Nutritional Wednesday
It has been more than a month since we moved to Naari and on this particular Wednesday I decided to join the nutrition team in the field. The morning was chilly and cold with mist covering most of our neighboring forests. This was not helping with my wardrobe malfunction that happened when I tried to sport a long free flowing dress that looked horrifying on me. I came to a conclusion that it was in my best interest to stick to my casual jeans and shirt.
We left home at half past nine and got to Kiirua secondary school early enough and with lots of time to spare. We met with the deputy Head teacher Mr.0 Muriithi and proceeded to the kitchen to meet with the cooking staff. Here the girls explained what they would do and got to it, they took weights of the ingredients used to make the lunch meal which was Githeri. We walked to the nearby Kiirua primary school to do the same and take the measurements of the ingredients they use. In this primary school our visit coincided with the 10 o’clock tea break and it necessitated us to help in the kitchen with serving porridge, working on the ingredients and taking the measurements.
Sarah weighing the kales. Assessment of the weighing scale used at the secondary school
As we waited for the lunch bells to be rang we visited the respective gardens in both schools, these were very well maintained with combinations of vegetables that ranged from kales, collards, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots and orange sweet potato . In addition to this I looked at their three cows (couldn’t help it) and indulged the farm manager and gave commendations and recommendations where needed. We also assisted in the secondary kitchen with peeling potatoes, carrots, onions and preparation of green peas for the staff. The cook mama Ann had never seen that many people in her kitchen at the same time and her work done in such a short time. She definitely will have a tale to tell.
The team admiring the vegetables. Having a discussion with the farm manager on cow management
At around 12.45pm, the lunch bells were heard and the team headed to the primary school to take further measurements and returned to the secondary school where we measured the pot size and food portions per student. When all this was done we headed to the Head teacher’s office where we had a sumptuous hot meal for lunch complemented by various discussions and lots of laughter.
In general, it was a great, quiet and relaxing day with many differences from a standard day with the vet team. I got to learn and understand what the nutrition team does and the activities they carry out and the impact it is expected to bring in the society in the short and long term. In addition to this I got to have a hot meal for lunch and book an early spot in one of the cook house events with the champs that they will be involved in later in the summer. Till then, goodbye and Kenya Hakuna matata!!!!
Sarah and Salome serving porridge. Kira and Catherine engaging the adorable students