It's All About the Skillz Coaches

The past two weeks have been packed with full day sessions at GRS Kimba.  After selecting our new coaches we welcomed two very special visitors from Cape Town who led our ToC (Training of Coaches).  Jamison (Jmo) and Derek (Mr. D) worked with our staff in Kim and held a week-long training for the new guys and gals.  The fresh batch consists of 17 coaches from Kimberley and 2 from Danielskuil that were trained in the program Skillz 1.2, a pilot curriculum based on our bread and butter Skillz 1.1.

New coaches, staff, and interns on the last day

The week was a sight to see as the Curriculum team worked their magic on an eager group of Kim-Folk.  There was loads of dancing, singing, learning, teaching, more singing, eating braai, more teaching, and teaching-back.  The days were long but with the help of each and every person at GRS Kim we made it a huge success.  Big ups to our guests, Mr. D and Jmo, for keeping the lessons fresh, exciting, and truly enlightening for us all.  Reflecting on the week has been satisfying as the whole team is excited about the potential this new group brings to the table. Snaps!



The video below shows one of our new coaches, Samkelo, teaching-back the activity "Breakaway from HIV". Well done SK!

Tough team challenge, took a while but they finally got it!

Then new blood mixed with old for the first time last week as we had yet another visitor from Cape Town.  Danika, a social worker brought on by GRS to lead coaches in wellness development sessions, graced us with her presence for the week.  She took the coaches through team-building activities for two full days as well as one full day of child protection and disclosure work with the entire Kim staff.  We learned important lessons on how to handle a child that approaches you with a serious problem and what appropriate and necessary steps we must take to address the issue.  The team, staff and coaches alike, grew as a whole as we conquered various frustrations and soared on clouds of fun and success.

The KimTeam would like to give a huge KIIIIILLLLOOOOOOOO to our Capetonian friends for all their hard work and for taking the time to visit and help improve our wonderful site here in the great city of Kimberley.

BIG BIG things coming up next week with Skillz Holiday running Monday through Friday and another HCT on Saturday the 29th.  Check back soon to find out more and follow our twitter (@GRSKimberley) to get more frequent updates about the amazing things happening in Kim!

Coach Spotlight #4 - Neo Molale

***In honor of the new blog, we are kicking off the first week of September with a spotlight on our coaches that have done exemplary work in August. Without further ado, spotlight #4 below***

Comments from coaches and staff about Neo include-

• "always there"
• "high energy"
• "good teammate"

*****Neo has been awarded this spotlight for excellent work during August.*****

Yebo Neo!

Coach Spotlight #3 - Lorato "Lo Lo" Louw

***In honor of the new blog, we are kicking off the first week of September with a spotlight on our coaches that have done exemplary work in August. Without further ado, spotlight #3 below***

Lo going to meet her team at an HIV Counseling & Testing Soccer Tournament at Sweepers Ground.

Comments from coaches and staff about Lorato include-

• "hard worker"
• "consistent"
• "works well with other coaches"

*****Lorato has been awarded this spotlight for excellent work during August.*****

Keep it going LO!

Coach Spotlight #2 - Sonko Riet

***In honor of the new blog, we will be kicking off the first week of September with a spotlight on our coaches that have done exemplary work in August. Without further ado, spotlight #2 below***

 

Sonko running a pre test for Skillz 1.1

Comments from coaches and staff about Sonko include-

• "he is someone you can rely on"
• "always on time"
• "never complains"

*****Sonko has been awarded this spotlight for excellent work during August.*****

Somebody give Sonko a KILOOOO!

Coach Spotlight #1 - Peter "Boetie B" Beyers

***In honor of the new blog, we will be kicking off the first week of September with a spotlight on our coaches that have done exemplary work in August. Without further ado, spotlight #1 below***

 

Boetie B front and center going over the rules at an HCT Soccer Tournament in Danielskuil

Comments from coaches and staff about Boetie B include-

• "he takes charge"
• "if there is a problem with a teacher he will talk to them to work things out"
• "brings high energy for the children"

*****Boetie B has been awarded this spotlight for excellent work during August.*****

Congratulations Boetie B!