Angaza 2009

Editorial

Rosie-Dilys Complex

This is yet another ANGAZA Newsletter brought to you courtesy of KAG School.

The newsletter provides a highlight of all that happened in our school in 2009. The major highlight has been the graduation of the 1st Standard 8 of the KAG School. Another achievement in 2009 was the completion of Rosie-Dilys Administration complex for the KAG School. The complex now houses headmaster’s office and his deputy, bursar, counseling office, a store, and the staffroom. In 2009 also, the school managed to install electricity in the entire primary section.

In academics, there have been great improvements, and most of the kids have been promoted to the next class.

As in the past years KAG schools hosted teams of volunteers from the Earthwatch Program as well as the Emley African Educational Project (UK) that support our school. We also received sponsors from Belgium who are supporting children at KAG.

In this issue of ANGAZA, you will read about the School Development Plan for 2009 and beyond.

Among our priority projects in the coming years include construction of a community library, fencing, and construction of dormitory to cater for students coming from very poor families without facilities at home. The school is also planning to partner with financial institution in 2010 to acquire a new school bus.

Lastly, with support from Rotary of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix (UK) as individual contributers, a team from Emley village UK visited communities in Msambweni district distributing mosquito nets under our malaria campaign program. The team also carried out First Aid training to teachers as well as tailor made home economics training to our standard 8 leavers.

KAG School Board of Management

• Chairman: Joseph Gathonga
• Manager: Rev. Mohamed Jerumani
• Coordinator International links: James G. Kairo
• Treasurer: Caroline Wanjiru

School Administration

• Headmaster: Harrison Kamare
• Accountant: Alphose Okumu
• Curriculum Heads: Doris Bagubagu; Joyce Njeri, Nelson Ouma
• Student’s Councilor: Christopher Micheal; Christine Mogaka
• Games Patrons: Grace Katana; John Ngugi

Speech by Head teacher during the occasion to inaugurate Rosie-Dilys Administration Block

Ladies and gentlemen

Recalling my Sunday school days we could sing:

This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made
We will rejoice. we will rejoice,
And be happy with it……..

Yes this is a happy day for the KAG.

Ten years ago there was no KAG. But today, we have a school of it’s own class consisting both primary and Nursery sections.

On behalf of KAG fraternity, I am very grateful to our UK network for the far they have brought this school. Apart from celebrating our first graduation for the standard 8 students, we shall witness today the inauguration of Rosie-Dilys administration complex, courtesy of Emley Africa Educational Project of UK. You can agree with me therefore that today is a great day and a reason to be happy.

Ladies and gentlemen, where we have reached today has been collective effort of individual people, churches, charity organizations and of course my dedicated teachers and parents. I will single out a community from Emley in UK who have represented here today by two dear families, Jim and Rosemary, Mike and Dilys. It’s no wonder that we have dedicated our administration block to the two families.

Over the last 10 years, this school has made great achievements. Starting with an initial enrolment of 16 pupils in 2001, today we have 320 pupils (130 girls and 190 boys), giving an increase of more than 20 times.

Among the teachers, the number has moved from 1 teacher in 2001 to the current 22 teachers, all trained.

The school has also made tremendous improvements in its facilities, including offices, classrooms and desks. Today we shall be opening an utra modern administration block for KAG School. The complex consists of headmaster’s office and his deputy, staff room, bursar’s office, stores as well as counseling room. as follows:

Challenges and possible solutions

• Poverty status of the community: Many of our parents cannot raise the annual fee of KSh 13000 (£120) per annum. The school is working to attract more sponsors for the needy child. We currently have 72 pupils sponsored (29 boys and 43 girls)
• Cultural influences: Cultural influence has had negative effect on child girl education. To meet this challenge the school plan to continue with the campaigns to take children to school particularly girls.
• Boarding Facilities: We lack boarding facilities for children from very poor families without any facilities at home. We hope to partner with the private sector to construct them in the school.
• Transport: Relying on public transport compromises the time the child is expected to be in school. We hope to partner with financial institutions to acquire more reliable transport for the school.

Visitors Book

In 2009 our school received a number of visitors, both from within and abroad;

• July 2009: Visit by Msambweni Education Officer, Mr Wachira & Mr. Kandingo
• August 2009: We were privileged to host once again the 2009 Earthwatch volunteers into our school. The group planted commemorative trees.
• November 2009. The school hosted the following members of Emley African Educational Project, UK. Jim & Rosemary Donnan, Mike & Dilys Williams and Shirley Jackson. As usual the team brought stationery, game equipments, bought text books and donated Mosquito nets from Rotary club. They were later joined by friends Claire and Wayne and Mike and Flo from Rotary club

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Scouts and Girl Guides:

In April 2009, the scout group of the KAG School Was officially registered by the Kenya scout Association (KSA). This registration allows KAG School to benefit from KSA including attending annual meetings and receiving resource materials on boy child.

