Getting sorted at work

 

I’ve had a month at work now and it’s going well. There are things happening on the curriculum front and more plans in the pipeline.  This new group of trainees are getting to know me and my ‘Mzungu’ ways. They were thrilled to know that I also am Maasai.  All sorts of other possibilities are opening up too so life is exciting.

My primary task in this assignment - apart from the never ending task of being less task oriented and more people oriented!! - is reviewing the curricula documented when I was here in 2020/21 and updating it.  Trainers are already coming to me with changes they want so that is going well.  They are not running a mile when they see me heading in their direction with notebook in hand!  Plans for Business Management training are also underway.

The carpentry boys have been busy making furniture for The Plaster House, a rehabilitation centre for Maasai children who have come to Arusha for surgery and need time in a safe place to heal with less risk of infection.  Here they are with 40 wooden stools completed a week ago.

The tailoring students have been assembling the new sewing machines they will be taking home when they have finished the course.  That was cause for celebration with smiles all round.  They have also started making the washable reusable menstrual pads that are so important to help women of limited financial means manage menstrual hygiene.  It should have happened months ago - note: When a man is in charge things important to women can get lost!  We have provided the materials needed to make the pads and each female trainee will get 5 to keep for herself.  Some that the trainees make will be donated to organisations that support women and there is also the possibility of collaborating with an organisation where an Australian Volunteers Program volunteer has been working over the last few months.  Some also will be sold from the centre's 'shop' to fund buying more materials.  We do have to have a sustainable business focus.   

In 2021 the Australian Volunteers Program gave a grant to the Olkokola Centre to enable the creation of an exercise room with gymnasium and physiotherapy equipment.  I have made this video for AVP and DFAT public diplomacy.  I was very happy with it and Sereya’s smile always makes me smile too!

Currently we have a visitor from The Netherlands staying at Olkokola Catholic Mission.  Anna is a pilot with KLM holidaying here to rest and recuperate after a difficult 2 years but also to visit a primary school in Tengeru she set up and funds.  On Friday I showed her a set of The Kagera Reading Program we have in the centre library.  It is a set of 60 laminated reading cards each with a story in English and comprehension questions.  It is like the SRA reading cards we used at school in the 60s (and something similar is still being used at Baimbridge now!)

Anyway Anna’s teachers were very excited and now I have to make three sets for her.  I’m sure the creator David Jackson will be very pleased when I tell him! 

On visa news, my visa application has been approved but I’m still waiting for my ‘Alien Card’ and passport stamp.  Steve will need to pop across the border in January to get a further 3 months tourist visa.

We have 4 weeks until the Christmas break.  Expect an update in early December by which time I hope we’ll have our holiday and visa renewal plans for Steve sorted.

Love from Jenny