Angaza 2012

Editorial

We have come to yet another close of year and when we look back, it could have easily passed just like any other year save for the events that have taken place in the nation and also in the education sector in Kenya.

The year started with numerous terror alerts in the country as the Kenya Defence Forces advanced in Somalia in search of the Al Shabaab terror groups. We were warned of retaliatory attacks especially in the major cities, Mombasa included. This created a domino effect where a number of countries around the world, from where our tourists come, also issued travel bans to Mombasa. That meant that hotels operated below capacity and some staff had to be laid off. This had a direct effect on the school as a number of the parents rely directly on the tourism industry and that means that their payment of school fees was compromised.

As if that was not enough, a bigger threat reared its ugly head at the beginning of the third and final term of the school year. The Government school teachers went on strike and for three weeks, there was a standoff between them and the government as a solution was sought on how to get them back to class. During this time, all the Government schools remained closed and the students remained at home while their counterparts in the Church schools continued with their studies and preparations for the exams.

This was a very discouraging scenario and it was obvious that the pupils were bearing the brunt of it all. By the time the teachers went back to work, precious time had been lost and the only solution was to extend the term to take care of the three weeks that were lost. This was the time the Church schools found themselves on the losing end because they were forced to extend the term but were not given the resources to do so. Many ended up closing three weeks earlier than Government schools while others were forced to increase the fees for the term.

What is emerging as a great lesson from all this is that we are all interlinked and when one sector of the economy is destabilized or when insecurity strikes, the effects are far reaching. Therefore, as we continue making plans for our schools, it is good to factor in all the external factors that are likely to affect us directly or indirectly. For starters, the KAG school is now fully insured against most calamities but also especially against acts of terror. We hope that the lessons we keep learning will translate to very good plans for the future of the school and especially the pupils.

After all we have had to deal with in the year, I feel we all need a good break and therefore may we all have a beautiful Christmas and a new year full of hope.

Caroline Wanjiru

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 Kamere
• Accountant: Alphonce Okumu
• Curriculum Heads: Mr. Billy Pepela and M/s Doris Bagubagu
• Student’s Councilor: Nicholas Kimani; Christine Mogaka
• Games Patrons: Mr. Ngaira,Tai and M/s Elizabeth Katuthi

Message from school chairman

Mr. Joseph Gathonga Chairman KAG School

It is with much pleasure that I present this report in our annual newsletter - Angaza. The year has been a success both in terms of operations and finance and this calls for much appreciation and gratefulness for all your efforts and contributions .Thank you very much.

The school has maintained and continued to focus on the efficient and effective delivery of its core functions i.e. delivery of high quality education, nurturing our pupils so as to compete favorably for the available job market nationally and internationally among other functions. We are also very grateful that all our programmes in the year run smoothly and were built on last year’s progress and consistent with our long term goals. All the achievements have not been without challenges but I here recognize the tireless efforts both physically, financially, advice and the encouragement from Rosemary and indeed the entire Emley Africa Educational Project team, May god bless you all.

The demonstration of the team in terms of consistence and tireless effort depicts team spirit of cohesiveness and the society has continuously learned a good lesson.

I am also very grateful to the KAG fraternity for their support both physically, morally and in the implementation of all our projects and activities.

Key achievements include:

• Distribution of mosquito nets to the community
• Water connection to the school - primary section.
• Bore hole pump fixed - nursery section.
• Roofing the library and the ongoing work of plastering.
• Continued to pay for the school bus.
• Funds for sponsored kids were all received.

I recognize the work of the school board, the headmaster and his team. They have all worked and pulled in the same direction with so much harmony, power and purpose. Let us all keep the spirit. Merry Christmas and a victorious 2013

Message from the Head teacher

Mr. Harrison Kamere, Headmaster KAG School

Welcome to our 9th edition. As I indicated in my last message our newsletter informs parents and sponsors on the progress made by KAG School. Our school continues to grow day by day and year by year. This has been brought about by the cohesiveness witnessed by all stakeholders. Our major sponsors inspire us a lot and give a lot of hope when we realize the tireless effort they put in making a reality our vision and mission.

