Unfortunately the regional level is as far as we go … this time. The children are understandably disappointed, especially the group of 10 who finished 2nd (only those placed 1st go on to the provincial level). I considered bribing the officials for a moment seeing as that is how most things get done around here but I’d forgotten my wallet … joke, my darn principles got in the way again. However, we are supremely proud all the same seeing as the music club is little more than 2 months old and most of the other schools had clearly been preparing for months. I spoke to the children after the results were announced, and drying their tears I told them that it is normal that we are upset but what defines us is how we react to the disappointment … we all agreed that next time we will blow them all out of the water. And we will.
To close for today, do you remember the “Dilemma” posts? Of course you do. Well, there is no dilemma for the time being … our nurse has resigned to join a public school (more money). So for now any HIV testing is on hold until we can find another. One step forward…
Finally, Cedric is coming in tomorrow from Paris and being a nuclear physicist he has planned to carry out lots of experiments and blow up everything that moves. The kids can’t wait.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Interschool's Music Competition - Update #1
I thought I’d give you a quick update following yesterday’s interschool’s music competition.
All of the kids involved (60) performed to the best of their ability and we are really proud of them. However 2 individual performers who recited poetry (Levi Njake & Martin Maina) plus one of the groups (10) won their categories and now go forward to compete in the region level tomorrow! Not bad when you consider it was the first time for all of us.
It’s a bit short notice for tomorrow, but for next time we are going to have to put together some costumes … some of the other schools looked amazing (I’ll upload photos to the blog when I can but don’t hold your breath!).
_ _ _
On another more sombre subject, 5 people were killed and another 75 injured in what appears to be a grenade attack in Nairobi. You may or may not know but the country is currently trying to ratify a new constitution and the explosion occurred during a rally of the ‘no’ campaign in Uhuru Park. It would appear that the constitution is creating as many issues as it is supposed to address.
All of the kids involved (60) performed to the best of their ability and we are really proud of them. However 2 individual performers who recited poetry (Levi Njake & Martin Maina) plus one of the groups (10) won their categories and now go forward to compete in the region level tomorrow! Not bad when you consider it was the first time for all of us.
It’s a bit short notice for tomorrow, but for next time we are going to have to put together some costumes … some of the other schools looked amazing (I’ll upload photos to the blog when I can but don’t hold your breath!).
_ _ _
On another more sombre subject, 5 people were killed and another 75 injured in what appears to be a grenade attack in Nairobi. You may or may not know but the country is currently trying to ratify a new constitution and the explosion occurred during a rally of the ‘no’ campaign in Uhuru Park. It would appear that the constitution is creating as many issues as it is supposed to address.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Je suis de retour!
Evening all,
Well I am back at St. Anna following a couple of weeks passing through Paris, London & Porto. It all sounds a bit of a jolly (deserved I’d like to think), but I did manage to find half a dozen new sponsors plus discuss and kick off what I hope will be a major push on the fund raising for the library and solar power. 2 B Contd…
Alors je suis de retour and I am glad to be back to get on with the job at hand. The noticeable changes are that
. the boys dorm/ new classroom block is practically finished apart from putting up black boards, the
. there are wooden stools all over the place waiting to be delivered to Kiambugi high school
The unnoticeable change, but the one that is on everyone’s lips is the organisation of the school in to houses. If you recall that one of the changes I wished to make, was one close to my heart from my own childhood. Students were to be subdivided into “houses” be named after something the big 5 wild animals:
i. Lion (red)
ii. Leopard (yellow)
iii. Rhino (white)
iv. Buffalo (green)
v. Elephant (blue)
Well, the day before I left for home I had a meeting with the teaching staff to suggest this, and guess what? ... they loved it. In fact they loved it so much so that Mr. Mwago was immediately assigned responsibility for dividing students and teachers alike in to houses.
Imagine my delight therefore to arrive back today to be assaulted by shouts of “I’m in Elephant” and “I’m a Lion” and even “I’m a Buffalo soldier”. And not only are they in their houses but also that they have already been competing casually in sports and singing! Yay!!!
The plan is now to organise a real novelty sports day towards the end of the month with sack and three legged races, but egg and spoon and other fun things.
Oh oh, one final piece of good news (as if that weren’t already enough), our music club is set to participate in their first competition in Murang’a next Friday. Gonna have to find them something a little more jazzy then their uniforms pretty quickly.
Today was a good day ... beats watching the news on TV no? Good night and good luck.
Well I am back at St. Anna following a couple of weeks passing through Paris, London & Porto. It all sounds a bit of a jolly (deserved I’d like to think), but I did manage to find half a dozen new sponsors plus discuss and kick off what I hope will be a major push on the fund raising for the library and solar power. 2 B Contd…
Alors je suis de retour and I am glad to be back to get on with the job at hand. The noticeable changes are that
. the boys dorm/ new classroom block is practically finished apart from putting up black boards, the
. there are wooden stools all over the place waiting to be delivered to Kiambugi high school
The unnoticeable change, but the one that is on everyone’s lips is the organisation of the school in to houses. If you recall that one of the changes I wished to make, was one close to my heart from my own childhood. Students were to be subdivided into “houses” be named after something the big 5 wild animals:
i. Lion (red)
ii. Leopard (yellow)
iii. Rhino (white)
iv. Buffalo (green)
v. Elephant (blue)
Well, the day before I left for home I had a meeting with the teaching staff to suggest this, and guess what? ... they loved it. In fact they loved it so much so that Mr. Mwago was immediately assigned responsibility for dividing students and teachers alike in to houses.
Imagine my delight therefore to arrive back today to be assaulted by shouts of “I’m in Elephant” and “I’m a Lion” and even “I’m a Buffalo soldier”. And not only are they in their houses but also that they have already been competing casually in sports and singing! Yay!!!
The plan is now to organise a real novelty sports day towards the end of the month with sack and three legged races, but egg and spoon and other fun things.
Oh oh, one final piece of good news (as if that weren’t already enough), our music club is set to participate in their first competition in Murang’a next Friday. Gonna have to find them something a little more jazzy then their uniforms pretty quickly.
Today was a good day ... beats watching the news on TV no? Good night and good luck.
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