Aquinoe Learning Centre

Aquinoe Learning Centre

Aquinoe Learning Centre

Aquinoe Learning Centre

Official OpeningThis posting will give details of yesterday’s wonderful events.  I couldn’t get online last night so there wasn’t a chance of writing then.

 

The day started early with a “wake-up” call at 05:00.  We get to Jomo Kenyatta airport with two hours to spare, but after the horrendous traffic jams of the previous two days we didn’t dare leave it any later.

No problem with the flight to Eldoret and we were kindly met by Josphat, the school director and Alfred, a governor and friend of the school.

The two and a half drive to Kitale was along badly pot-holed roads – seems most of the main roads in the country have been upgraded and this one is next in line. 
Tree PlantingAfter a quick stop at Josphat’s house we proceeded over the track to the school, where we were treated to an amazing welcome.  We all toured the school and were shown the new buildings and equipment that the charity has provided.  Josphat’s pride and joy is the Resource Centre, for the children with disabilities, which Linda was asked to open officially.  This was followed by the opening of the boys’ dormitory by me and the planting of trees by all four of us and the municipal education officer another guest. 

The best, though, was to follow.  Many of the children had been asked to come back to the school, despite it being a Saturday.  They had waited patiently, incredibly patiently, for a couple of hours without complaint or messing around.   Several groups performed some and beautiful songs and lovely dances.

Before the end of the performance,  dark clouds had been seen approaching. We had heard in Nairobi that Kitale had been experiencing torrential rainfall so feared the worst.  Fortunately, there were only a few spots before the concert came to an end and suddenly the heavens opened and the pupils were dismissed, all running for cover with their chairs raised upside down above their heads.

The  Rain Comes Down!

Back at Josphat’s for lunch and we returned to the school and had a more comprehensive look around and, at the first sign of a camera, were mobbed by children desperate to have their photos taken.

Jean