Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Construction of New Washrooms begin at Red Rose Middle School
The toilet, no matter how much we deny or ignore it, is a prominent part of our lives and our homes. We tuck it away in well decorated rest rooms or cover it in ornate toilet seats and accessories, but its purpose in our lives is undeniable and should be appreciated, not concealed.
This was missing at the new
Breaking the ground.
Grade 5 and 6 had to relocate their garden to a bigger space to make room for the washrooms.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Final Two Scholars Are Off To School!
After two long months of selecting seven bright scholars, trying to change schools, and gathering dorm room supplies, the last two of the 2010 Form 1 Scholars are off to school. Abiba, who is now attending Hospital Hill, and Mohammed, at Aquinas High School, have finally bid their parents adieu and set off for the new school year. Even though they started a month later than the rest, Abiba and Mohammed are sure that they'll soon catch up and advance to the top of their classes. CoKF is excited and proud to have all 21 scholars settled in and working hard. Congratulations Abiba and Mohammed!
Mohammed and his mother waiting to be dropped off at Aquinas
Abiba and her mother checking in at Hospital Hill
CoKF Staff Visits Eldoret!
Over the weekend CoKF staff visited star scholar Philitricia, a Form Two student at Moi Girls Eldoret. The staff wanted to surprise Philitricia to personally congratulate her for receiving two awards, one for her performance in Physics and the other for maintaining an overall A average since she joined the school. Moi Girls Eldoret has recently earned a lot of attention having produced Kenya's top girl in the KCSE national exam, and we have high hopes for Philitricia to follow in her footsteps!
Above is the prize table display and below Philitricia awaits and recieves her awards.
Some talented students provided entertainment during their Prize Giving Ceremony, including the singing troop who were awarded for their performances.
The visiting crew included CoKF interns Joscelyn Truitt and Jacqueline Espana, Project Coordinator Japheth Ochieng, along with our new intern Emily Davenport. Emily is looking forward to developing CoKF's most recent computer lab by working with the Lutheran Primary School's head teacher and the Springs of Life Lutheran Church community so they may access the lab. Emily learned about CoKF through our founder Ken Okoth who is in charge of her study abroad program in Dar es Salaam. Emily will be living and working in Kibera during her one month break.
Above: Emily, Joscelyn, Philitricia, and Jackie enjoying some refreshments and conversation on the beautiful school grounds.
The principal of Moi Girls Eldoret speaking of how proud she is of her girls and how she will continue to push them to even higher heights. Congratulations Philitricia and we can't wait to see you for April break!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Red Rose School Participates in World Read Aloud Day
The Red Rose Children's Centre and Children of Kibera Foundation contributed to world literacy by participating in LitWorld's World Read Aloud Day today! LitWorld organized this event so that over 20 countries could celelbrate the power of words together. This one-of-a-kind event acknowledged the importance of reading out loud to children to develop their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and creativity. The teachers and students of Red Rose particpated by reading recently donated books from LitWorld to celebrate World Read Aloud Day! Students and teachers were captivated by stories in Kibera knowing that the whole world was joining in the fun!
The Nursery Class reads basic sentences aloud together.
Teacher Sophia reading aloud to the nursery class.
Class One reads a short story together.
A Class Four pupil reads a silly super hero book that cleverly uses alliteration to describe imaginary characters.
Teacher Joyce, a very talented reader, shows her captivated students a picture from a book of poems.
Class 2 listens to a story read aloud by their teacher.
Teacher Rose continues her next chapter of Charlotte's Web with Class Six.
NEW VIDEOS
Class 6 Reading Charlotte's Web
Class 6 Answering: "Can Animals Talk?"
Nursery Class's Read Aloud Warm Up
Nursery Class Reads Aloud to Eachother
Teacher Joyce Reads "Amandas"
more coming....
CoKF Announces 2011 HS Scholarship
While Children of Kibera Foundation (CoKF) founder, Ken Okoth, took a short holiday in Kenya, CoKF staff decided to take full advantage and present scholarship opportunities to Class 8 students around Kibera. Ken, Project Coordinator Japheth Ochieng, and interns Jackie and Joscelyn, made their way from Ayany Primary to Kibera Primary and then to Olympic Primary to announce the 2010-2011 high school scholarship opportunity. While Ken inspired and motivated the young students with his own success story, Japheth, Jackie and Joscelyn explained the application process and program expectations. Students asked important questions and enthusiastically screamed “YES” when asked if they planned on applying. CoKF looks forward to seeing those bright faces turn in applications next January. See below for photos of today’s talks.
