Kibera and the Girls Academy

It took us over 2 hours to cross Nairobi city centre to get to Kibera. We were treated to poetry, dance and drama by the girls. We then walked through Kibera.

Lesley writes:

Our first full day in Kenya saw us visiting Kibera. The hotel manager called it “The largest estate in Nairobi”. We were taken to the girls’ school where we have provided football kit and a classroom. As it is the rainy season the ground was nothing but mud which was being taken into the classroom. At no time did any of these children show anything but happiness at being in school and gratitude to their teachers (most of whom are volunteers) for teaching them. They were very proud to treat us to some very poignant poems and drama. All this is in surroundings that the children in our own schools will probably never see. They were so pleased to see us and showed us great respect. Having seen these children I know that it is a link that we have to keep going.

The presentation is of Storm presenting a gift for the building of a new classroom to Habbakuk, the 21 year old volunteer head teacher of the school. The classroom wil allow A level students to complete their courses.

After a quick turn around at about half past two we left for Lake Elimentaita where we would stay over night. After spotting several herds of gazelle and impala on the way, we came across a group of zebra, who obliged us with lots of photo opportunities. Some of the road was still under repair and we engaged the mud of the dirt track. This gave me memories of the last two years. Finally, we arrived at the lake t a perfect sunset after quite a few showers of rain.

Thursday morning. I jogged along the shores of the lake while Iona and Storm practiced lacrosse. Storm has an international match in three weeks. The home where we stayed has 5 dogs, 2 cats, turkeys and chickens. About a kilometer from the House of Plenty street kids home was a primary school. I last visited it with Matt Upsher, my colleague at Hayle Community School. Then only the foundations were laid. Now there is a building for 320 pupils aged 6-14, but they have over 150 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and the class sizes average at about 75. We visited each class to simply encourage them to work hard and make the most of their opportunity. SCI has previously given kit to this school.

Then we visited Greensted’s School, one of Kenya’s top private schools with 280 pupils. After Kibera yesterday, this is in stark contrast. It is where our host, Fran Kaime, teaches. We met their girls’ PE teacher, who it turns out, was at college with Shelley Burne, my girls’ PE colleague at Hayle. It’s a small world.

This is the only available PC with internet access for miles. I am looking forward to food once this is loaded. It is usually chicken, stew, potatoes, chippati, rice and vegetables. Very wholesome. Tomorrow is a football tournament at Nanyuki, a 6 hour round trip.