This is not kwaheri!

It is hard to believe that our teaching time is over with only one day left to cram as much as possible into the heads of our students at the celebration ceremony.
I thought about it a lot this morning on our way to school in our experienced little “private matatu” and felt nostalgic. Kirby asked us the other day what are we going to miss the most when we go back home. Where do I start my list?

I am going to miss the morning bumpy ride to school watching the people outside on their way to work avoiding the crazy traffic. Traffic, where green and red almost make no difference. I am going to miss passing that crooked sign that looks like Gaudi’s creation which proudly says: “Ministry of Roads.” I am going to miss the laughter on the bus where we are discussing the day’s plan, guessing who is going to be in class on time (if anyone) and telling Nancy and Kirby the highlights of the previous day.

I am going to miss our team. Jacky’s breakfast ritual of Wheetabix and 5 eggs, together with his inseparable “twin” Eon with whom he shares not only a room but also singing passion for the Swahili song Yodi Yodi (or something in that manner), and their third brother – the camera. Lisa, our little monkey, who is always ready to climb a tree or a water tower (with me). The petite Rimple, who can be so loud that we all wonder where the voice came from. Barry, whose waiting periods playing Chinese chess and Civilization on his iPod never stopped amazing me but then you have to realize something we were reminded of quite often: This is Africa (and the waiting periods can be long). Of course, I have to mention his amazing skill to learn Swahili, he is definitely the most advanced learner in our group. I am going to miss Eric, especially, when he is copying the dance moves of our fellow Strathmore students – please, ask him to perform the moves for you, it is an unforgettable experience. I am going to miss Kathy, my dear roommate whom I can completely rely on, with the strangest hobby of taking pictures of bugs and incredible skill of mimicking different voices from the YouTube videos. I am going to miss Nancy and Kirby, our project leaders, always ready to give us advice and guard us so we do not do anything silly as we are quite a lively and loud team. I am not going to miss Les (no worries Les, that time will surely come) as I will spend almost two more weeks in the company of this crazy “pink hat wearing, never stop talking” guy on our awesome Skate4Kenya trip from Nairobi to Mombasa.

I am going to miss our class students. Pato, with his colorful and original outfits who tells me at 2 pm:“I cannot work anymore, I am too saturated.” John, who comes to class always happy, playing music and moving around dancing and jumping, never standing still. I am going to miss Daniel, who is always the first one in class, sometimes posing philosophical questions to the others. I am going to miss Frederick and Allan, the inseparable mischiefs, always hanging out together and looking up to each other for approval when they speak. I am going to miss Hillary, the shy but extremely smart and determined kid. And I cannot forget Winnie and Ivy, the two girls in the class who are not afraid to compete with boys and are most determined to open and expand their businesses. Winnie is already running her small business and Ivy rather missed the fun games and stuck with her cashflows! But, even though I am going to miss them all, there is always that hope of coming back to Kenya and eating in John’s Café, buying groceries from Winnie, have my hair done in Ivy’s beauty salon, use fast speed internet in Pato’s CyberCity and visit our two classique barbers, Allan and Fredrick.

When talking about students, I am going to miss our class’ Strathmore co-teaching team. Jasan, who shares my love of Shakespeare. John, who always has the biggest smile on his face and you never know what he is up to. Richard and Dominic, the serious ones, always looking smart and presentable (well, they are accountants, after all).

And last but not least, I can speak for the whole team that we are all going to miss Fred and Valentine, our dear friends and Kenyan guardian angels with their big smiles, always ready to show us the cool places in Nairobi, like go to see Kenyan football game (yes, it is football, not soccer!), visit local restaurants with lots of delicious goat meat or take us dancing. The two of them are the best example of how beautiful and welcoming Kenya is and why we all want to come back. But then again, I am fortunate enough to spend few more days with them on our Skate4Kenya trip.

I am going to miss much much more but there is nothing to regret, nothing to be sorry for and the only thing I can say is: Asante sana Kenya!

Last week in Nairobi!

On the weekend the SE101 team travelled to the Masaai Mara for a two night safari. It was a very memorable trip from start to finish. The drive there was very bumpy to say the least. I was able to sleep for the first hour but after that the entire drive consisted of so many potholes that the road was not even visible! I think we were all very bruised by the end of it. That evening we went on a drive in the reserve and saw many animals. I was surprised that there were so many zebras and wildebeest! We were able to see a lioness and buffalo, which are two of the big five. I was looking forward to the next morning in hopes of seeing the remaining three (leopards, rhinos and elephants).

