Our journey today started early—7 AM on the road—as we traveled further afield. One of the highlights of the morning was crossing the equator. Naturally, we couldn’t resist stopping for some photos, and we even snuck in a quick game of cricket. It was a great experience: bowling from the southern hemisphere while batting from the north. A few of our shots crossed over into the opposite hemisphere, adding to the fun! We also indulged in a mini science lesson, watching how water spirals in different directions just a few steps either side of the equator.
Our first school visit followed, and by now, our routine is like clockwork. With relay stations set up for bowling, batting, and fielding, we jumped straight into action. I was flying solo this time and had a particularly memorable moment with a young boy who had already mastered the art of the long barrier. Impressed by his skills, I asked him to demonstrate for the group, incorporating his technique into our drill. It’s always exciting to see the kids learn and share with their peers.
The second school was a bit of a whirlwind, with kids ranging from 2 to around 20 years old! This time, I had the help of David, who led the main group while I spent some time with a young girl who had a vision impairment. Although she couldn’t join in the group drill, I gave her a ball and helped her engage in her own way. The smile on her face was priceless, and her classmates pitched in to help explain in Swahili, which was heartwarming to witness. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we had a group of older boys who were “too cool for school.” Yet, the mix of ages made the session feel dynamic and engaging in its own way.
The day became bittersweet as we reached our final school visit of the trip. We decided to end on a high note by having some fun and playing games. I led a session with the school team, while the rest of the group spread out across the field for rapid-fire cricket. My group we ended up with Lions v Chelsea (with their uniforms being the classic Chelsea blue). Chaos naturally ensued as more and more kids joined from class, making the batting line seem endless! But thanks to sharp teamwork between Sorcha, Elvis, and me, we managed to keep everything flowing and ensured everyone got a chance to bat.
After wrapping up with a massive team photo and a quick timelapse of the session, we concluded our final day of cricket.
Post-cricket, we were welcomed by Nico’s family for a fantastic lunch at his father’s home. Nico and his brother gave us a tour of the land, sharing the tradition of each brother building a house on the family land. Nico, being the youngest, will one day take on the responsibility of caring for his father and maintaining the household and land. The land was brimming with sweet potatoes, corn, cassava, and fruit trees, along with livestock. Their hospitality was overwhelming, and we left feeling both full and incredibly grateful for the experience.
Just when we thought we couldn’t end on a more perfect note, Nico surprised us once again. After sitting around with drinks, sharing our ‘pits and peaks’ (though today was mostly peaks), Nico revealed the reason he’d asked for our favorite colors on the first day of the trip. It turns out he and the travel company had prepared a special gift for each of us—a beautifully lined Masai blanket, with our names embroidered on them. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and the perfect way to cap off an already unforgettable day.
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