Lutheran Primary Receives Computer Lab

The Children of Kibera Foundation (CoKF) and the Lutheran Primary School celebrated the official opening of a newly-donated computer lab on Wednesday December 2, 2009. The computer lab, the third under CoKF's KiberaOnline Schools project, is equipped with nine computers, tables and chairs.

The ceremony was graced by Elizabeth Penniman, visiting parent and donor from the Potomac School in McLean, VA. Ms. Penniman travels to Africa frequently as the Vice President of Global Advocacy, Public Policy, and Communications for the Elizabeth Glasier AIDS Foundation. Bishop Walter Obare of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya and other members of the local church and school leadership also attended the ceremony.

Around 9 AM, the guests, Lutheran Primary staff, and Children of Kibera sponsored boarding school students, who are home for break, watched as Ken Okoth and Ms. Penniman cut the blue ribbon revealing the brand new computer lab. All the guests filed past the balloons and into the lab and stood by as Ken said a few words about the importance of computer education. Ken also reflected on his own experiences coming from Kibera, a rather inspiring story for each scholar present. Ms. Penniman expressed her pride in and gratitude towards CoKF and towards Ken, who taught her own daughter back in the US. She personally greeted each scholar, encouraging them to continue their educations and pursue their goals. A few other Lutheran staff members expressed their appreciation and excitement for the lab to start running regularly and recognized the responsibility that comes with such a donation.

Following the reception, guests signed the guest book and Ken presented Ms. Penniman with a CoKF T-shirt. CoKF is very excited to contribute to the rebuilding and refurbishing of the Lutheran School and Springs of Life Church community, especially after their church was badly damaged during the 2007 violence. The lab will serve not only the children at the primary school, but the church youth group and other members that come from the far reaches of the Kibera slums. Please click on this link for an album with more photos from the celebration.