Youth Voices: Week 2 at icipe!

For my second week at icipe, I volunteered at the primary school on campus. With the protests in Nairobi and Kisumu, I could not go to the field and start my research. My supervisor told me to find activities, so I thought teaching at a school would be fun!

On Tuesday, it was my first day at the school. I was interested in teaching English, so the head teacher introduced me to the 5th-grade teacher. At the primary school at icipe, the grade is one big class, so 100+ students are learning in one classroom. I tried teaching the 5th graders, but because I had no experience and got thrown into teaching the class immediately, it was an awful experience. However, I got help, and the teacher took over so I could watch how he taught the class and learn how to do the same!

Earlier that day, I met several teachers and got to know the teacher who was showing me around. The teacher gave me Kenyan porridge. It's a thick drink from plants that fills and gives you energy. I also tried boiled white maize. The porridge was okay, but the texture threw me off because of its thickness. There wasn't a huge flavor, but I later found out that this is supposed to have sugar or even lemon to add flavor and sweetness. I loved the maize, however! It was different from the corn at home, but it was still very yummy! I felt very welcomed by all the staff. I also kicked a soccer ball with some students. Besides the embarrassment of my teaching, I had a very enjoyable Tuesday...[CONTINUE READING]