Day 8

Today marked the first day of our trip to Kisumu, and it was packed with activity. Our agenda was busy, with visits to four schools and a mix of cricket sessions and impactful conversations.

We’re fortunate to be working with a dedicated team of local coaches, which has expanded our group to 13 or 14 people. This collaboration has been invaluable, as it allows us to learn from one another. The local coaches not only bring their expertise in cricket but also help us navigate language barriers with the children. It’s a perfect example of mutual learning in action.

School 1: Cricket and Critical Discussions

At our first school, we had about an hour and a half for our session. We set up six stations and followed our usual routine of rotating between batting, bowling, and fielding drills. This time, we completed two rotations. One memorable moment came while I was helping with the batting drill—we encountered a cricket during our cricket session!

After the drills, I joined Maz and Beatrice for a discussion with the girls in grades six and above. We talked about the stigma surrounding menstruation, building on the work initiated by the previous CWB trip. It was a special moment when we handed out sanitary pads to the girls. This small gesture will help them stay in school and avoid risky situations, such as engaging with men to obtain these essential products. The impact of these discussions and supplies will hopefully help prevent early pregnancies and keep these girls focused on their education.

School 2: A Challenging Environment, But Cricket Thrives

The second school was quite different. After enjoying a grassy field at the first location, we arrived at a site filled with rocks and construction materials, where new classrooms were being built. Thanks to Maz’s timekeeping, we were early, so we waited until the school break ended before beginning our session.

When we arrived, we saw a group of students already in their sports kit, equipped with their own stumps, bats, and balls. Anil had the opportunity to work with this group, providing more in-depth cricket coaching, while the rest of us followed the same rotation of drills from the first school. One of the biggest challenges came during lunchtime, as around 3,000 students flooded the area. But with some quick thinking, we adapted and continued smoothly.

With the schools in this area being closer together, we even had time for a sit-down lunch at a nearby mall, where our group enjoyed a variety of meals, from KFC to curry.

School 3: Managing Growing Crowds

Our third school visit started calmly, but as more students began to leave their classrooms, the size of our groups quickly grew. One group became particularly large, but we managed to keep everyone safe and included. A standout moment from this school was Gemma teaching a boy with a broken right arm to bowl left-handed—an inspiring example of adapting our approach to ensure everyone could participate.

School 4: Tackling Tough Conversations

Our final stop of the day was an all-boys high school, which always presents unique challenges. We ran the session as the school day was ending, so thousands of students were milling around, watching our activities. Given the crowd size, it was impossible to include everyone, so we focused on the form one students and played four rapid-fire cricket games, followed by a demonstration of a full game.

Before the session began, many of us had important conversations with large groups of boys about issues they face in their community. We addressed their concerns and touched on challenging topics, such as women’s rights and sexual relationships. Some of the boys’ views were difficult to hear, but these discussions are crucial. We can only hope that the messages we’re conveying are getting through to at least a few of them, challenging their perceptions and encouraging them to see women as equals in all areas of life.

Reflecting at Hippo Point

After an exhausting day—both physically and emotionally—we made our way to the beautiful Hippo Point for some much-needed relaxation. Still dressed in our dirty, sweaty kit, we watched a breathtaking sunset and lightning display over Lake Victoria while enjoying drinks and dinner. We gathered around a fire to debrief and reflect on the day’s events. To lift our spirits, we ended the evening with some singing, including a round of “Sweet Caroline” and a bit of “Baywatch” fun, before heading back to rest up for another day of school visits tomorrow.

Verity