Things at the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) have been going smoothly this week. The high school STRIVErs arrived on Sunday after a long flight and a night in Nairobi. They have been adjusting well to the altitude and the busy service days. After an easy two-miler on Monday, they have all split up into their running groups and are running farther and faster each day. In addition, they have been doing double service days – helping the interns to teach seventh or eighth graders at Kamariny Primary School and Kiptabus Primary School “maths” and English in the mornings and playing games or running with fifth graders at both schools in the afternoons. (Unfortunately, the students at St. Patrick’s High School are undergoing testing this week, so we won’t get to see them again until next week.) When they aren’t teaching or playing games, the high school students are forming bonds with each other and with the college interns or taking training naps in the lounge. Hopefully they will have time to start exploring the town of Iten in the near future!

While the high school students are getting acclimated to their new environment, the college interns are busy planning lessons for the primary schools and integrating the new team members into classroom activities. Additionally, each intern is responsible for preparing one or more “STRIVE Talks” on a subject of their choice. So far there have been talks on African history and the difficulties surrounding foreign aid policies (thanks, Ethan, Aaron, and Jocey!). Tonight’s talk is on flexibility. We are all preparing for a series of Dad jokes throughout the talk because John is presenting tonight. The added duties that have come with the arrival of the high schoolers has only made the interns grow closer and get to know each other better. We have a really good thing going right now.

Tomorrow (Thursday) STRIVE will be attending the women’s 10K at the Kenyan Olympic Trials in Eldoret, which all of the members are very excited for. One of the other HATC residents is competing in the race, so we want to see her do well. Today college intern Ian tried to tell her good luck but she didn’t hear him. I guess that you win some and you lose some. Hopefully Ian will do the losing and our friend will do the winning!