Being Champions

Wednesday, July 28th 2010. We no longer saw each other as Americans and
Kenyans but as GRO Delegates. We knew why we were here. In four days 36
Kenyan students would be coming for KYLC (The Kenyan Youth Leadership Camp)
and we would be running it.

The next three days had become very intensive. The air around the room that
would become the staff headquarters was filled with pressure and heated
debates. The walls of the room were plastered with large sheets of paper
covered with endless words and numbers.

We had discussed everything from the curriculum to security. No detail was
spared.

It became apparent that American and Kenyan educational values were
completely different. Americans utilize a more hands on learning method
while Kenyans learn by copying from a teacher’s notes and lectures. Because
of that, differing mindsets became apparent between the Americans and
Kenyans. Nevertheless all the delegates worked together towards a common
goal.

Ben had said to us, “In order to advocate, you must first understand the
problem.” So identifying the problems became our primary goal in
establishing the curriculum for KYLC.

We got through the material very fast but the back and forth discussion was
burning us all out. So when the three-day long session had come to a close,
I called everyone up front and yelled for a group hug. Everyone embraced one
another, it was a beautiful sight. With this huge spirit boost we all
huddled up in a circle. In that circle we were huddled and hooting as if we
had been the defending football champions before their fight for the final
cup.

That was my proudest moment in GRO.

- Greg Pollock