The EACDT has 12 dedicated, passionate coaches, the majority of whom come from similar backgrounds to the children they teach and coach.
All are active cricketers. Some came through a similar development programme from the age of six, and some went on to play for Kenya (Sarah and Margaret still do).
They all share the conviction that enhancing an individual’s character through team sport can mean a better chance of a more rewarding and positive life. And they are the living proof of the power of that conviction.
My name is Dolla Abala, I am 27, and have been working for the EACDT for two years.
The best thing about the EACDT? Working with kids and to introduce a new sport to them. It has been an eyeopening experience working with underprivileged kids. And knowing that we can change a child’s life through the program it’s humbling.
My name is Dominic Wesonga and I am 27.
I have been involved with East Africa Cricket and Education since April 2014.
Through discipline, determination and loyalty, I was asked to be part of the programme. This came after I lost my contract with the Kenyan national team. The best thing about the EACDT? Being trusted by parents and teachers that you will take care of their students and children, and give them training that will make a difference in their lives.
My name is Emmanuel Juma.
I’ve been involved with the EACDT since August 2014. I got involved when I was approached after being spotted in our team nets, coaching some new guys.
My favourite moment in the EACDT was the first time the kids we coached enjoyed a proper hardball cricket match: they loved it, and played extremely well.
The best thing about EACDT? It gives kids from poor backgrounds a sporting opportunity to play cricket, which is otherwise an expensive sport to join in terms of buying cricket equipment.
And there’s also the Character Education aspect of the program, which I’ve seen change the lives (academic and otherwise) of some of the kids who are part of it.
I am Joshua Odiwuor Oyieko, and I am 36.
I got involved with the EACDT because I love cricket, and want to give back to the society that gave to me. I also like the EACDT program’s goals, and its strategy for achieving its objectives. It has good plans and high moral values and it pays me a good salary!
I’m always moved by how the EACDT gives hope to disadvantaged kids, and helps and empower coaches mentally, educationally and financially. The EACDT transforms lives through sports, and makes them better people in the future.
I am Kevin Mbaya and I work as a coach for the EACDT.
Before joining the EACDT, I used to hustle, doing many things to get a small amount of money to pay my bills and put food on the table.
Days could go by when I wouldn’t make anything. But your family still needs something to eat when you go back home. I could go two months without paying my rent, but luckily my landlord was understanding.
In 2014, my life suddenly got better: I got a job with the EACDT as a full time coach. it was a new era for me and my family: things started changing, from paying my landlord on time to my family getting all they need. My life has completely changed since I got this job, and am thankful to God and that’s my story.
My name is Margaret banja and I am 34.
It’s my desire to nurture new talent that has led to me working with the EACDT for the last two years.
Sport plays a vital role in children’s lives, whether at a social or competitive level. We focus on cricket, but also the character development program. It provides the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and self-esteem and create a positive self-image.
I love seeing kids’ passion and fun when playing the game they previously knew absolutely nothing about; making friends and respecting each other. It opens opportunities – the programme doesn’t only focus on cricket, but on fundamental personality development, along with coordination, discipline and social development.
I am Martin Okoth.
Being raised in a family of four boys and three girls in a neighborhood which produced such great cricketers as Maurice Odumbe and Steve Tikolo made me want to learn the beautiful game.
It was my older brother Lucas and I who would later go ahead and learn the beautiful game. We later learnt about the Kongonis cricket club, which promotes development, and we started training there every Wednesday and Friday.
After training for a long time, I got the call up for U15 selection for Kenya. I later represented Kenya in the group stages, including the U19 World Cup in Ireland.
I was proud to represent my country, and my family was proud of me. Cricket gave me the opportunity to meet people who I would never have met otherwise. I continued with cricket until I secured the job with the East African Cricket Foundation, which deals with cricket coaching and character development.
That’s why I am committed to giving back to society, and sharing my cricket skills with the young stars of the future.
I am Paul Anjere.
I was born and raised in Nairobi (Ngara), where cricket was and still is the common game.
I was lucky in growing up with the likes of Thomas Odoyo, Jimmy Kamande, Alfred Luseno, Josphat Ababu, Alex Obanda, and many more who represented our country in cricket.