This year we have made major strides in enrollment and in infrastructure. Our target of 400 pupils in the school is at the vicinity now. This has been made easier by the continued good performance by our past results which are making everyone get attracted/attached to the school.

Through the assistance of the Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary club we were privileged to connect piped water from the main grid to the school and our pupils can now access treated drinking water.

Due to the availability of the commodity we were also able to have septic tank constructed and the boys toilet is now fully in use.

I would to take this opportunity to convey my good will message to Phoenix and Ossett Rotary club for the countless effort they have done to this school please receive my heartfelt thanks you have made a credible mark thank you a lot and I hope the same spirit continues….

Piped water

Septic tank

Due the tireless effort made by our major supporter we are continuing making better our dream of having a community modern library which will have an IT section in it. We all congratulate our supporters and encourage then to continue with the noble project which will not only assist our students but community at large, which has been our main objective. With this project, illiteracy in the community will be a thing of the past and also we shall be taking IT technology near the community instead of travelling/walking 50 miles away to get the same. We shall appreciate any donation of the computers or any other accessories in the IT section.

General overview of the library

Inside plastering in progress

All said and done allow me to point out what Rosemary and Jim and the team have done and continue to be our light; they have shown us that when we have the will there will always be a way. They have sacrificed their time, resources for the school, may God bless them.

Every one ,Merry Chrismas & Happy New Year 2013.

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

• School fees per child per year are approximately US$ 300 (equivalent to £150 or €200). This money is enough to pay fees, lunch, transport and stationery, for one year.
• You can also give your donation in the form 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. 01924 848142
• Or directly to the school account using the address below:-

KAG SCHOOL MSAMBWENI SECONDARY BURSARY

EQUITY BANK LTD

A/C No.: 044 029 4907929

Swift code: CITIGB2L

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

Photo Page

Pupils in sewing club 2012

Sponsored kids by 2012

Emley African fayre UK 2012

Let’s all appreciate the work done by Emley African fayre group in UK in soliciting the fund to develop our KAG school

Harry & Olive on wood carving

Mary & Dilys on Cakes

Rita & Christmas gift

Mike on books

Rose on African crafts

Sylvia on Jigsaw & bric a brac

Lisette & Shirley on Tombola

Jim & Mike on raffle

Susan, Kathryn, Pam, Lisa & Hazel on soup &refreshment

Cakes sold in African Fayre

Cakes sold in African Fayre

The origin of the Maasai Community

By Mr. Pepela

Every issue of ANGAZA discusses one of the 42 community tribes in Kenya. In the current issue, we discuss the origin and characteristics of Maasai – tribe residing in Narok County

The Maasai community

The Maasai (sometimes spelled "Masai" or "Masaai") are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs and dress and residence near the many game parks of East Africa. They speak Maa (ɔl Maa), a member of the Nilo-Saharan language family that is related to Dinka and Nuer, and are also educated in the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania: Swahili and English. The Maasai population has been reported as numbering 841,622 in Kenya in the 2009 census, compared to 377,089 in the 1989 census.

The Tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, but the people have continued their age-old customs.[4] Recently, Oxfam has claimed that the lifestyle of the Maasai should be embraced as a response to climate change because of their ability to farm in deserts and scrublands. Many Maasai tribes throughout Tanzania and Kenya welcome visits to their village to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle.

Facts about Malaria

Mr. Ngaira

Malaria is an infectious blood disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria symptoms, which often appear about 9 to 14 days after the infectious mosquito bite, include fever, headache, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms. If drugs are not available or the parasites are resistant to them, the infection can lead to coma, life-threatening anemia, and death.

Malaria killed 655,000 people in 2010. Ninety-one percent of malaria-related deaths occur in Africa, the majority of whom are children under 5 years of age.