On Saturday we were in the reserve from 8am to 5pm and were able to see many more animals in their natural habitat. Having never been on a safari before, I was very excited to get the chance to see them in the wild as opposed to in the Greater Vancouver Zoo! My favourite part of the safari was seeing Simba (male lion)! I think the entire team knew that by the end of the day since it was all I could talk about. Our driver, Joseph, was amazing, although at times a little crazy with his driving. When we spotted rhinos, the only one of the big five Barry had yet to see, he drove off the path to get us closer! It was absolutely amazing and we were very grateful since none of the other drivers were willing to do the same.

In the evening we went to the Maasai Village. We were given a tour the village by the eldest son of the Chief. It was a very interesting experience, especially seeing the dance that some of the Maasai did for us. My favourite part was when one of the Maasai pushed Eon in to dance with them! The look on his face, while wearing a hat made of lion’s fur, was priceless (look for a youtube video of it coming soon brought to you by Jacky So). After that we were shown how to make a fire using two pieces of wood and Eric and Eon were given the chance to try to make

one on their own. Although it did not result in a fire, Eric did manage to burn one of the Maasai. After that we decided it would probably be better to leave the fire making to the experts.

By the end of the weekend we were able to see four of the big five. I was a little disappointed that I did not get to see a leopard, but seeing Simba numerous times definitely made up for it. Although I loved every moment of the weekend, I was glad to be back in Nairobi and looking forward to class on Monday.

Being the last week of class is bittersweet because I am so happy to see how far the students have come, but will be sad to see it end. Working with them for the last 12 days has been an experience I will never forget. Having had the opportunity to work closely with all of the students in our class, I have been able to see them develop their plans throughout the three weeks. I am excited for the next few days as Eon, Eric and I will be able to listen to them present their complete business plans. I can’t wait to see how far they have come since the first day of class!

This Is Africa

TIA (“This is Africa”) is the phrase our team says to each other when we experience something unusual here contrary to North American culture. For instance, there are traffic lights in Nairobi but hardly anyone uses them. Instead there are lots of roundabouts at intersections and occasionally there is an official directing traffic but somehow drivers know where everyone is going. Initially when you experience traffic here it seems like the cars approaching from the side are going to crash into you but the driver stops just in time so their bumper is just a few inches away. TIA.

Just a few days ago we had to get out and push our car to get it going. Yesterday after our team dinner Valentine was driving out from the parking spot when we noticed that everyone around us outside was pointing and looking at the front wheel of the matatu as our car slowly petered out along the street. Luckily we were close to a gas station so we could stop and change the flat tire. In the time that we were standing outside while the left front tire was being changed, two KK Security vans pulled up on either side of us. None of us had called security to come, but we were fortunate to have them notice us as foreigners at night, and just their presence made everyone feel safer. TIA.

Yesterday’s class, led by Les, was a unique networking session with all three groups from the St. Aloysius site and ICC. At the start we played some icebreaker games and the human knot which took a lot of teamwork and communication to get our group untangled! The students were then led through a simple game where they could see who amongst our group could be their potential suppliers and buyers for their businesses. The next activity was a thought provoking exercise to encourage the students to discuss their fears of opening a business. Each person wrote down their fears on cue cards which were distributed after we broke up into three groups. As we talked about each problem and came up with solutions to mitigate their fears, I could tell how relieved each of them felt after realizing they all shared common fears. Not only today was it great to see the students help each other out, but even in class the sense of friendship and community is so strong. I particularly enjoy watching Daniel, who previously ran a barber shop, share his business experiences with Alan who also wants to open a barber shop.

Tonight we stayed in a hut before we went out on our Masaai Mara safari. Barry, Eric and I started playing soccer on the grass and soon a Masaai villager, Jackson, came to join us. He showed us his spear, lion tooth necklace and clubs – and the greatest part of this all – he let me throw his spear! Only Kenya... TIA!

