This first shot is just to set the context...this is the neighborhood where the training is being held - at an Anglican Church in the community of Huruma. Many of our clients live and work in this community.
Hand-made sign on the gate so that our clients will know where we are :)
Striking a pose! These two are both named Peter, but the one on the left we call Mwangi (which is his second name), and they both help in the office - which makes them two of my favorite people!
Virginiah, in the foreground, is one of our loan officers and Esther is the head of our department.
Esther opens the day as she welcomes our clients...
...and asks for assistance from Francis to lead a praise and worship session.
You can see by all the empty chairs that Kenyans struggle to keep time!
Ah, here they come! Samuel is assisting me in the registration process.
Peter encourages our clients from the Word of God.
A few more clients have trickled in!
Meanwhile Abraham is helping with registration...here he is writing the client's name on masking tape as the name badge...pretty clever I think!
...meanwhile Francis is helping Peter by making notes on the flip chart...
..."Seek ye first the Kingdom..." good message! We have a room full of business people - excellent foundation for the lessons we have in store for our clients.
Sam is putting the finishing touches on his lesson on Group Dynamics.
After devotions Virginiah walks our clients through expectations. We need to know their expectations of the day and they need to know what is expected of them.
I love the kids!
Virginiah is a natural...she says it's a calling. I agree!
Esther, Virginiah and Abraham...
Samuel teaching Group Dynamics - I love this topic. It is all about formation and progression of the groups - our clients meet each week in groups of 10 or more of their fellow business owners. These accountability groups are part of what makes our program successful.
Group members are neighbors and often have known each other for years. During the group meetings they make their loan payments, bring savings deposits, resolve issues and make group decisions.
The topic of Group Dynamics is important so that the leaders and members of the groups understand how a group evolves and healthy ways to resolve inevitable conflicts that occur.
Peter and Francis went to get water...yea!
It amazes me how comfortable these people are arriving what I consider to be late! However, we did turn away a few clients who arrived after lunch. They will need to be sure to attend the next training.
Yes, I was really there! And I did more than just shoot pictures...here I am writing a name tag...
...and reeeeeaaaacccchhhiiinnnggg...
...to put it on our client!
Mwangi taking advantage of the water - good for him!
I love when our clients pay attention and take notes...
While Samuel went over his allotted 40 minutes...
...we were outside waiting for tea! Yep, I get a taste for tea every morning by 10am!
Esther stepped in to answer some tough questions, and end the session!
Tea Time! My second favorite time of the day - Lunch time is #1 for me!
Our staff jumps in to help serve...even our 'leader' Esther!
We serve tea (with milk and sugar of course!) and bread with Blue Band (margarine) and jam.
Then our clients find any place to rest and drink and eat...
Finding shade...
After tea rubbish! But, it did get picked up...
Doing COCONUT - here is the "U" I think!
You can see the C, and the O...
Here's another U...
And the T with a smile! This is a great way to 'energize' the crowd...I love it!
Virginiah is introducing Francis by leading the clients in a "WOW" for Francis. First you warm up your hands by rubbing them together, then you clap 3 times - one, two, three...
...then throw the wow! You see Francis receiving the WOW by crossing his arms over his heart. We give a wow as a show of appreciation, so Virginia here is appreciating Francis.
Francis is teaching a session on Marketing.
Marketing is a key topic to help our clients be more successful in their businesses.
Meanwhile Priscilla (a loan officer - which means she facilitates group meetings) and Esther are deep in conversation...hmmm...is this like a 'water cooler' meeting?
Francis is also one of our loan officers...
Our smartest clients realize how critical this topic is and are taking notes.
Time to stretch again!
I think this is the C!
Definitely the U...I had a hard time catching every letter on film...but you get it, right?
Mwangi, whom we dubbed "preacher" captivates the group as he presents his lesson on How to be a Successful Business Person.
He is animated...
...passionate...
and enthusiastic!
And just like a preacher, he went way past his allotted time! We are waiting (not so patiently) for lunch!
Yea! Lunch is delivered...now it's just to wait for Mwangi to finish.
I think our caterers thought I was strange with all the pictures I took. By the way, we always hire one of our clients to provide tea and lunch.
Amazing how Kenyans can talk on the phone while doing just about anything!
I love the way our staff jumps in to serve...I usually help, but decided to take photos instead.
Men group together....
...and women group together...
Lunch consisted of chapati (in my left hand holding with a napkin), beef stew, rice and cabbage. It was sweet (that's what Kenyan's say when something tastes good)
One of our groups that meets on Mondays just used this room for their weekly meeting. This is a new group so all the members are attending the training.
The staff takes time to relax, enjoy each other's company, and let the food digest. It has been a successful first day!
Training days are exhausting, but also fun to see our clients and begin to put a face to the names I work with all day. Plus I am excited that we give our clients this excellent service to help ensure their success, which ultimately leads to a transformed life, family and community.
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