Stay safe by sleeping under well treated nets

CLUBS

Bible club

By Cindy Chumbe, STD seven

Bible club is a Christian club. It is based on teaching pupils Christian values known as virtues such as honesty, patience, kindness, goodness, respect to mention just a few. Pupils are also taught the word of God and how to live with others as Christians.

In our school, we normally have bible sessions every Thursday. All the Bible club members meet and praise God. We sing gospel songs and after that, a bible verse is read. We are taught a bible story then the session is over.

The main reason why this club was formed is for the members to have fellowship with each other. This club is also found in other schools. We usually have rallies where we meet with all the members from different schools. We always have fun together.

Some of the places we have visited are Shimoni, Trade winds, Boda and Mwaluganje sanctuary. I vividly remember the day we went to Trade Winds as if it was yesterday. Everyone was excited that day because we visited the beach in Ukunda.with schools such as K.A.G, Msingi Bora, Jomo Kenyatta, Msambweni primary and Redeemed. We started the service at 8.00 am .We were taught that we should never be afraid because the Lord is with us. He is our shepherd. After that we had lunch. It was about 2.00 pm .We were now free, we decided to swim in the ocean. It was really exciting. We walked along the beach as we were taken photos. At 6.00 pm, we went home very happy. Apart from learning God’s word, we also like having fun. Bible club is really a wonderful

The environment /wildlife club

The club was formed by some of the teachers and pupils (K.A.G School) who’s desire and wishes to have a conducive and a clean environment that cannot be shaken. Members of the club are willing to do anything within their reach to ensure that our God given environment remains lively. It’s unfortunate that some of the activities done by man to earn a living have contributed to polluting the environment. We as a club would like to kindly ask everyone to join hands together and help conserve our environment…this can be possible if we do the following:-

• Plant native species of trees as they will provide habitat to our native birds and wildlife and they are also tolerant of our weather conditions.
• Ride a bike or walk whenever you can-to the shops, to school, to work. This is because cars are one of the worst pollutants in today’s society.
• Save water by installing a rain water tank, if possible recycle your dirty water and turn off the tap when cleaning your teeth that is just to mention a few.
• Recycle old timber products instead of buying new products where possible, this saves energy and helps protect forests from further clearing.
• Join a local conservation group and help improve your local environment
• There are many other ways of conserving the environment which I believe we all know and we can put them in practice.

We are proud to be in this club and we shall forge ahead with efforts of conserving our environment whether in school or at home

SCOUTING

Scouts motto….Be prepared

Scouts promise….I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God & my country to help other people at all time & to obey the scout law.

Group….chipukizi 11-15

Scouting is a voluntary movement for children under the age of 26 the children are trained on drill, scout signs, hosting flag and living under all the conditions in the country and out of the country.

The scouts are divided into different sections depending on age. As KAG Scout, we are eager to practice all that we know and make our scouting experience enjoyable.

We thank God for enabling us to do our duties to god and mankind throughout the year 2012. It was the longest academic in our course with about 42 weeks. With divine intervention of almighty God, we have been able to raise the Kenyan flag in KAG School every Monday and Friday.

Under the leadership of Mwanarusi Haruni, the scouts have been able to attend Mivumoni camp and Jomo Kenyatta scout camp. We enjoyed the camping experience and got a lot of experience on how we can live in places without electricity and houses. Scouts were able to improvise a tent, a camp house and the most exciting part being the camp fire. This year the scouts were not able to participate in competition due to lack of enough training and competition resources like uniforms.

Future plans-

• We are planning to have a guard of honor during the Ninth graduation ceremony
• The scouts to be trained of the first aid to assist in case of emergency in school.
• Regular training of scouts to be facilitated by skilled scout leaders from other schools.
• To participate in next year scout competitions
• To issue all the scouts with certificates after being active members of scout for at least two years.

