Friday 26th August 2011 – SDX-Imani are on a roll and only stop on occassion to keep us posted. Big thanks to Catherine, Imani Women’s Group and the SDX-Bristol group…

After an inspirational talk from Mama Mercy the previous night the whole team was fired up for work! In just one morning the Bristol SDX group completed the gabions and diversion trench to alleviate the erosion of the football pitch, measured and cleared a long jump/triple jump track, made a good start on the landing pit, and cleared and levelled the Primary volleyball court. Not bad for 13 people using Jembes (pick axes), Mamotees (hoes), some rickety wheelbarrows and a homemade tape measure!

 

Over lunch a tractor and dam scoop arrived on the pitch, attracting much attention from the locals. Rob Dodson from Wildlife Works passed by as the SDX group arrived in camp and I explained to him about the SDX programme. We had already planned to improve the pitch, but nothing we could have done would have compared to what he had to offer; rather then fill in the ruts and even the ground out as best as we could with our simple tools and enthusiasm, his damn scoop will re-distribute the sandy topsoil and red clay earth to reshape and level the entire pitch, as well as divert a second erosion gully away from the school and pitch. Such a high profile thing in a small community like this is surely a blessing as there can’t be a single household for miles around that won’t know about the SDX now!

So this afternoon the team coached sessions in Netball, Volleyball and the exiting new game of Cricket, to in excess of 100 young Kenyans! The large numbers meant the students had to think on their feet but they delivered great coaching sessions and the improvements in communication, confidence and performance were as plain for all to see as the tractor working its way “pole pole” (slowly) across the football pitch.

The day was topped off by a trip to the nearby town of Maungu, 5 km down the dusty dirt road where it joins the main highway. Maungu is no typical tourist stop, but rather a stop off point for the fleets of Lorries and vehicles that deliver goods across Kenya and Eastern Africa. The SDX students are all aged between 18 and 25 and relished the opportunity to see a little more of Kenya, of the hustle and bustle of people buying and selling, working, eating, laughing and gathering at the end of a long day as the sun began to dip from the sky. On our return to camp just before dark we were greeted by a hearty feast of soup, tasty chicken, rice, steamed vegetables and fresh pineapple and passion fruit -all combining to make this our best day yet!

Below, Simon, the Bristol SDX leader gives us his take on the progress so far….

“BRISTOL SDX UPDATE:

The journey to get to Camp Imani was an experience on its own. The coach journey through the heart of Mombasa and onto the main highway allowed the group to take in the surroundings. We have now been settled for five days at the very picturesque Camp Imani. Mornings are made up of project work at the two local schools. We have completed some flood and erosion barriers in the hope of reducing further damage to the local school and the village’s only social area (the football pitch). We are now finishing off a long jump track and sand pit as well as Itinyi’s volleyball pitch.

 

 

 

 

Wildlife Works, a wildlife conservation organisation which partners with Camp Kenya in the area, have kindly come into to assist in the regeneration of the football pitch. They are generously spending the next few days flattening and reshaping the surrounding area. The pitch at the moment is the social hub for many of the youths in the area and it is important we (Bristol SDX) work with the community and Wildlife Works to enhance this area and provide other sporting opportunities for the local youths.

The coaching sessions we are providing have been well received by the pupils as structured coaching sessions are not common. We are further developing pupils multi skills as well as specialising on a number of sports and have been staggered by their continual energy, passion and unbelievable natural talent. Cricket is an emerging sport in Kenya and Mr Samuel (Itinyi’s Head-Master) is a huge fan of it now too. A few Over’s into the day and the part time choir master is slamming the ball for six over his pupils’ heads as they cheer and laugh from their various fielding positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are relishing this opportunity to assist the local community in keeping young children and adults in school and understand the work that has previously been done here. Last night Mama Mercy gave a talk on what Camp Imani meant to the local community. I have been on the end of some pretty good pre-match team talks and half time pep chats aiming to inspire and motivate individuals, but this was something else.

Mama Mercy has been at the heart of many life changing missions in the area. The area is on the up and our objectives are clearer than ever. The team were so humbled to hear how much this living legend is grateful for us being in her community and how the work we are doing will support this amazing community’s mission.

Every evening we are tired from the long days of project work and coaching these truly gifted pupils, but we can’t wait to get up the next morning and get back out there!!”

Simon Weaver, Bristol SDX Leader

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at 5:43 am and is filed under Gap, Gap Year, Kenya, Project Diary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.