BDS Training

If you look closely you can see the hand written sign welcoming our clients to the 2 day training. We booked the sanctuary at African Inland Church in the village of Mlango Kubwa (meaning Big Door). It is located across the road from where our center is.
Our department, Business Services Development (BDS), is dedicated to helping small business owners to be successful and prosperous. Our vision statement is "Economically Empowered Households Leading to Transformed Communities". This two day training is mandatory for every new client who enters our program. When they are successful, we are successful and our vision of transformed communities becomes a very real possibility.

Preparing for our guests, Virginia readies the registration table...
Samuel poses...
And Doug starts the first day with a powerful devotion reminding our clients that there is an unseen battle raging all around us...and even as they conduct their businesses they are fighting the battle of darkness in the Mathare Valley.
As introduction to the training Paul sets up the guidelines/rules and gathers from our clients their expectations for the training.
I love that the women bring their little ones...
With 10 topics total, Joseph starts the event with Characteristics of Successful Business People...
...okay - minor break! Directly behind us (you will see photos shortly) is a preschool...much noise as well as entertainment for me! This is thru the front door into the yard where the children are taking a break...
...back to business! Now, I can only understand bits and pieces of what is being taught since it is largely in Swahili...I think these notes illustrate my point...see how he mixes English and Swahili - that's the way the people talk here! It amazes me how easily they switch back and forth - even throwing in Sheng, which is basically a slang language that is spoken on the streets.
A shot of the audience...as the day wore on the numbers increased...
Tea time! I have to admit I am beginning to anticipate (and even depend on) it as much as the Kenyans! Although I do still ask for a "Mzungu portion"...meaning...don't fill my cup to the brim!

Mamas and their bebes!

This is the 'hallway' between the school and our classroom (to the right you can see what divides us - definitely does not buffer the noise...okay - i could not resist this shot of a little one using the potty!
A bit of an ice breaker designed to get the blood flowing...you know it can get very exhausting sitting in those plastic chairs for hours! This is a fun rendition of "Fishers of Men"...on the 'F' the women are supposed to standupsitdown and on the 'M' the men do it...I love it every time!
Henry (who left us to join the Accounts Dept) graces us with his teaching on Record Keeping.
She belongs to one of our clients and practically cried every time we made eye contact! More often than not the little ones are fascinated by my white skin, but every now and then they fear.
Oh - and the most important room! The choo (pronounced choe) or toilet...the handwritten sign dedicates it to us!
Okay - isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen?
Power! This power strip was strung across the yard to plug us in...and was used to charge phones and power Paul's computer...
Okay - here is the classroom building across the hall...that screen is basically the back or side wall of the sanctuary...
Here is Jane leading us in 'coconut'...for each letter we make the shape (the 'n' has us doubled over)...it is a great and creative way to stretch everything.
Here is Samuel using Paul's computer to teach Group Dynamics...(the computer is on the stack of chairs so Samuel can read the notes there)
Lunch arrives - and I am sooooo ready!

In case you were wondering...there I am!

After lunch, Paul tries to keep our clients awake as he talks about integrity and honesty - key elements for any successful business owner...and one that is not exactly a national value!
Two of our clients come forward to lead us in praise and worship...mostly in Swahili, but I don't mind! Then my camera battery wore out before the final session on Customer Care...I know I know - preparation!
On day 2 Mary opened with devotions...
...sure looks like a preacher to me!
Virginia teaching another session on Group Dynamics...this is an important topic as the cornerstone of our ministry is the groups in which our clients participate. This is where all payments are collected, encouragement and discipline is experienced and, most importantly, they are accountable to each other. So - strong and successful groups are critical to the program.

Paul helps Virginia during the small group discussion time. They are to come up with the vision for the future of their groups...
Okay - another break...is that face appealing or what?
After small groups Virginia calls on several clients to share with the whole group...


Tea time again! Honoratta is next to me and Virginia is at the table...
After tea Paul teaches about leadership...

Lunch, again! Yep - my favorite time of the day!
This is Esther...she was recently hired to run the department to free Paul up to work more closely with Missions of Hope management.
Esther has a banking background and shares with our clients what our 'Credit Policies' are. I like her for a number of reasons not the least of which is that she is a big proponent of documentation - sometimes I feel like such a nag as I try to convince the staff that we must document everything we do! Now I feel I have a real ally!
Above you see a young mom studiously writing notes while her infant sleeps in the chair...below you see a closeup of the baby...
...this lady is from our center. She is actually a student of our tailor, Mary...here she is delivering a head piece that matches my new African outfit...see my entry on Amani and Dan's wedding for the whole outfit!
Honoratta teaching Perseverance...so so important for our clients to remember each day as they perceive so little progress and so much ground to cover...a key Biblical illustration is the faithfulness of Abraham as he waited for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled...25 years of perseverance!
Day 2 ended with a question and answer time facilitated by Esther...but by that time I was headed home! I have a firm rule that I always arrive home well before dark. Since traffic can be very tricky I usually allow plenty of time...my normal commute is 1 to 1.5 hours each way, but you never know what could happen to delay even that long commute!

I pray that each of our clients has benefited from this time spent away from their businesses, their livelihood. It is quite a sacrifice for them and therefore a heavy responsibility for us to make it truly meaningful and significant.