Written by Canadian SportWORKS Officer, Rowan Charlotte Stork
Rowan’s international experiential learning experience is funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) Program. This collaborative initiative is made possible through the leadership of the Rideau Hall Foundation, in collaboration with Community Foundations of Canada, Universities Canada, and Canadian universities. Through its promotion of international student exchange and civic engagement, the QES program is helping to grow young Canadians into global citizens while promoting Canada as a destination for the world’s top talent and attracting top talent and international research leaders to Canada.
The month of July in Kenya was just incredible, full of various events, significant moments, and experiences that I will always have with me.
The Cheza Healthy event I attended at CITAM Woodley Sports Day was one of the best moments of the month and I got to present our activity as a leader with almost 800 children. We began the morning with a complete stretching exercise to warm up all of the individuals for their sports day. To get the energy really flowing we ended up with a 10 minute follow the leader exercise, it was so cool to be the leader. All was worth it as the kids smiled, laughed and were pure joy. Our Cheza Healthy team then gave an introduction, Kate and Phiona spoke further about what Cheza Healthy is and why it is important. Having the kids listening and paying so much attention, whether they were pre-schoolers or secondary school children, made me remember how effective it is when fun is mixed with health education.
The other major event that I participated in was the King’s Baton Relay, its unveiling took place in two parts. I had heard about the planning and design since I had been in Kenya and it was so surreal to finally see it in real life. Part one began with the office of the British High Commission where the King Baton was launched. The first group then walked to Nairobi Tennis Club where we met a few Kenyan national athletes, the president of NOCK, British deputy high commissioner and the CGA Kenya team. I could not believe that in the near future, the same baton I held in my hands would be on the track at Glasgow 2026. I even had a chance to talk to the co-captain of Kenyan men’s rugby team. Sharing stories and experiences of a sport we share a passion for was so unexpected yet a cool thing to do during the day.
Part two of the baton reveal took us to a school in Kibera. At that place, Babra talked to students who were members of Olympic Sport Clubs and informed them about sustainability and the need to make our environment clean so that future generations can enjoy it. Even the baton itself was made in part of recycled materials found in Kenya – a strong message to the world about the environment.
Following the talk we walked and collected litter with the students around the school and the community. The experience of life in Kibera was eye-opening and at the same time, I was able to contribute to a cleaner environment. We ended up with 12 full bags of rubbish. In the school, the day proceeded with a tree planting and seedling donation, then my personal favorite, zumba and aerobics. I am a dancer and it is always fun to attempt to follow the kids.
That was not the end of the activities, we set up a relay race and narrowed it to the last three teams to have a championship round. Then followed a fierce contest at tug-of-war, shouts were heard in every part of the field. The last thing was a huge colour war, the music was playing and the powder was flying. I kept out of the powder this time, but when it was done I went in with the kids and danced again. The atmosphere, the fun and the community was unforgettable. We concluded by serving snacks to the students – an ideal way to end an ideal day.
I also got the opportunity to visit Mathare with Tito and his colleagues in July, which I have described in detail in another blog. This visit was also aimed at establishing contacts to future Cheza Healthy events in the community. Our Cheza Healthy team also had two brief visits in schools before they went on break, we talked to students and teachers about our program. Their excitement to see us back showed that we had hit home.
Outside of work, I eventually saw the Kenyan coast and spent half a week in Mombasa, I was totally smitten. The beach was peaceful, nay, magical. We were in a lovely resort and I found new friends and had memories that I will never forget. I snorkelled and I could see coloured fish and even starfish. I went on a camel ride on the beach, drank fresh coconuts and had some of the best food I have ever had in Kenya. Leaving was so difficult, I swore to myself that the next time I am in the country I would visit the coast.
July also gave me more time to explore Nairobi with friends and to be active, training with a track team, which I started at the end of June. The routines have been challenging but satisfying and it has challenged me physically and mentally. This has also caused me to miss my old track days and has assisted me in maintaining my rugby conditioning when I go back to Canada.
Probably the most memorable personal experience of this month was when my colleagues Babra and Nelly visited me to show me how to cook pilau, which is a Kenyan spiced rice dish. We made a beef pilau with kachumbari, fresh salad which was served with rice and meat. I was attentive to each step and I ensured that I obtained the recipe so that I can share the same with my family and friends at home. It was so fun and cozy to cook together and I am thankful to have such a good friend.
July has been my busiest and most rewarding month so far with experiences that have challenged me both in my career and as a person. I have received the opportunity to take up leadership positions, improvise in new circumstances, and work with so many inspiring individuals. These experiences have taught me more about my strengths, what I am passionate about and how I react to pressure. When I challenge myself, I feel more confident in my skills, more aware of my career direction, and more conscious of the extent of what I can accomplish. Whether it is leading activities for hundreds of students, meeting communities and exchanging ideas with peers, every day has taught me something and given me unforgettable memories. Although my stay here is nearing its end, I am consciously taking my time and trying to enjoy every moment because I know that these experiences will still influence me even after I am out of Kenya. I am not only taking away professional development, but also a better appreciation of the people, culture, and communities I have been fortunate to work with. These last few months have been life changing and I am not going to forget the lessons, friendships, and memories in all I do going forward.
Asanteni sana kwa kusoma! (Thank you for reading!)
Forever grateful,
Rowan Charlotte Stork