Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

Schools have reopened in Kenya and students are thrilled to be back in the classroom. Our "Magic School Bus" is rolling back into school yards filled with beautiful books and our staff is excited to engage children in reading. At the same time, we have resumed computer classes at our Learning Resource Center. This week Yvonne, a student at Makaalu Primary School, came to the LRC for a basic computer class.  

"Today I was very happy to use the computer. My favorite part was using the keyboard. I was amazed that I could erase what I had written using the backspace key. It was my first time to ever use a computer keyboard and only the second time I've used technology.  I would like to learn more about using the computer and be able to create my own game. My favorite subject in school is science and I would like to be a nurse when I grow up."

As we begin this new Kenyan School year, our team remains committed to providing programs to enrich education.  Reading, technology, and empowerment clubs take place on a daily basis.  At the same time, we are working closely with teachers at our four Empowered Schools to provide professional development to help them engage students in a meaningful way by incorporating the key tenets of the Kenyan Competency Based Curriculum.  Creating Professional Learning Communities (PLC), providing classroom resources, and fixing and painting classrooms are a way to create more vibrant learning.

Part of our strategy to strengthen education in our community is through breaking down barriers.  With the threat of the coronavirus, we are providing face masks to students who don't have them and we are installing additional hand washing stations at schools. Teaching how to make liquid soap and effective hand washing is helping keep students healthy.  Students are now using compost toilets at two or our partner schools, and due to the collapse of pit latrines at the Mbaikini School, we have sprung into action and are building another bank of compost toilets so the students will have clean sanitation.

We have big dreams for 2021. At he heart of our plan is to help students and teachers, who lost over 9 months of learning, to improved and dynamic education. We could not do this without friends like YOU and we thank you for your past donations. Our community feels your support and is grateful that you chose Kenya Connect on GlobalGiving.  

Patrick, Director of Education and Technology, commented last week, 

"My heart is full of joy to have students back in the technology lab in the Learning Resource Center. It's heartwarming to see how excited the students are to be using the computers. I'm always uplifted seeing how quickly they pick up what I teach and their eagerness to learn more."

We will continue to keep you upated on our work. In a couple of weeks we will be celebrating World Read Aloud Day while at the same time expanding our LitClub and LitMom program. For daily updates, please follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram.

LitClub member Daring Derrick (not real name) commented, "In LitClub I love doing the brain breaks and assignments.  Our mentor is friendly and carng. It's helping me in school."

The Kenya Connect team believes in the power of education. Our caring, committed and community driven team is empowering the next generation of Kenyan students thanks to friends like you.

"My name is Brave Ben. I am in grade 5 and a member of the Simba LitClub at Sofia Primary School. I live with my father, mother and 2 brothers. At home I like to graze cattle and collect firewood. In LitClub I love the read alouds, the brain breaks and how our mentor teaches us. My favorite book is “The Magic School Bus.”  My favorite subject in school is Science."

Launched early in 2020, LitClubs have been our newest iniative to build strong, confident and lifelong readers!  Mentors, trained with LitWorld materials, meet weekly with the students with hands-on engaging activities.  Read Alouds, word games, and creative writing are all part of the program.  Underlying the curriculum are LitWorld's 7 Strengths:  Belonging, Kindness, Curiosity, Friendship, Confidence, Courage and Hope.  Students like Brave Ben are inspired and become curious readers.  

This week Kenya Connect hosted our first LitFests at Sophia and Maanzoni Primary Schools.  Parents and teachers celebrated the LitClub students' accomplishments and cheered when students gave speeches and recited poetry.  Playing word games, using digital readers, and reading together provided parents and students the opportunity to learn together.

One parent commented, "I can't believe how much the students' have grown this year, especially in their sense of confidence!"