Challenges –

• Lack of scout uniforms has continuously been our limiting factor to competition and making events colorful. We have to hire uniforms whenever we wish to make events colorful. We call upon all parents to buy uniforms for their sons and daughters.
• Lack of tents. Most of the scouts have not been able to participate fully during the scout camps since we have no reliable tents. Pupils improvise tents hence making camping very difficult since it may rain during the night hence endangering our kids.

Quote of the day-

Not how much you know matters but how much you do with the much that you know.

By Mr. Mugambi John, scout patron

ART CORNER

Not only are our pupils learning theory but are encouraged to nurture their talents:

From Our Sponsors

A rewarding aspect of our lives

Mike Williams

It is difficult to believe that my wife, Dilys, and I have been involved with the work in Kenya for so long and even more difficult to remember all the details of the ‘journey’ through this aspect of our lives.

Throughout the main part of my career, I worked long hours, spent hours a week commuting and still had to find time for parenting, gardening, decorating, DIY and hobbies. Unlike Dilys, I could not have found time for voluntary activities.

In the late 1990’s when Rosemary asked Dilys to help with fundraising for Kenya, it was ‘just’ another project for Dilys but it was an opportunity for me to broaden my experience of the voluntary sector. By then, I had been doing a voluntary job (one evening per week) for over two years and I had been employed by a registered charity for two years. I was interested in the project in its own right but I also had a somewhat selfish motive in career development.

After a fairly short time, we became aware of an orphaned teenage boy who needed sponsorship to go to secondary school. He was known to a friend of Jim & Rosemary, named Alan, who believed that he was an intelligent and decent boy who deserved a chance. That boy’s name was David and we paid for him as a boarder at secondary school near the coast at Kwale.

The building of the nursery school on KAG Church land was completed in 2001 and a formal opening ceremony was arranged for November that year. Rosemary and Jim persuaded us to go with them to Kenya to meet David and to see the school that our fundraising had contributed to. It was our first visit to Africa and we fell in love with it. The emotional roller-coaster cannot be described: the joy of the opening ceremony; the first-hand exposure to abject poverty and deprivation; and the first meeting with David. It is no exaggeration to say that all human life was there and we simply wanted to do more to help.

We knew from that first visit that David was worthy of the investment: although a bit shy and reserved, he was clearly honest, hard-working and appreciative of the support he received. David completed his secondary education satisfactorily but not brilliantly and was not able to continue to university. Instead, he left school and tried to find employment whilst seeking ways to become self-employed. As time went by and his prospects did not improve, he moved to Nairobi to live with his aunt and we paid for him to do a college course in tourism.

When David left school, we began to sponsor a Muslim girl by the name of Janet. Females have not yet achieved anything approaching equality in Kenya, although we have witnessed improvements in this area, amongst many others, over the years. Janet was naturally shy and this was emphasized by her age and her place in society as a female. By our last visit in November 2011, Janet had become much more relaxed and comfortable in our presence and during our conversations with her.

Meanwhile, Abdul, an ‘orphaned’ boy that Jim and Rosemary had funded through school (who by then was in his twenties and fairly self-sufficient) had, by sheer luck or serendipity, discovered the whereabouts of his mother. He was distressed by the conditions she was living in ‘up-country’ and arranged for her to move to the coast with her ‘new’ family. His half-sister, Alako, was of a suitable age to start at primary school and Dilys and I offered to sponsor her at KAG School.

I teach voluntarily at our grand-children’s primary school in Barnsley and the school raises funds to sponsor a girl named Cecilia at KAG. Alako and Cecilia live a long way from school and about a kilometre from each other. Coincidentally, they are the best of friends and they travel to and from school together. It is testimony to their enthusiasm for education that they set off at 6.00 a.m. to walk for an hour to the main road to catch the school bus and walk back from the main road at the end of the day.

