Kim Henderson Returns to Kenya

Following a very successful Teachers and Young Sports Leaders primary P.E. training in 2007, we were once again thrilled to see the return of Kim Henderson, P.E and Sports Strategic Manager for the London borough of Barnet. This summer’s trip’s aim was to deliver a high quality P.E curriculum for secondary school students and their teachers. Kim again led two top quality courses to  two Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) schools in districts near Runyenjes, Embu. Representative students from nine large secondary schools were engaged in being trained in Sports leadership skills in invasive games and athletics. The students were enthusiastic and actively involved throughout. Here is some feedback from those on the course:
“This kind of training should be carried out in our institutions frequently.”
“You are excellent. May peace love and unity prevail in Kenya and the whole world.”
“This is a fantastic experience.”
“Please come again, it was wonderful!”
Kim continued to astonish the Kenyans with her drive, vitality and awesome agility, not to mention her superb tutoring.

Sports equipment is very scarce in most Kenyan schools. We have used “Alive & Kicking” footballs on each of the courses. These may be sponsored at £9.50
Other needs are for whistles, plastic marker cones, football shirts, skipping ropes, etc. Please help if you can!

The Director of Education for the diocese, Mr Mugo Karuguti was thrilled with the course. He especially liked the idea of developing the Olympic values promoted throughout Kim’s training:- Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Determination, Courage, Inspiration and Equality. The course outcome will help to support the framework of sports activities which will form part of ACK’s centenary celebrations in 2010.

Rob and Katherine

Rob Parson and Katherine Henderson, daughter of Kim, arrived on 25th August. This time I came down to Nairobi by matatu and found my way, with the help of Martin Nyaga, to John and Susan’s in Loresho. Martin always responds to my text/ phone messages, saying “I’m getting near!... I’ve arrived-where are you?”.The terminus for the matatu run is in the centre of town, known as “Tea Room” and is a heaving mass of bodies and bags and a warren of streets and shops. Imagine how good it is to see a familiar face and to be led safely through the crowds to find another matatu which takes me to the Sarit shopping centre, from where I can take a taxi to Loresho. I can just about direct the taxi there now but the first time I entered John’s plot I was thrilled. You have to like cats and dogs if you stay there; well at least it helps; they have 4 dogs and 4 cats. The three old Labradors sleep outside but Jack the Russell terrier has the house as his kingdom, is unshiftable from the master bed, sleeps and sleeps with one eye cocked in order to “hoover” all the food left in all the bowls. One of the cats is very old and blind and wees on the floor if he can’t make it to the litter tray. Be careful when you step out of bed. The other 3 cats also sleep inside overnight if not on the prowl. Come the dawn and they start to roam around and play.

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 En route to the mountain, we were overwhelmed with the welcome from local schoolchildren, dancers, drummers and singers in the field of a rural school in Runyenjes, near Embu. The highlight for me was a superb choral speaking piece called “Peacemakers”, in which the dancers and singers from Plainsview School rendered an appreciation of what the charitable trust had achieved in changing how people cared about their community. I was choked up with tears.

We then had to put all emotions away to get a good night’s sleep in before the drive to Mt Kenya. My stomach turned over and over with excitement and sheer fear at the sight of what we had to climb the following morning.

This year we were thrilled to have the support of the Kitchen Tables Trust donation. This Trust is just amazing; it is supported by John Humphries, who, in his incisive and "non nonsense "way, donates funds to small charities like ours who meet the needs of children, healthcare, sustainable projects, education for all ..

http://www.kitchentablecharities.org/