DAY 9

We had a busy day ahead today, with important meetings fixed in advance, by George, for us to meet a government minister of Education, some lawyers and a contact that Sapna (who couldn’t come on the trip) met at Lord’s in the summer.

So our taxi lady, Martha, took us to the government buildings but because we had no name for the person we needed to meet, we couldn’t get in. After a long wait it transpired that the guy we needed to see was not in the office and actually didn’t really want to see us at all! It was a disappointing start to the day but really one of the only setbacks so far. We decided to go shopping for textbooks instead; a huge range of them seem to be available to deliver the national curriculum, so we couldn’t choose there and then, but it was a useful process. There seems to be a fixation on rote learning and testing knowledge (memory) using multi choice at primary and secondary level, although the level of what needs to be learned is quite high, particularly in maths. One of the things Gerry is keen to see in the new project is introducing different styles of teaching and learning, which encourage creative thinking and improve the capacity of the young person to question and apply knowledge. The new school will also promote more vocational skills that will be useful in the job market, and these will be tailored to suit the community in the Mara.

This afternoon we met some lawyers who advised us on some of the processes needed to ensure the land is properly leased to the school, and that the school is correctly registered with the government. This was very helpful and the law partners were keen to support the project.

Later we met with this guy Sapna had met at Lord’s. He is a local businessman with some useful contacts that we can follow up.

We have just had a delicious meal of home cooked Indian food. I have felt very sleepy now for about 2 days. I find myself nodding off during conversations! I have generally felt a bit better today but I’m still longing for home. I think I feel I have come to the end of my usefulness in the project, and whilst I don’t think I am being a hindrance, and no-one is making me feel that way, I really am not contributing anything to the team. This is quite frustrating really. Also Nairobi is not my favourite place. We were worried tonight by reports that the students at the Uni (many of whom live next to our lodgings) were rioting, which can mean stoning cars etc. Our driver had to take us the long way home. This made for a long journey, and I’m sure she was in fact just deliberately driving a more roundabout route, only to end up in exactly the same place. Anyway, we are safe and sound so all’s well that ends well.

Gradually, my thoughts are turning to what I will do with the rest of my sabbatical. This is a subject that hasn’t had too much thought at all, in the busy end to October and the prep for this trip. Something to pray about I think, as I would not like to waste this gift of time that I have been given. I have had an idea for a project but more on this later ;-)