Alarms were set for 5:30 am, for a morning of coaching in Siaya and early night was on the cards but when coach Beatrice returned with the excellent news that she had passed her fellowship we decided that celebrations were in order. The best way to celebrate is to dance and so dance we did.
The easiest dance to learn was the Macarana and I must say I think we did it very successfully (others may disagree). This was followed by Beatrice teaching us the salsa (Tina was definitely the best who then impressed further with her head stand and cartwheel.)
The next morning we were off to a bit of a slow start. I think a lack of sleep was catching up with us all as we tried to sleep off the previous evenings ‘high jinks’. Sleep however proved difficult for most as the bumps in the road gave being ‘rocked to sleep’ a new meaning, Despite this, few were awake to see the sights of Kenyans preparing for their day, farmers attending their crops and sellers preparing bread and corn on the side of the road to sell. Small children waking to school along the main road with woman carrying their wares on their head all whilst watching the sun rise.
We arrived at Segere Primary school at 8:30am, Tina and myself were tasked with batting and a game was set up to let the kids smack the ball. As a bowler, I had been smacked for about 50 6s, and with this I decided that I think my career as a bowler is in tatters!
As the session progressed, one young girl caught our attention and we watched her a little more closely. Not only could she hit the ball well but she commanded the fielding. Every catch was caught and every time she threw the ball I could stand still as a statue and the ball would arrive directly into my hands, I don’t just mean a close throw either, she could throw as far as a football pitch. Coach Joseph was alerted and also was impressed immediately deciding to add her to the team for upcoming festivals.
I think this is a great example of the great work that CWB does for girls for cricket in Kenya as otherwise she may never have been discovered. Truly one to watch for the future, oh, her name? Trema Adhambo !
We then went to Liganwa Primary School which was literally down the road. A school which was close to coach Nico’s heart as his mum went there as a child. The kids were fantastic again and there were so many talented cricketers, I’ve never seen such talented children who had never played cricket before, (and this time it wasn’t because the bowling was bad). This school further emphasised the community aspect when one of the students Moses felt ill and the other children sat round him, wearing coach Dean’s sunglasses (and I must say looking much cooler than Dean does) By the end he was laughing and joining in with the shouting. Not only was cricket delivered at this school but also the importance of the knowledge and education surrounding HIV/ AIDS, using the helpful song of ABC and D (yes you need to sing this when reading the blog), Tina was exceptional in spreading the message of the importance of protection and the need to get tested using the image of the batter protecting the stumps to show the children.
As the session was drawing to a finish, the other children had came out for lunch time. A group of around 20 girls wanted to join in and so we did some high catches, not one was dropped, Tina’s slogan of “catches win matches” was definitely accurate.
To me it was touching to again see a bunch of girls wanting to join in with cricket, the future of Kenyan cricket is definitely bright.
Before we left the kids from the school all congregated around the bus and so Beth and myself decided it was definitely time to take a “selfie” and all the kids huddled in and smiled! After the selfie was taken it was time for a song and dance which was led by coach George and all the children joined in ( I never thought I would enjoy the dancing part of cricket in Kenya but it turns out that it is my favourite part)
The last school was Komolo Primary School, a lovely way to end a brilliant morning of coaching, with an enthusiastic batting game which the children loved !
The dinner time meal (definitely not lunch) (editor note It actually was lunch, but Emily is from Stoke!) was such a heart warming time, we had the delight of spending it at Nico’s fathers home where a traditional Kenyan buffet was served for all to enjoy. The kindness shown will never be forgotten, neither will the information about the history and culture of Nico’s family.
The day ended with us heading to hippo point to see the hippos who on Valentines night were obviously otherwise occupied as the failed to appear. Dean did alert us to an Hippo emerging from the water but this just turned out to be a rock!! Even though we didn’t see the Hippo’s we still had an amazing time, listening to the crashing of the waves, the sounds of laughter and the magnificent views out over Lake Victoria at sunset.
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