Halftime

This week, the SE101 program reached the halfway point, and looking back over the past few days of teaching, I am really starting to see the students developing their business plans, gaining more confidence, and refining their entrepreneurial thinking. It's exciting as an instructor to be able to work with such a group of ambitious businesspeople, and I find that it is not only the students who are gaining knowledge, but I too am learning so much about their lives here in Nairobi.

This afternoon, I was able to chat with a group of students after class, going through the day's lesson, sharing some jokes, and explaining cultural differences (they are still expecting me to ride a matatu during rush hour traffic in Nairobi--hmmm, we'll see about that...). I wanted to get their feedback about how the course is so far, to make sure that they were getting real value out of their time with us. What I was told was that our lessons presented exactly what they needed for their business ambitions-- it was clear, it was useful, and it was actually... quite fun! Getting feedback from the students, whether positive or not so positive, is an important part of our roles as SE101 instructors, and it seems, so far, so good!

The business plans are starting to materialize, and I can see that the students are really taking more time to seriously think through their finances and marketing strategies. I was so impressed to see one of the St. Aloysius students, Patrick, take the time to put some great details into the location of his proposed cyber-cafe. The map he drew described precisely where he wanted to open his business-- and he had researched and found every single residential flat around his desired location. He even took the time to draw in the bus stop just a block away that would bring people to the area and increase his cyber-cafe's foot traffic. Patrick's work was a nice reminder that these business plans are real, and that the students were really putting in the effort to make sure they materialize.

Aside from teaching though, my visit to Nairobi has been full of fun and interesting experiences. Besides being able to see the big sightseeing places like the totally amazing Rift Valley and Nairobi National Museum, I have really enjoyed all the simple things the city has to offer too. During our lunch break from class, I like to take a quick walk down a dusty dirt road to a fellow selling grilled corn/maize in a small stand made of corrugated sheet metal . When I first met him, he let out a huge smile and shook my hand tightly, while sitting on a massive mountain of corn husks. From then on, I creatively decided to call him the "Corn Guy." What I found especially cool was when I wanted to pay him for one of these grilled treats. I handed him 20Ksh, thinking this was the price, thanked him in my horribly broken Swahili, and started walking back. A moment later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and the Corn Guy chased me down to return to me 5Ksh change. I was so pleased to see this act of honesty, as he could have very easily taken the extra money from an naive customer like me! I know where I'm going for my lunch snack tomorrow...

The next half of our time in Nairobi is going to be great, and I am sure that the SE101 team is really looking forward to it.

Working for the Weekend!

[Posted for Barry Le-Duc]

After the first week of teaching, we had a chance to leave the bustling city of Nairobi for a day trip to the Rift Valley, where the first breath of clear fresh air in a week was welcome. The whole team was joined by a few of our local friends: Jacintah, James, and Mickey. Our first stop, along with an overpriced souvenir shop, was to view and take pictures of the beautiful vistas of the Rift Valley which seemed to stretch on and on. Our group then hopped back onto our bus to a site where we were given a tour of an actual archeological dig. Our guide explained how the tools were created by prehistoric man and used to hunt, skin, and clean animals. It was fun to get a chance to create our own tools by flaking pieces of obsidian.

Later after some difficulty driving up a small, uneven and steep road, we went to a Kikuyu village where we waded and swam in a pool filled with natural hot spring waters said to have healing powers. I cut my foot on a rock, but at least it was in healing water. After all our exercise and a short prayer, we headed to an open cooking area where the aroma of grilling goat awaited us. The goat was slaughtered and skinned prior to our arrival but we could still take a look at the hide and some of us picked up the cooked goat head. We then shared in a feast of goat meat, organs, and sausage made with the goat’s intestines and stomach. Accompanying the goat we had mokimo, a maise and bean equivalent of mashed potatoes, and Miti Ni Dawa, a drink made from herbs, which translates to “tree medicine”. After our meal the Chief of our host tribe said some words of thanks, translated by Jacintah, to our team. This kind gesture was reciprocated by a speech from Nancy and a gift of a Sauder pen which was well received.