It was not hard for me to start playing. We lived next to the Nairobi gymkhana, where after school we went to see the likes of Ravindu Shah and Hitesh Modi practice. My primary school also played cricket under the Kenya Cricket Association (KCA), who employed coaches to work with us.
I’ve been coaching cricket for five years, and I’ve been in EACDT for almost a year and a half.
The seven characters / attributes not only help the kids that we coach, but have also helped me sharpen my life skills in many different ways.
Cricket with the EACDT helps me clear my bills, and has helped me develop good relationships with the teachers and parents of the children that I coach.
My name is Peter Kituku Musango.
Musango. I was born in 1988 in Nairobi, and attended Muranga Road Primary School in Ngara Nairobi, where I started playing cricket in Class 4.
I first knew cricket on our estate in Ngara, next to a cricket stadium (Nairobi Gymkhana) where I used to watch my older friends play cricket using a maize cob as a ball, a tree branch as a bat and stumps drawn on the wall.
I am Joshua Odiwuor Oyieko, and I am 36.
I got involved with the EACDT because I love cricket, and want to give back to the society that gave to me. I also like the EACDT program’s goals, and its strategy for achieving its objectives. It has good plans and high moral values and it pays me a good salary!
I’m always moved by how the EACDT gives hope to disadvantaged kids, and helps and empower coaches mentally, educationally and financially. The EACDT transforms lives through sports, and makes them better people in the future.
My name is Sarah Bhakita, and I am a coach at the East Africa Cricket Foundation.
I got involved with the EACDT because I have a passion for cricket, and would like to see the young ones involved with this lovely game.
My own cricketing hero is Sachin Tendulkar, a great batsman who retains humility amidst all the success.
My name is Newton Muthee, 28 years of age and very passionate about cricket.
I got introduce to the game of cricket when I was 7 years playing with maize combs and palm trees as bat. Slowly I started playing club cricket at the age of 13, at 15 I scored a hundred against a fearsome club, would love to experience such a moment once more but it hasn’t been forth coming. I have played for various clubs over the years currently working with East African cricket foundation (EACDT) just over two months teaching character to young potential children I can positively say I have learnt a lot and I’m more than hopeful that I have and will continue to instill the discipline needed for kids to prosper in life through cricket and the educational aspect of life under the EACDT teaching program which I understand is very essential for the upbringing of youngsters. Now to inspire another hundred seems a dream so close.
My name is Mary Bele Ngoche, I am 39 years old and I have been involved with the EACDT for 4 months.
I started playing cricket because all my brothers and all my neighborhood kids were playing cricket. Cricket was the most popular sport in my neighborhood. Most of the Kenyan cricket greats came from my neighborhood, like the Odumbes, Tikolos, and the Obuyes. The first time I made it to National team, I was literally forced to take part in the training and the trial. I was so much into athletics at the time I never thought of playing cricket in the national level. My very first tournament representing Kenya was in 2001 in Daresalaam and I have never looked back. Joining EACDT has given me an amazing opportunity to share my cricket skills with the kids.
My name is Mercyline Adhiambo. I am 29 years and I have been part of the EACDT team since May 2017.
I am so proud to be part of the few female coaches at EACDT. The best part about my job is seeing just how passionate the kids are about the game. Through EACDT I have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing and talented kids, and I just can’t wait to see how far they will go. Since joining the EACDT team I have seen the difference character education has made in the kids’ lives. They have become more disciplined, more attentive and eager to learn. I started playing cricket in the year 2000 when I was 12, and I have not looked back since. I remember the first time I represented Kenya was in a tournament that was held in Dar-esalaam in the year 2001. I was only 13 years at the time thus every time I see a kid from the EACDT programme being included in the national side, I see myself in them. I thank EACDT for giving me the opportunity to share my cricket skills and knowledge with the kids.
My name is Jane Achieng, I am 24 years old and recently I join EACF.
I started playing cricket in primary school, I used to play other sport like football, but one day I got interested in cricket and I kept on playing being the school games captain made me want to be part of it even more. And little did I know things started getting even more and more interesting because I made it in the Kenya u19 while still in primary school, and I told myself not to slow down so I kept the hard work, I later made it to the national team. joining EACF is just a privilege and a great opportunity to share my skills with the young generation and I also learn more.