24th February
by Drs Lizzie Kwint and Navaneetha Roopan
The day started with some warm lemongrass (?) pancakes breakfast at the dining hall. A new tutor, Professor Ruchi Badola from WII, was ready for us in Ngiri Hall. For the morning session, we were split into two groups. She asked us to get a pen and a paper. The first group were told to write a sentence beginning with the word “If” and the second to write a sentence beginning with “Then”.
In the end, she randomly paired the “Ifs” and “Thens” from the students. The outcome was hilarious, though some turned out to be life quotes! There were other metaphoric games she made us play before and within each lecture to help us understand the actual scenarios of working with communities. It is a serious business which requires holistic thinking and a Mult dynamic approach. Her classes were both philosophical and fun.
Field trip to see the Maasai’s at Hell’s Gate National Park- This activity was an exposure for the participants to community engagement activities, what it looks like. It was a pleasure to meet the Maasai and learn a little bit/fraction about their lifestyle and the challenges they face. Some of us purchased handmade bracelets sold by the Maasai women, classic souvenirs to take home!
Dinner at Annex near Lake Naivasha- Dining outdoors in the bushes surrounded by zebras, hippos and hyenas! Amazing barbeques and optional alcoholic beverages from Kenya on a chilly night by the bonfire. A true Kenyan delight. Some cars were lucky to spot a hyena and a hippo on our way back to WRTI!