National Music and Drama festival.

In August 2009 KAG participated in the Provincial music festivals in Mombasa where they emerged position 2 overall

Bits and pieces

Chichi: where do sick people get their treatment?

Chiku: to the hospital

Chichi: where do sick horses go to get their treatment

Chiku: in the horsepital

Going to the church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a vehicle

Harrison: do you really believe in superstitions

Bernie: of course not but then it works either way

Guidepost

The warmer the bed the colder the life

Wishing you a merry xmas and prosperous 2010

The Story of my life

The mother of one of KAG School leaver, Amina Said, died while she was in class 4. Amina narrates how despite all odds managed to complete her primary school with the help of KAG board.

Amina during her graduation

As I close my wide eyes, I remember very well when I was in nursery school. This was in Msambweni at Bomani village. The school is Jomo Kenyatta primary. I liked the school very much that I could not miss even a single day. By that time I was only four years old. My class teacher was a polite lady who I loved her very much. When we did promotion exams, I passed with flying colors but unfortunately was not promoted since I was very young.

When I joined class one, life became different. My mother played the roles of both a mother and a father. She was the bread winner and she worked as a forest attendant in a nearby forest station. I learnt for six more years at Jomo Kenyatta with a lot of difficulties that at times we went without food. My parents divorced since I was a toddler. Whenever I asked my mother about it, she said that he died a long time ago and this made me pity myself. I even didn’t bother to know where he lived.

After the six years, an idea ran in my mother’s mind. She went to a friend nearby who was a member of KAG School. She explained her problem and luckily enough, she was helped. I did well in the interview but instead of class seven, I was taken to class four.

My life was totally changed when my mother became seriously sick. This took away my concentration in class. My teachers and friends kept on encouraging me but unfortunately, she passed away before I could complete my primary school. I could not imagine how life would be without her. I thought this would mark the end of my life but my grandmother took full responsibility of us since my uncles and aunts had long died.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Beth Meeds, my sponsor, after full discussion with the KAG management board, decided to take care of us. She paid for our house rent and bought us food on a monthly basis. This made me feel better and I thank God for the far that I have come. I thank God for Beth and the KAG school board for giving us hope when we were helpless. I look forward to joining Secondary School and proceeding to University. Thank you once more for your continued support towards my education.

By Amina Mzee Juma

WHAT OUR SPONSORS SAY

How it’s like to support a child at KAG

The Dutch Experience

Marijke de Boer

In 2004, I joined the Earthwatch reforesting program of Mangrove trees close to Gazi Bay. I had a wonderful time and I learned a lot about these kind of forests. In this period I also met the headmaster of the KAG school together with some children and teachers. In that time the school had only several buildings, and I'm sure that there is much improved now. Back home, my husband and I decided to sponsor a child. It became Hassan. From 2005 onwards we sponsor his education, and we hear all positive news about his progression. So that's great. We are convinced that education is the key to leave behind misery of life. By supporting Hassan we helped to fullfill one of the millennium statements: all the children in the world need education. We feel great that we have decided to support. In this way we hope to read some day that Hassan has successfully finalized his studies helping him and the village to a good future.

The Canadian Experience

The Twins

I had an opportunity to visit the KAG School in the summer of 2007 while on an Earthwatch project in neighboring Gazi Village. We got to tour KAG school and watch several performances by the students. We then presented the school with some gifts - I will never forget the children's reaction to the bubble machine. Their screams of excitement were deafening! While I wasn’t in a financial position to sponsor a child at the time, I knew it was something I wanted to do so I kept the sponsorship information paper on my desk at work for a year… Miraculously it did not get lost! The following summer I emailed Kairo with my intention to sponsor a child and he said he would get back to me when something came available.

A few short months later Kairo informed me that he had not one, but two children (twin sisters Rahila and Raiyan) in need of sponsorship! While the option was available to only support one, I knew it would be impossible to pick just one so I decided to sponsor both. After getting pictures and seeing the faces of both girls I don’t regret my decision one bit! I look forward to seeing them grow and learn in the coming years.

If you want to help a child at the KAG School….

• School fee per child per year is approximately US$ 280 (equivalent to £125 or €185). This money is enough to buy lunch, stationery, uniform, pay teacher and transport the kid to school for one year.
• You can also give a one of donation inform of desks (1 desk will cost £30).
• Sponsors are encouraged to send their support through Mrs. Rosemary Donnan, 15 Tyburn Lane Emley, Huddersfield, HD 8 9SR ENGLAND.Or directly to the school account using the address below:-

• KAG Nursery & Building Project
• Kenya Commercial Bank (LTD) *
• A/C No.: 094 113 121 558
• Swift code : KCBLX

*for a follow-up please let us know when you send donation directly into the school account

An upcountry trip to behold

ROSEMARY AND JIM

Jim and Rosemary at Thompson Falls

Our first visit to Kenya was 1998 with our children then aged 9 and 12. We stayed with Dr. Kairo, a world renowned mangrove expert residing in Gazi village. We met several of his family including two younger brothers Thuo & Chege who were at secondary school. Rosemary, a teacher, took a great interest in their science education and spent many hours helping with homework. For many years we had promised to visit the Kairo’s extended family ‘up country’ and since Thuo and Chege now have their own families felt we should make a special effort this year.

