Decisions, decisions

I'm sorry this has taken so long. It is so frustrating not being able to use the internet at home other than for the simplest things. As a result if I want to add to the blog I have to write something, put it on a disc and take it to the internet cafe. The last two visits I couldn't transfer from the disc to the blog. I hope any that were watching have not given up.

So what have we been spending money on?

First, immediately at the start of school we noticed a shortage of English textbooks in each class that I taught. The students were sharing one text among 3 or more, which made reading in class awkward and doing the Exercises difficult. Fast readers waited for slow readers and there was a lot of craning of necks. Assigning homework was near impossible. And so our first act was to buy additional texts and supplementary books so that pairs of students had books between them. Also we bought storybooks for the Grade 8’s, since I believe that reading for pleasure is essential to help students learn new vocabulary, see grammar used properly and to enjoy the beauty of good English. And more recently we bought more storybooks. They are becoming quite popular among Grade 6, 7 and 8 students.

Other spending on projects has been more difficult, for two reasons. First, almost any technology would not be useful past the first breakdown.The school runs on a shoestring and there is no money for maintenance, or for such things as the internet. Secondly, I am still debating whether this school is progressive enough such that it makes sense to make capital investments in it. For instance we have considered contributing to an addition to the school which might house some computers and a library. I need to give this more thought but my thinking at this time that is that the management of the school would not know how to use the area well, to make it a step towards creating a place of excellence. After a couple of years it would just become another dirty school room and I think that would be a waste of money.

So, what have we decided? Well, when we first came to Kenya some 4 years ago our desire was to invest in people. I chose to teach at Scott Theological College because I felt that helping to train church leaders was a way to change the society. In fact, when we left Scott we decided that we would not return there (although we hadn’t been asked), because we did not believe that the administration were concerned about this same goal, but were more interested in expanding their institution.

Our goal has not changed. We want to help people who may make a difference, who may someday impact their world. In that regard, although they are still very young, we have been impressed with 2 Grade 8 girls. They are both serious students, compete with 2 boys for top marks in class and have goals that they could achieve if they can attend good schools. Both come from poorer families and need help with school fees. And so we have arranged to help with fees for these girls. (The boys, by the way, have parents who can afford fees.)
I'll write more about them at a later time.