Huge thanks to "Cricket Without Boundaries” .. what a great job they are doing with their cricket coaching in Kenya. In two days with us they will have taught cricket to over 500 kids in four schools.. in addition to training up a batch of over 20 very keen Maasai men and women.
The energy and enthusiasm and great organisational skills of their team has meant that the riotous fun of Pancake Day that started the week at Kimanjo Primary has just continued to the week -end.
In addition to learning a new sport the schools have been expertly, and highly imaginatively , taught about HIV/AIDS infection... the first time any educators have come with boxers and knickers for all teachers and older students (boys and girls) .. boldly entitled ‘Spread the Word Not the Infection.....‘ The girls were so amused there were tears of laughter. The ABC message was very clearly and creatively made. So how on earth does ‘C is for Condom’ transfer to a cricket game? Ooh yes ... Condom = Protection = protect your wicket- Inspired teaching!
Kids here are so quick to learn any new sport being fit, well coordinated and highly enthusiastic that it wouldn’t take long to get them playing a match. Cricket also allows the girls much more equality over the ubiquitous football that tends to dominate the school ‘field’ every break time. The trainee coaches have enjoyed their sessions so much and the coaching has been so good that I am sure we will be able to get some cricket clubs into operation this year.
Both students and teachers are being motivated by the wonderful success of the local Maasai Cricket Warriors at Il Polei- due in no small part to Aliya Bauer their dedicated South African coach and coordinator. These ‘Warriors’ are currently having fun in Mombasa on cricket tour, as a prelude to a tour to S Africa for The Last Man Stands tournament. The Maasai Cricket Warriors’ also promote health messages against FGM and HIV and act as role models for their community: their own AIDS Awareness slogan is "A BALL is my SPEAR and a BAT is my SHIELD in the FIGHT against A I D S"
Sport is such a wonderful way to break down cultural divides and to act as a learning tool for other messages, and there are many great sporting initiatives throughout Africa. But without doubt Cricket Without Boundaries deserves to have all the recognition it can get, not just from dedicated cricketers, for the work they are doing in East and Southern Africa in schools and orphanages opening up a new sport, giving bat-loads of fun, and an excellent AIDS awareness message. Another “Good news Africa” story then? We seem to have many of those this year. After all- it is the energy and enthusiasm in the face of extreme adversity, and the sense of community-that is the main reason for us choosing to be mzungus in Kenya ... and good sportsmen everywhere know a good deal about these qualities.
On tour with Cricket Without Boundaries is plenty of hard work in some fairly basic conditions... but this team are at least able to enjoy a little bit of luxury and a chance to recharge their batteries at The Sanctuary at Ol lentille for a couple of nights. Richly deserved!
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