After qualifying, David moved back to the coast and eventually secured temporary employment in a hotel. It is a disadvantage to be as polite and reserved as David in an energetic and forceful environment, and the region in and around Mombasa is that and more. However, David persisted through a frustrating and patchy early career and eventually secured permanent employment in the same hotel, where he has been promoted and where he now holds a position of trust and responsibility.

Janet did well in primary school and is currently completing her third year of four in secondary school. She has worked well and should achieve a satisfactory grade next year. However, like David, she will not proceed to university and we must hope that her education helps her to progress in the world beyond what she would otherwise have experienced.

I have been to Kenya eight times and Dilys has been six times. Since our first visit, we have also been to Tunisia (twice), Morocco and The Gambia and we are to visit The Gambia again shortly. Africa has become something of a magnet to us. We love Kenya and Kenyans and we have a strong bond with many people there, especially some of the sponsored children and some of their families. We hope they all strive to do as well as David, my virtual son, with whom I am well pleased.

ST HELEN’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Phil Harrison, Head teacher

As part of the school’s Religious Education programme and acts of collective worship, links are constantly sought to highlight and celebrate the similarities and differences between our school community and those in other parts of the world.

In 2007, following discussions with Mr. Mike Williams, Math’s tutor, Mr. Harrison, Head teacher, became very interested in the development project at the Kenya Assembly of God (KAG) School in Kenya. As a result, St Helen’s Catholic Primary School offered to raise funds on an annual basis to sponsor two pupils – Cecilia and Mwanakombo*. Three separate sources of funding were determined:-

• Funds raised at the annual Music & Dance afternoon for parents held each July when children perform individually, in groups and classes with their musical instruments (woodwind, guitar, ukulele, violin, brass and keyboard) and dance (waltz, cha-cha and jive).
• Collections made at the end of the Annual Christmas Concerts and
• Collections made at Annual Infant Nativity.

The proceeds from these performances have been £300 to£400 per year. The funds are delivered each year either by Mr. Williams himself or by Mrs. Rosemary Donnan.

Our pupils have been able to see how their involvement has benefited these pupils and they have been given an informed view of the life of pupils at KAG though photographs and videos of the school taken during their visits and by special talks given on their return. The pupils of St Helen’s have seen, first hand, how their money has been spent and also seen the development of the KAG school via this very worthwhile project. In St Helen’s recent “outstanding” Ofsted inspection it was reported that:-

“Through grandparents of one of St Helen’s children the school has an excellent link with a school and particular pupil in Kenya. The school’s link with Kenya has enabled all the children to have a real practical dimension to their fundraising efforts and to appreciate first-hand the impact their charitable support has. The children were very interested to see the real difference their fund-raising was making to their neighbours thousands of miles away.”

As I retire as Head teacher in December I am very hopeful that the school’s commitment to the sponsorship will be sustained and I extend my very best wishes and thanks to the staff and pupils of KAG and to all involved in the Emley project. I wish the staff, pupils and parents of the KAG School all the very best of health and fortune for 2013.

Mwanakombo left the school last year when her family re-located to a distant part of Kenya. Now, after paying Cecilia’s school fees and purchasing other essentials for her such as school shoes and uniform, the surplus is added to the school’s development fund.

Think of this and you will realize where there is will there is way;

Hamjambo? Habari zenu?

Ninajifunza Kiswahili, naam

Nimeleta salaam nyingi kutoka Kwa Dilys Na Mike

Mmezipokea?

Nimefurahi Sana kufika kwenu

Ninawashukuru Kwa makaribisho mazuri

Mwaka huu tuna binti yetu, yeye anaitwa Kirsty Na mpenzi wake anaitwa Carl

Mkuu wa shule Harrison, muhula ujao atakuwa katika miaka kumi hapa shuleni.

Hapa ni zawadi ndogo kwake.

Njoo Harrison,

Asante Sana Harrison, Elimu Ni ufunguo wa maisha.

Zaidi sina

Napitisha Kwa Jim

Speech delivered by Rosemary during our ninth graduation ceremony on 21st Nov 2012.