Ken and former teacher, Mrs. Asego, reuniting outside Ayany Primary
Interns Jackie and Joscelyn addressing Olympic Primary students
Project Coordinator Japheth Ochieng speaking to Kibera Primary students
"You each have the potential to make it to study in New York. Who knows what a skyscraper is?"
"YES! We will go to university!" (Ayany Primary)
Monday, March 1, 2010
CoKF Mom Visits Kibera
I have just returned from Nairobi where I spent two weeks with my daughter and CoKF intern, Joscelyn, in Kibera. During that time, I had the distinct pleasure to spend time with Red Rose Classes 5 and 6 in their new school. I feel honored to have had this opportunity to do some fun activities with the students. Thank you Jeff and the middle school teachers for giving me this time.
On Monday, February 15, I met the two classes. We were all together in the main school room. I had just arrived from Washington, DC where we had been overwhelmed with three huge snow storms that left more than 30 inches of snow on the ground, and here I was sitting in a classroom in a sleeveless shirt and khakis with the temperature hovering in the mid-80s. It was a delightful adjustment for me - I was happy to leave behind the winter weather.
After telling the students about the snow in Washington, I wanted them to understand where I come from. We studied an atlas together, and they each pointed out Washington DC. I was truly amazed at how knowledgeable the students are in Geography. Then I asked them to draw a map of the US as I drew a map of Africa. The students, in groups of three, drew the United States and placed Washington, DC on their maps. Again the students surprised me with their ability to draw the continent and to place the city where it belongs. They also included the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and the countries to the South and North of the US. I then drew a map of Africa, showing Kenya and indicating where I thought Nairobi should be. The students were very polite in letting me know that I had to move the city slightly southwards and a bit to the west! It was a good beginning to my visit with the students.
Tuesday, the students and I played games outside. One of the games was called "Ghost in the Graveyard," a huge hit with the students. The game starts with everyone, but one, pretending to play dead. The object of the game is to remain dead, or totally still - not moving ANY part of the body (even blinking). The one who is not dead goes around trying to make each "dead" person move without touching them. The last person to remain "dead" is the winner. I thought I would surely win - no one could make me move, but alas, I was very wrong. I was probably the 5th person out of 22 students who "moved." It took a very, very, very long time before all the children were "out." Again I was amazed at their ability to remain so completely still (especially under some unusual circumstances)! This game was then followed by a much louder and hand-slapping "name game." Rhythm mattered in this game, and I quickly learned that my rhythm was lacking, but it only made everyone laugh!!
Following my time with Classes 5 and 6, I went with Joscelyn, Jackie and their students from the "Young Kiberans for Change Club (YK4C)", to a panel discussion on Food Security in Kenya. After observing this panel discussion, I decided that I wanted to build a garden with Classes 5 and 6 on the side of the school.
On Thursday, my next day with the students, I arrived with garden equipment for all. We cleaned the yard behind the school and we chose a place for the garden - only to move to another location on Friday. All the children loved working with the tools - some raking, some digging, others clearing all the debris from the yard. It was a great day. By the end of the day, we had not only cleaned a spot for the garden, but we had cleared the area of a lot of trash and debris. The students were rightfully proud of themselves, as I was, too.
Friday was our planting day. We were joined by a friend of Joscelyn's and Jackie's, Dennis, who brought fertilizer for the garden and who also showed the students exactly how to sew the seeds. I was thrilled to have his help, since I am not as experienced as I thought I was. The children planted kale, spinach, lettuce and flower seeds. It was perfect!
Following the gardening, we had a surprise birthday celebration for Teacher Joscelyn and myself, all organized by Jackie and the students. The children made beautiful birthday cards for both of us, and we had goodies to eat and drink. The students also sang and danced for us. It could not have been more fun for all.
After hearing about Red Rose from Joscelyn for the last six months, it was a joy to finally see the school, meet the teachers and spend time with the students. The students showed me nothing but affection and warmth. It was very sad for me to leave Kibera, but I will keep up with what is going on at Red Rose through the website. Thank you all.
With my deepest respect,
Patty Truitt
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