We were fortunate to have Mr. Harrison (head master) and Mr. Isaac (Kairo’s brother) to accompany us. Our departure was delayed by one day due to unresolved vehicle problems and we had to take Kairo’s smaller car which meant access at times difficult or impossible and our itinerary had to be modified. The main Mombasa-Nairobi road impressed us as ten years ago it was in very poor conditions. To avoid Nairobi itself, we took a beautiful drive through the lowlands to Machakos, The land was very green, productive, and hilly and terraced at a height of 1600m. The night passed in a hotel in Machakos was much more comfortable than the torrid heat and humidity of Mombasa.

The next day we travelled towards Kairo’s grandma’s home stopping on the way for lunch at Saba Saba to visit Harrison’s parents in law, wife and daughter. We then passed Karatina, famous for having the largest open air market in Africa. We kept climbing to Nyeri and visited the plot of land that Kairo has recently purchased and planted five small trees to commemorate our visit. The night was spent at his grandparents who are subsistence farmers. This was an interesting experience for us for there was no electricity and no running water (rain water was collected from the roof). Entrance to the farm was steep and muddy so the car was left near the road where it was guarded all night by two boys.

The welcome given to us was overwhelming and we were treated to a banquet of local food eaten in the rather dim light of a kerosene lamp. The farm was on a steep slope and produced coffee, bananas, maize, arrowroots and potatoes. It was good to see the crops growing in an area which had previously been affected by climate change, with rains failing for the past two years, such that the people have had to rely on food handouts.

The following day we visited Lord Baden Powell’s grave in Nyeri and passed through Harrison’s home area but were unable to visit due to the state of the road and our small car. We arrived at Thomson Falls in the rain and stayed the night in Nyahururu in the highlands where it’s much colder and we needed several blankets at night.

Thuo lives near the Aberdare Mountains and the roads there were badly pot-holed making progress slow. Another extremely warm welcome was given to us and two more banquets served. He must have killed the fatted calf! It was good to see his wife and family all doing well. In the morning we headed for Naivasha despite Thuo’s attempts to keep us there. Our first view of the Rift Valley was L. Naivasha., an area famous for flower production for export to Europe.

We met Chege and visited the nearby geothermal power station situated in an expensive game park with few animals. The high light of the visit for some, but not for others, was descending to the bottom of the gorge, aptly named Hells Gate and subsequently moving downstream to find the source of the hot springs. This was, hair raising and dangerous with no warning given at the start, that this would be the case. Luckily, Rosemary decided not to come but two of us, who will remain nameless, had to be carried down a particularly dangerous section.

We had another large meal at Chege’s and met his wife and boys before setting off early next day for the fast drive to Mombasa, a distance of 700km or so.

2009 Emley African Educational Project

Jim & Rosemary Donnan

8th December saw the end of our trip to Kenya for 2009, Dilys and Michael for two weeks, Shirley for one week but Jim and Rosemary managing to extend it to four weeks for the first time.

Feeding the multitude: Tumbe Lepers Center

On the week we arrived, the first class eight of KAG School were taking their final exams. The rest of the school was on holiday until the following week. The three of us took advantage of this to visit Mombasa in order to purchase carvings for the next Africa Fayre once we return to UK.

An interesting expedition to back street ironmongers was next, where we acquired, after considerable bargaining, two treadle sewing machines. Sewing and knitting equipment were next on our buying list followed by a complete set of school books for one class.

The following week we were glad to welcome Shirley, a teacher, for her second visit. Jim and Rosemary were involved in malaria education and awareness sessions in school. They also gave first aid courses to teachers and upper classes that appeared to be enjoyed by all.

Mike and Dilys delivered road safety training to lower primary school and kindergarten children. This course was particularly appropriate after two pupils from KAG School had recently been involved in a bad road traffic accident.

Rosemary, Dilys and Shirley with teachers help, introduced sewing and knitting classes for boys and girls. Insufficient numbers of knitting needles were augmented by using local sharpened grasses! The sewing machines were baptized and hopefully will play a part in future training. Michael, an accountant, spent a day with the school bursar giving general advice. In one afternoon, we spent time distributing food (beans, maize flour, sugar and bread) to Tumbe Leper community.

