Written by Canadian SportWORKS Officer, Jenna Sherrington
Karibuni sana everyone! In Swahili, jana means “yesterday,” and — funny enough — it’s pronounced almost exactly like “Jenna.” So, every time I introduce myself here, someone inevitably says, “Oh! Like yesterday!” And honestly? It does feel like yesterday that I arrived in Nairobi… even though it’s been three months. I can’t believe my time here is coming to an end. While I’m excited to head home and see my friends and family again, a big part of me isn’t ready to leave behind the amazing people, experiences, and growth that came with this journey.
As my last blog post while actually being in Kenya, I want to share a bit about what we’ve been up to these past few weeks — and there’s a lot! March was full-on. Luna called her post March Madness, and I couldn’t think of a more accurate description. We had Cheza Healthy events almost every week — sometimes more than one — and each one brought its own energy, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
Cheza Healthy, for those who don’t know, is a partnership between Commonwealth Sport Kenya, Commonwealth Sport Canada, and the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program. Our mission? To promote physical activity as a way of preventing non-communicable diseases — especially among school-aged kids — and to encourage them to build communities around sport, movement, and the Olympic values of Friendship, Respect, and Excellence.
Throughout March, we reached over 1,200 students in primary and secondary schools and shared the Cheza Healthy message with more than 300,000 people online. Our events included school visits, dance competitions, interactive talks, and the rollout of the Olympic Clubs program — a long-term initiative designed to keep the momentum going long after we’re gone.
One of my favorite events was at Lavington Girls School, where I had the chance to organize and facilitate the entire event. I’ll be honest — I was nervous. Just before we began, I learned that most of the Cheza Healthy team wasn’t going to make it. Some had planned to speak or lead sessions, and suddenly those roles fell on me. But with the amazing support of Luna, Martin, and Jairus, we pulled together a meaningful, engaging event. Special thanks to Melissah, one of the teachers at Lavington — her help was essential.
Jairus gave an incredible talk on environmental stewardship, and I shared my own story from my time competing in biathlon on the Canadian national team. I did a Q&A with the students, which was a huge step for me personally — I actually cried before the event started, but Jairus gave me a much needed hug that helped. Luckily by the end, I was enjoying myself. The event wrapped up with tree planting as part of the LEA Movement, which focuses on community and environmental care.
That wasn’t our only big day. Earlier in the month, we were invited to Moi Girls School during the Kibera Sub County Championships. On March 7th, we opened the day with group stretches, fun dances, and talks about nutrition and injury prevention. We returned the next day for the closing ceremonies, where we spoke about Cheza Healthy and the many paths available to young people who are passionate about sport. I took more of a role in media for this event which I thoroughly enjoyed and now hope to do more of moving forward!
That same week, we attended NOC-K’s International Women’s Day celebrations. Women from various Kenyan sport federations came together alongside young mothers from Mathare, and it was such a powerful day. There were incredible speakers — including a psychologist who addressed mental health, and a gynaecologist who spoke on women’s health — as well as dancing, yoga, and games for everyone. One of my favourite moments was practicing yoga in the sun led by Shantel from MaSCA!
On March 10th, we celebrated Commonwealth Day with students from Visa Oshwal School — the first school to launch an Olympic Club — and S.A. Joytown School, which supports students with physical disabilities. It was so meaningful to see students from different backgrounds come together for dancing, games, and conversations about inclusivity. The Commonwealth Games are unique in that they integrate para-sport events into the main program, and this event beautifully embodied that spirit of togetherness and understanding.
Then came our two-day event at Aquinas High School for the Nairobi Regional Championships on March 13th & 14th. On the first day, I joined Luna and Maya in leading small group discussions about Cheza Healthy. On the second day, Luna and I spoke to everyone during the opening ceremony.
As Cheza Healthy grows, our focus has shifted toward long-term sustainability. In March, we worked on expanding the Olympic Clubs network by reaching out to schools across Kenya. We created a Google form for interested schools and received 170+ responses almost immediately. Looking ahead, there are plans for a national debate tournament on June 23rd — National Olympic Day — and it’s exciting to see how far this initiative could go.
Now, for a few more personal highlights…
While most of my days were filled with time in the office, Cheza Healthy events, planning, or time at the gym (I’ve never run on a treadmill this much in my life — and I hope I never have to again), I made sure to carve out space for some pure magic before I left.
A couple of weeks ago, I booked a last-minute safari through Rustom at Safarinut, and it was everything I dreamed of and more. I stayed at Porini Camp in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy — a remote, stunning part of the Masai Mara. I saw a leopard lounging in a tree with its kill, towers of giraffes, bloats of hippos, prides of lions, herds of elephants, and a few confusions of wildebeests. It was like stepping into a dream — quiet, humbling, and full of life. That weekend helped me reflect, reset, and really soak in everything I’ve experienced here. I was a little apprehensive of going on a safari alone but luckily I met the most wonderfully hilarious couple. Doing the safari with them made the experience even better and all the more memorable.
Throughout all of this, I’ve also been reminded of how powerful human connection can be. I’m endlessly grateful for people like Syd, my classmate and friend from Nairobi, who helped me prepare for this practicum and whose family welcomed me so warmly. Meeting his brother Martin and having brunch with him and his friends was such a special reminder that even far from home, you can still find community.
As I pack up and prepare to leave Nairobi in just two days, I’m filled with so many emotions. This chapter has been one of growth, challenge, joy, and so many unexpected moments of beauty. The lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve met will stay with me long after I leave. Though it feels like jana that I got here, this experience will be a part of me forever.
Asante sana, Kenya. I’ll miss you. Until next time,
Jenna