Jean and Tina left the U.K. on March 30th and stayed overnight in Nairobi. After a very early start, they flew to Eldoret, where they were met by Alfred Kivisya (the Chairman), Josphat Shaduma (the Director) and Cory Shaduma, (Josphat’s daughter), from where they were driven to Kitale.
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Being met at Eldoret Airport |
The first week in Kenya was spent in Kitale
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Visiting the school
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Looking at the progress made on building the boys’ dormitory
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Meeting the pupils and staff
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Planting two trees
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Attending a ceremony to mark the end of term
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Depositing money for the school in the bank
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Buying two sewing machines, and some other equipment/supplies
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Meeting the Municipal Education Officer
The charity has been funding the construction of a new dormitory for the boys to replace the rather old existing one, so it was really good to be able to see the new building with our own eyes, especially as it is almost complete.
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Two new classrooms have been started |
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Two classrooms are also being built as replacements for some of the old patched up rooms. This is not being funded by the charity, but it is good to see that the learning environment is being improved for the pupils. Clearly more replacement classrooms will be needed in the future, and it may be possible for the charity to contribute to these.
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Front view of present classrooms |
Patched up exterior wall of classroom |
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Tina and Jean were guests at the end of term ceremony and were very moved by the experience. They were both given the honour of planting saplings outside the dormitory that will grow into “umbrella” trees, providing shade for pupils when they wish to sit outside. |
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Jean plants tree with George’s help |
Tina gets down to the job |
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Baby class singing Welcome |
Newton performs with Baby class |
Classes 7 and 8 performing a song about AIDS |
The pupils performed some songs, dances and poems, and were beautifully behaved, despite having to sit in the hot sun for a long time. |
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Classes 3 to 6 with traditional song and dance |
Movie 1 The Welcome song, by pupils in Baby class |
Movie 2 Pupils with a song and dance about AIDS |
We were told that official visitors to the school are expected to attend an appointment with the Municipal Education Officer. Josphat had arranged us to meet the MEO and the local Inspector early one morning. Josphat explained our role and the mission of the school, and we backed up his inclusive policy and our commitment to support the school. The Inspector pointed out that some of the school buildings were not up to standard, but he was pleased to see recent improvements, and emphasised that the physical environment, as well as the learning environment, needed to be good. Other typical images of life at the school are: |
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Washing Clothes |
Ugi or porridge over the fire |
Jimmy drawing water |
Other glimpses of our visit have been captured too. We ate local dishes most of the time including the staple, ugali |
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Preparing to eat the ugali and vegetables |
Mm! That’s good |
The markets were busy places with a whole variety of goods. Here is a small sample. |
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Fruit is very cheap and plentiful in the market |
Empty plastic cartons that people buy to transport water |
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Bananas! |
Shoes, mostly second hand |
More fruit! |
There were some lovely sunsets: |
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Sunset from the school |
Over Lake Victoria |
Darkness falling over the flamingos at Lake Nakuru. |