final reflection

When deciding on activities to partake in for this years CASL program, I chose activities that would help certain aspects of my personality and my experience grow. I wanted to improve my leadership skills as well as learn more about how I could help Nairobi’s local community. I chose to go on the Shangilia service trip and from that experience I became more exposed and more aware of situations that I previously was not aware of. When I started swim team I was delighted to be named captain and have since grown as a leader. I also wanted to try something new, and since I have always wanted to start kickboxing, I thought this was the perfect opportunity. Since starting, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to every session. When I first started going on the Shangilia service trip, I was rather taken back because it was sad to see such wonderful individuals in such difficult situations, but I realized that rather than avoiding the situation, it would be better to help. Just seeing the smiles on their faces made me want to help more and more every week, and seeing how smart they were when I taught them math was even more encouraging. When I started volleyball, I noticed that I had a talented team but we did not work well together. Judging from the past few games, we have all grown a lot closer and through very hard work, we have improved as a whole and won all of our games. I think that by doing this years CASL program I have grown as a person and I have definitely matured in many ways. I have become more reflective and thoughtful as to how I spend my time. I think CASL is an amazing thing to have, and that everybody can benefit from helping the community or just trying something new. I think that I can take what I have learned and use it many other situations in my life. I can continue to develop as a person and use my leadership and interactive skills throughout my life and career.

Volleyball game

Last week I we (JV volleyball team) played another game against Rosslyn and we won. All of our hard work really paid off, because we played a lot better as a team and our communication has definitely improved. We won the first set but we lost the second, after we played really badly. In the end, we won the final, deciding set. I had a lot of fun playing the game and I think my skill has developed well and I hope to make Varsity next year.

KICKBOXING

I recently started kickboxing with two of my friends, I have always wanted to start and now that I have I enjoy it so much. I have only been to two classes so far but I look forward to my next one. Not only is it really fun but it is also helping to keep me fit. I feel so energetic afterwards, despite how tiring it is. We start off by doing jumping jack, pushups, situps, squat jumps and then our instructor teaches us different kicks and punches. At the end we do combinations of these, which is really tiring.

VOLLEYBALL

I started volleyball after spring break and I have been thoroughly enjoying it. I participated last year too and I really enjoyed the sport so I decided to try out again this year. I made the JV team along with about 12 other girls, who I have started to get to know very well. Our team works together excellently and everyone is very talented. We had our first game about 2 weeks after try-outs. We played against Rosslyn and we won! At first everyone was very nervous and we lost the first set but we won the second and third. Everyone was very happy and our coach even baked a cake for us the next day. I look forward to our next game.

SWIMMING GALA

On the 30^th and 31^st of March I had a swimming gala at ISK against 15 other schools. Since I am the captain of the swim team, I had to help my coach with keeping our team- especially the younger elementary children- quite and in order. I also had to help in keeping the area clean by telling the rest of the team to throw trash away. I had only one race on Friday and then seven on Saturday. I was extremely nervous but it was a fun meet in the end. I was delighted to find that we would receive mall trophies instead of medals. I got 8 trophies, 6 for second place and two for first place. Me and another member of our team swam in a relay with our coach and one of the other parents. It was a different and fun experience. I think that by being captain, I developed well as a leader.

SKI TRIP

During the spring break, I went on the ISK ski-trip to Verbier in Switzerland. There were 25 kids on the trip and I was chosen by the teachers to be a ski-trip leader. We were each assigned a few middle school children and our responsibilities were to get them through passport control and customs at all the different airports. We had to make sure they had all their belongings and passports especially! When we arrived at Les Elfes, we just had to make sure they had all settled in well and were okay. On the way back we had to assist them through the airports again. I can easily say that this trip was most amazing experience of my life and that if I had half a chance I would do it all over again. Not only did I see a part of the world I never thought I would see, I also learned to ski, which was occasionally scary but always fun. I went from never have skied to level three/four. It was an experience I will never forget.

Shangilia

I have been going to Shangilia for the past few weeks and I have really enjoyed this different experience. On our second trip, we had to bring Easter eggs and some toys and clothes as a small gift to the children. I gave them some easter eggs and a much need new soccer ball, which they played with the entire time we were there. I also played some football with them and a few other people from ISK, although I am not good at all, it was fun. I also helped teach some of the kids math and assisted the teacher in invigilating an exam that the older children were taking I had a lot of fun and I think it is a great program and ISK really helps to brighten the atmosphere around Shangilia just by being there. I think that the kids look forward to our visits as much as I do. It is lovely to see the teachers in such a poverty-ridden place always keep a smile on their faces and help the kids no matter what.