A friend told me once you go to Kenya for the beauty of the country and not the people – today has convinced the team it is both – Mama Africa provides as the Maasai say.
Nearly 1300 children coached in the first 2 days and I am left wondering where else on earth and with who you could make such an impact with health messages and cricket embracing each other. 3 schools of between 250 and 400 coached just today and the team were passionate and energetic, whilst being adept and reactive to the nature of abstract situations that came our way. Big Jon was casually the 3rd member of a batting station when 150 4,5 and 6 year olds demanded activity and attention with their amazing African enthusiasm. It is like calling up the A Team in one man who broadened his shoulders, trudged towards them with intent and proceeded to run an 80 minute cricket fitness coaching session single handedly. For me and the team a legend was born right there and then and there was much appreciation for saving what could have been a difficult situation.
Hannah seems to rise to each skill of cricket and has an appropriate and eloquent understanding of the AIDS/HIV messages that makes me think of her as future queen of CWB. The passion for enauring the children enjoy sessions is immense and the way she handles large crowds with tenacious calmness and knowledge has won a heart or two. You sit back and think in the midst of this harsh world in which we live – god willing many more like her would make an enormous difference to CWB.
Amanda was another pleasant and calm figure today and reminded me of the colonial missionaries who came here originally to Kenya with such good intent. Khush grasps information and is highly skilled in teaching the young on many occasions and withstood the attention with diplomacy whilst she is an unassuming and skilled coach appropriate to her wonderful past experiences with Middlesex CCC
As for the rest of us lads, too many more days like this and we will resemble some battle hardened coaches on our return home, but you come to Africa with a sense of purpose which always enables humans to continue the brilliance of today with great resolve.
Cinema tonight watching the Cricket Warriors film of the Maasai that our two esteemed coaches have starring roles. Talk about cool, they sit round camp fires herding the sheep, and then nip off for cricket practice on their new ground for two hours. We will be playing a match against them soon and Khush is our secret weapon as a Mike Brearley type character of calm leadership – watch out the Maasai Cricket Team there is nearly 300 years of cricket experience amongst us – and well, experience counts.
4 more destinations tomorrow and probably another 1000 children to coach – Big John and the team are ready and look hard core.
TK
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