Children’s Corner

JOKES

FATHER: Son this time, you have to score 90% marks in your exams.

SON: No father I'll score 100% marks.

FATHER: Why are you kidding?

SON: Who started?

MAN; God, how long is a million years

God; to me, it’s about a minute

MAN; God, how much is a million dollars

God; to me is a penny

MAN; God, may I have a penny?

God; wait a minute

Robert mutua STD 5

A little girl came home from school and said to her mother, “mommy today in school I was punished for something that I didn’t do.”

The mother exclaimed, “But that’s terrible, I’m going to have a talk with your teacher about this, by the way, what was it that you didn’t do?

The little girl replied, “My homework.”

Ali Suleiman STD 3

Mother; why did you get such a low mark on that test?

Junior; because of absence

Mother; you mean you were absent on the day of the test?

Junior; no, but the boy who sits next to me was.

Cindy Chumbe STD 7

A curious child asked his mother, “mommy why are some of your hairs turning grey?”

The mother tried to use this occasion to teach her child: ” it’s because of you dear. Every bad action of yours will turn one of my hairs grey!”

The child replied innocently: “now I know why grandmother has only grey hairs on her head.”

Halfan mitsumi STD 8

TONGUE TWISTERS

• Two tutors do two duties
• While we were walking, we were watching window washers wash Washington’s windows with warm washing water
• Through three cheese trees three fleas flew. While these fleas flew freezy breeze blew. Freezy freeze made these three tree freeze.freezy trees made these trees’ cheese freeze.thats what made these three free fleas sneeze

Zainab mzee std 8

Quote of the day

An educated person is a confident person. Education fosters a positive outlook and allows us to believe in ourselves. Self-belief is the most wanted trait in a Human being and education leads us towards relying on ourselves, making us believe that we are ready to take on the world.

Mr Kimani

List Of KAG School Sponsors

Individual Sponsorships UK

• Jim and Rosemary Donnan
• Beryl Brookes
• Michael and Dilys Williams
• Rita Sparrow
• Malcolm Wild
• John Bullimore
• Rev. Christine Bullimore
• Bill and Pat Sutton
• Mary Roberts
• Algie and Sue Vassis
• Mike and Flo Bradley
• Christine Cummings
• Joan Kershaw
• John and Gillian Emms
• Mike, Penny, Isabelle and Felix Yates
• Malcolm and Gill Wheeler
• Tony Shannon and Jan Edgar
• Mike and Val Robb
• Mick and Leslie Miller
• John and Judy Blakey
• Robert and Rev Rachel Cave
• Joe and Mary Guerin
• Douglas and Helen Metcalfe
• Harry and Olive
• Ian Siragher
• Nigel and Glennis Le Page
• Brian and Pam Westerby
• Jonathan and Julia Watkiss
• Nick and Jan Hunter
• Barry Bowden
• Anita Leveridge
• Juliette and Clara
• Mike and Lisette Gill
• Jane Waldron
• Dianne Hughes
• Gill Hague
• Phyllis Jubb
• David and Susan Walker
• Brian and Carol Hill
• Shirley Jackson
• Jim Huggins
• Aidan and Helen Downes
• Graeme and Jenny Chalklin
• Chris and Annette Taylor
• Felicity Pape
• John Faulkner
• Anne Wibberley
• Lindsay Hancock
• Wayne and Clare Meehan

Scotland

• Mark and Sarah
• Judy Muchin

Italy

• Paulo Franceso

Belgium

• Fatuma and Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
• Nico Koedam

The Netherlands

• Marijike De Boer

USA

• Pete Cypret
• David Grenier
• Dianne Grenier
• Lt Col. and Mrs Nieboer

Canada

• Mike Enns

Australia

• Lisa Mills

Cooperate Sponsorship UK

• Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club
• St. Peter’s Primary School, Birstall
• The Rotary Club of Morley
• St. Helen’s School, Barnsley
• Whitechapel Church

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