valley than in town.
We dropped them off at his house and for were invited in. His nice wife had prepared some rice and vegetables which was very nice. As it was rush hour it took about an hour to get the hotel, The Stanley where I was able to check in. I don't have much luggage as I left it all the the Tea Hotel as I will be back there next week.
After checking in, I went for a walk and visited Java House for a nice cappuccino - well deserved! I then had a FaceTime with Linda and checked she had checked in ok, had everything she needed. She then wanted to print a photo so I was talking her through it over FaceTime and it worked. It is still hot in Nairobi and after being in the countryside slightly claustrophobic. In Kericho there are very few white people, but there are a lot, most staying at this hotel or the Hilton. You can walk around the streets surrounding the hotel and they are crowded, so there will be no running for a couple of days.
Saturday was a more relaxing day. I was up early and went to get my paper to read over breakfast. They have a metal detector and scanner on the entrance to the hotel so they check you every time you come in, even if you have just walked 200 yards to get a paper!
After breakfast I tidied my room as Linda is arriving and it needs to be neat! I then sat by the pool writing my sermon for Sunday based on Exodus 4 God's question to Moses 'what have you got in your hand'. I did have a chat with Linda via FaceTime as she was sitting in the BA business lounge.
Around 1pm my friend James turned up with his wife Grace and their grandson Jayden. We went out for dinner and a chat to catch up. After this I returned to the hotel to do some reading. I did have a session in the gym to work off my dinner.
The driver picked me up at 830pm and we went to the airport to wait for Linda. She eventually arrived, they had checked her suitcase in customs, but only the one with her clothes in, they were not interested in the others which had the gifts for children's homes, prison and churches. We then came back to the hotel.
Sunday was another busy day, we were up early for breakfast and Chris our driver was picking us up at 930am to go to the GSU HQ Police chapel in Nairobi. It was about a 20 minute drive.
We arrived and went through the various checkpoints and then to the chapel. It was good to see our friend Bishop Tunayo and his wife Alice. We had tea before the service and then into church. The service lasts over three hours, with the Sunday school singing and the choir. Linda had a speaking part and then I preached for around 40 minutes.
It finished around 1pm and lunch was provided rice and meat in a sauce. After all that preaching in the heat, it was needed. We chatted with our friends and were able to give Alice a suitcase full of clothes, pens and other things for her work with the children in Northern Kenya. So far we have deposited two out of four cases only two more to go!
In the evening we rested, although Linda went swimming and I did a nice work out in the gym.
The photos have been updated here.