Sunday, 12 February 2012

Blog to 5th Feb - Human climbing frames and suspended trainees


Monday 30 Jan – Normal day. Stopped off at Jane’s again to meet her daughter and friend who arrived late Sunday. Also to give Alex his weekly computer lesson.

Tuesday 31 Jan – Normal Day

Weds 1st Feb – Normal day but Trainee suspended late in the day for “persistent insubordination and disobedience” Instructor’s strategy was to set an early example and come down hard to ensure others learn the lesson. We will see it if works. Back at the Orphanage I was greeted by cries of “SIMOOOOON” from the kids at the baby unit so stopped of there for half an hour of throwing them around to a chorus of infectious giggles and being a human climbing frame. Then just to tire myself out fully I did my hand washing.

Thursday 2nd Feb – Following the suspension the staff wanted to run through the rules and check any clarifications. We also deleted that one about if you get pregnant you re expelled. We now leave it to the manager’s discretion on a case by case basis. If a girl got pregnant with 4 months to go of a 2 year course surely she should finish so she is in a better position to raise the kid later? It was a heated debate though!! Later James and I visited an nearby polytechnic called Kiranga. They have a greenhouse and large grounds that they cultivate. They also have an agribusiness course. The Ministry have promised us one too so we went on a fact finding mission. Theirs is 13.5m x 8 m and of the polythene type, we believe we will be getting a similar one. They had a hundred students last year and also take boarders. We had 27 last year. This year we have 60 and they have around 80 so we were quite pleased with the start to our year. We were given a bag full of freshly picked avocados to take away.
Later that evening I met Joyce and Nancy for the second of my weekly Kiswahili lessons. We are supposed to start at 5 but they arrived at 5.45 last week this week it was 10 past 6. Africa time! I am slowly getting used to it. Trouble is after 6 my brain switches off so it was a difficult session and my head hurt.

Friday 3rd – All morning induction but with primary focus ensuring they all know the rules and fully understand the reasons and interpretations etc. Fresh arrow root donated by one of the students added to lunch which was a treat.

Sat 4th – Into Thika for shopping etc. Met one of the staff from Kiranga so went for a drink and a chinwag which was nice. Lazy day around Kandara.  

Sun 5th – Chilled out around the town and did domestics. Economy drive too after the excesses of Xmas and New Year.



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