On our way home we drove past Lake Elementaita where we saw some flamingos and other large birds. I was also told that electricity in the area was generated by geothermal turbines powered by the same source of underground heat supplying the hot springs that we swam in earlier. Just before we parted with the Chief and other members of the Kikuyu tribe, we drove past some very cute children all asking “How are you?” Jackie was able to give one child my last pack of cookies and our team pleaded for him to “Share, Share!” It was a bit awkward to find out that we were on the wrong path and slowly turned around and started to head back into the crowd of children, but it was great to get an encore of them. We were all beat from a long day but happy for these unforgettable experiences.

Knowledge Is Power

After our first week of classes, I’ve begun to realize the addictive qualities of teaching. Day by day, I catch more and more glimpses of understanding and excitement in the eyes of our students, and I’m craving more!

As we reviewed the week’s worth of material on Friday at the ICC location, I realized that despite the rocky start with late registrants and the missing day due to the vote for Kenya’s new constitution, the students were getting it! They were head-nodding instead of sleepy head-bobbing, and calling out answers instead of staring at us wordlessly.

Mid-afternoon when their eyes do start to glaze over and I can sense restlessness under the tent that serves as our classroom, I know it’s time to play a game. I can count on Sam, a young kid with aspirations to be a personal image consultant, to teach us a new game, make us laugh, and energize us for the last stretch of lesson. Sam is a natural leader, exceptionally positive and keen, as evidenced by the amount of effort and consideration he put into perfecting his marketing research survey.

It’s enthusiasm like Sam’s that initially sparked my addiction to teaching SE101, but it’s their appreciation that has fueled it through the first week. It’s a brilliant feeling when a student thanks us at the end of the day and tells us that they’ve learned so much already. One student in particular, Absalom, already owns a real estate software company but now has an innovative idea for a new social business. He told me he thought he had almost everything ready to approach lenders, but after just one class, he realized he needed much more. Many would be discouraged by this, but Absalom is eager to succeed and ready to put everything he has into this business that could make a significant difference in the lives of residents in Nairobi’s slums. As he simply and inspiringly says, “knowledge is power.”

I can’t wait for Monday’s class!

Class party!

The first week of teaching just ended, and we are already at a third of the way through our training program for 2010. Therefore, what better way to crystallize the week's learnings than a party?!

We are running two classes at St. Aloysius this year, based on the students' experience at running businesses. At Martina's suggestion, Lisa, Rimple, Eon, Barry and I brought both groups together for a few hours Friday afternoon. Under the guise of discussing naming and logo of their companies in prevision of the next week's marketing session, we have had the students pitch their business idea in front of 25 of their fellows.

After a week of class, the students are getting more comfortable at discussing their ideas in small groups as well as in front of the class. The joint session was therefore also an opportunity to get them out of the comfort zone again. Also, a study of entrepreneurship wouldn't be the same without elevator pitches! (though I'm not sure the metaphor is quite as effective at St. Aloysius...)

In contrast, it was good to take some time aside from the curriculum and encourage students to let their creativity flow, by having them brainstorm company names and mottos and collaborate on their business plans.

Finally, the joint session was a good opportunity for networking. As we are looking at increasing the post-program support we provide to our entrepreneurs, creating a sense of community within trainees is essential.

The seminar was a great success! Overall, students have made tremendous progress in only a week. Of course, there is plenty of work to be done, but today's seminar shows that they are not alone on the sometimes bumpy road to success.

First Day of Class

[Posted for Jacky So]

Today (August 2) was our first day teaching at ICC with Les, Kathy, and myself. Overall, it was a wonderful experience because of an opportunity to meet bright and talented young entrepreneurs. One of the participants had an amazing idea that he shared with me over lunch. The story was about his passion for baking, be it lava cake, black forest cake, or any cake, he was all about cakes. As we discussed his experience, he told me that his close friends would always invite him over to make cakes. He also does jobs on the side through word of mouth for occasions that would require baking. His location for his baking/catering shop was an ideal location as he explained. The only cake shop around his area has moved away since their building has been demolished.

Closer to the end of the workshop, It was amazing to have him speak in front of the group and have the group provide constructive feedback. As he sat down, I saw the grin on his face from behind. This had a great effect on me to know that he appreciated the whole classes support. He knows that his plan requires additional thought but through the collective feedback process, he might have a chance to make his idea a success. As I saw him get up at the beginning, nervous, and when he got back down after the positive feedback with his arms spread out and relaxed, I felt this was a great start to a memorable first day of teaching. I wonder what tomorrow shall entail.