Day 3 in Kenya

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Today was Christmas at Mabatini, Mission of Hope School.  We had 340 children rotate through activities, that included a craft, music, story, and recreational games.  I spent the previous day at this school in several classrooms working and teaching alongside the teachers.  Later in the day, I spent time working with two head teachers (one from this school and one from a neighboring school) to talk about new strategies they could use in the classroom. 

In their school the children stay in the same room and the teachers rotate.  That would eliminate the need for lockers or passing periods.  Do you think this would work in our schools?  Much of their work is done orally, that means that they all memorize the same information and repeat it together.  Each level has a test that must be passed before you can move on to the next level or grade.  One other think I enjoyed was the way the students greeted their teachers.  The said in unison, "Good morning to you.  We love our school, we love our teacher, I will work hard and stay strong to learn my lessons."

This was their last day of school and we had a graduation celebration at the church for the younger students advancing to the next level.   We climbed the hill to the church, past a large pile of rocks that blocked the road, beyond the ever-growing pile of garbage, through a herd of goats to the ceremony.   Complete with graduation cap and gown, cake, songs and poems performed by the students, pictures, and even a short congratulatory, encouragement speech from Mrs. Mar.  The community was very welcoming and receptive to our interactions with the school, and thankful for  the food baskets we had spent the afternoon preparing for them to take home over their break. 

Our team had raised money from many caring people who live in Wichita to be able to provide food baskets that contained food for about 1 week for the children while they are on their school month long break.  Many of these children get one balanced meal a day from their school.  So they were very happy with the gift of corn, green maze, rice, flour, sugar, and oil.  The children were overjoyed by the cake at their graduation.  Each child had one small bite.  Yes, bite. 

The poverty is unlike anything you can imagine.  The traffic is absolute chaos.  I will talk with you when I return more about my experiences.  Perform to excellence in my absence.  Until next time. Love Mrs. Mar