On December 9th, we held our final workshop of the year with the Muchatha community where we reflected on what we had achieved so far. Over the course of these sessions, we have explored a wide range of topics aimed at fostering both personal and professional growth. During the session participants shared how they applied these insights and how they have positively impacted their daily lives.

Applying Knowledge Acquired

On the topic of stress management, Peter revealed how football has been instrumental “Before our discussions on the stress management topic, I struggled with managing stress. However, after learning that football can be a positive outlet to relieve stress. Instead of succumbing to depressive thoughts, I now take to the football pitch as a way to clear my mind and regain focus.”

Nancy spoke about the impact time management discussions had on her routine. She explained “My newly formed habit for time management was adjusting my time in order to accomplish what I had planned for the day. By starting my day earlier, I noticed that I have more time to focus on my work without feeling rushed, which allows me to accomplish more throughout the day.

As we reflected on the importance of accountability partners, Faith, a mother of one, emphasized the value of having a strong support system. She shared “Surrounding yourself with people who encourage and support both your personal and professional growth is essential for achieving your goals.”

On the topic of conflict resolution, Faith shared how having a third party involved can be instrumental in resolving disputes. “A neutral third party can bring clarity to both sides of an issue,” she said. Peter added that stepping away to cool off before confronting an issue helps avoid unnecessary confrontation, allowing for a more thoughtful resolution later on.

Teamwork was another key topic, with participants sharing valuable insights on how they apply collaboration in different areas of their lives—whether in chamas (community savings groups), family, construction work, or football. They unanimously agreed that teamwork is a crucial part of daily life, helping them accomplish tasks, overcome challenges, and achieve success together.

Bringing Teamwork to Life Through Collaborative Games

Building on the reflective session, we moved into the second part of the day: a series of outdoor games designed to bring to life the qualities we had discussed during the program. Using the ‘follow the leader’ music we divided our participants into two team- Green and White. Games included; Head-Shoulder-Knees-Bottle, Blindfold with Obstacles, Balloon Caterpillar, and Balloon Popping. This engagement was fun, yet purposeful, showcasing their ability to work together and listen actively while encouraging friendly competition.

The White Team emerged as the overall winners, having demonstrated excellent teamwork and strategy, but the real victory was in the mutual support and collaboration that defined the entire day. 

Closing the Day with Gratitude

As the day drew to a close, we gathered in the community hall where we shared a cup of tea and some mandazi’s. This simple yet meaningful gesture was made possible by the generous donation from Mercy Kidera, whose kindness and support helped make the session even more special. 

We also took the opportunity to appreciate the community for their unwavering commitment and resilience, recognizing the Muchatha community not just as participants, but as a core part of our mission and vision.