An exciting day was spent at the official opening of the RosieDilys administration block, which coincided with the graduation of nursery to primary and standard eight to secondary school. Apart from the excellent attendance by the parents, seated for some hours under temporary shade, there were also many local dignitaries in attendance and speeches from everyone including ourselves. There were many and varied performances by the children which went well despite the electricity cut. A generator appeared from nowhere coinciding with the end of the ceremony and power resuming!

On Saturday morning- No rest for the wicked! Jim and Rosemary, with help from visiting paramedics Wayne and Claire, conducted First Aid training for the teachers.

The following week Dilys, Mike and Shirley had to return to the UK but spent one day helping to distribute and install mosquito nets in the homes of the neediest children. Over 200 nets were given to poor children and their families. This project arose following the tragic deaths from malaria in 2008 of Rev. Francis, the pastor and school manager, and a dear friend Rebecca from Gazi. It was made possible by a large donation from Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club UK and personal donations from friends and ourselves.

The malaria campaign project was deemed a great success and hopefully will be repeated and expanded next year. Statistics indicate that at least one child is killed by malaria every thirty seconds in Africa. None of this could have taken place without the organization and dedication of Harrison the headmaster, his wife Joyce and the male teachers.

Children’s Corner

Fiction

THE VILLAGERS’ RESCUE

By Stanza Kanga and Ann Kinyua

Flickering golden rays colored the eastern horizon orange as the dew on the grass shone brightly like broken pieces of mirror exposed to light. My parents were off to work and I was left alone. I had a feeling that it would be a good day.

It was about noon when I finished my chores. The feelings I had earlier just came to be opposite when I felt the tumbling feeling of being followed. I walked hurriedly towards the door and no sooner had I touched the doorknob than it flew open.

What I saw made me fall down with fright. I was soared half dead. I was dumbfounded as thoughts raced up in my mind like fire eating up dry grass. A gigantic man stood right in front of me. His face was nothing but a network of pimples. He had red eyes that seemed to have popped out of their sockets. He had a bulging nose and a dreadlock.

“What’s your name?” the man asked. I just stared at him fixedly like warms wriggling in my delicious food. He gave me a whack which sent me sprawling and kissing the innocent floor. I gave out a stentorian scream like a hot knife through butter breaking the aerie silence that had loomed the area.

In a neck breaking speed, the villagers arrived. They beat the thoroughly despite his attempts to escape. H e was writhing and groaning in pain and agony. After a short while, he crossed the cliff to the abyss of no come back.

When my parents arrived, I told them the whole story but they looked at me as if I was a habitual liar and a cunning fabricator of falsehood. They later realized what had happened and were in a sorry state for not believing in me. From that day onwards, the memorable episode still lingers in my mind until heaven crumbles down on me.

List of KAG School Sponsors

The following persons and organizations are thanked for their continued support of Kenyan children through education

Individual Sponsorships

UK

• Jim and Rosemary Donnan x3
• Beryl Brookes
• Dilys and Michael Williams x2
• Rita Sparrow
• Shelley and Malcolm Wild
• John Bullimore
• Bill and Pat Sutton
• Mary Roberts
• Algie and Sue Vassis x3
• Mike and Flo Bradley
• Christine Cummings
• Mrs Joan Kershaw
• Gillian and John Emms
• Mike,Penny Isabelle Felix
• Rowena
• Jill and Malcolm Wheeler
• Adrian and Lisa Wheeler
• Jan and Tony Shannon
• Mike and Val Robb
• Mick and Leslie Miller
• John and Judy Blakey
• Rev. Christine Bullimore
• Brian and Pam Westerby
• Jonathan and JuliaWatkiss x2
• Jan and Nick Hunter
• Barry Bowden
• Beth Meeds
• Anita Leversidge x2
• Juliet and Clara
• Mike & Lisette
• Jane Waldron
• Dianne Hughes
• Gill Hague
• Miss Phyllis Jubb x2
• Mrs Jean Haigh
• David And Susan Walker
• Brian And Carol x2
• Shirley Jackson x2
• Jim Huggins
• Helen and Aidan Downes x2
• Jenny and Graeme Chalklin
• Annette and Chris Taylor
• Felicity Pape
• John Faulkner (new)

Scotland

• Mark and Sarah

Italy

• Paulo Francesco

Belgium

• Fatma and Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
• Nico Koedam

The Netherlands

• Marijke De Boer

USA

• Pete Cypret
• David Grenier
• Dianne Grenier

Canada

• Micheal Enns

Cooperate sponsorship (UK)

• Rotary Club Horbury and Ossett
• Saint Peters Primary School x2
• The Rotary club of Morley x2
• Whitechapel Church

Our Dear Sponsors,

Although most of us have never seen you, we are grateful for what you have continued doing to change our lives .We love you very much. May God bless you and have a merry Christmas and have a wonderful 2010.

Message from Sponsored Children