We have BIG PLANS to expand LitClubs to 3 more schools in 2021.  Donors like you have made these type of programs possible.  You have also provided resources to purchase books like the Magic School Bus series so budding scientists like Brave Ben have books that expand their horizons.  During the pandemic, our LitClubs and Library Program have been a true learning life-line for students in our rural community.  Our Library Team, masked-up, visited schools bringing books and encouragement to learners missing school.

We are deeply grateful to you for being a Kenya Connect donor and friend.  As the year draws to a close, we wish you and your family a healthy and joyful holiday season and one filled with some good books!

Why the number 8125?  It's the number of face masks that have been created as part of Kenya Connect's strategy to keep the community safe.  With deep connections in the community, our Visionary Co-Founder and Executive Director, James Musyoka, has led the staff in developing Covid-19 Prevention Programs for the Village of Wamunyu.  Thanks to grants and donor support, 8125 face masks have been created by local women who make our Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary Pad kits.  These masks are being distributed via our staff and Community Health Volunteers.   Boda Boda drivers (motorcyle), Mama Mbogas (Market women), barbers and hairstyles, and students, parents and teachers have received FREE face masks.  As the face masks are being distributed, our staff has provided Covid-19 prevention education including how to effectively wash hands, the necessity of physical distancing, and the importance of not gathering in crowds.  With schools slated to open next week, Kenya Connect will be distributing even more face masks to teachers and students.

"Let me say, Kenya Connect, you continue to surprise us all the time with your action.  The masks you gave us for the CHVs-- first responders-- have been extremely helpful.  From the Office of the Governor, we really appreciate this donation of 700 face masks." Mark Nzomo, Mwala Subcounty administrator.

As a result of our nimble and swift response to the Pandemic, the ONE Campaign to eliminate extreme poverty featured James Musyoka in their.  "Stories of Solidarity." We invite you to take 2 minutes to watch this thoughtful VIDEO on the importance of NGOs in fighting the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Over the years, GlobalGiving donors to Kenya Connect have ensured that we can deliver creative, necessary, and well designed programs that meet the needs of our community.  We couldn't do it without you.  Your vote of confidence allows our Kenyan team to provide enrichment and empowerment programs while being able to pivot during this unprecendented pandemic.  

Next month we will be sharing more on the reopening of schools.  We know that students will be excited to start computer classes, borrow books, and begin learning again,

On behalf of the students, teachers, parents, and community of Wamunyu, we thank you for donating to us.

Abigael, a member of the Lioness LitClub, was the featured reader for the Kenya Connect Radio Read Aloud!  "It was so exciting to hear my voice on the radio!" Abigael joyfully commented.  Reading Mama Hen's Cozy Wings, Abigael's strong voice inspired student readers listening to the show.  The Radio Real Aloud show is part of our strategy to reach learners during the school shutdown due to the Pandemic.  Featured during the children's hour on Mbaitu FM, a station broadcasting from Machakos, the Radio Read Aloud features a story, lesson and activities.  Students can call in (using their parents' phones) to win prizes as well as through completing assignments.  During the Read Aloud program we invite students to enroll in our library card program and to borrow books to read while schools are closed.

LitClubs are part of our new partnership with LitWorld, a non-profit promoting literacy around the world.  With training and materials from LitWorld, staff members Cyrus, Cornelius, Monicah and Margaret serve as mentors for these weekly sessions.  It's been especially rewarding for the staff to arrive at the schools to begin the LitClub sessions to find the students leading Read Alouds with each other!  Monicah commented that back in February when we began the clubs, students barely spoke, and now they are confident readers!  

In addition, 540 students are participating in the 2020 Reading Challenge! Each student is challenged to read 25 books during a three month period.  They record the books read in the colorful Reading Challenge guide designed by high school students at the Garrison Forest School in Maryland.  The guides also include crossword puzzles, mazes, word searches and fun fact activities.  In October all students completing the challenge will receive a string bag and other prizes and we will "crown" the top King and Queen readers.

These reading programs, coupled with our ongoing library days, are providing literacy learning for our rural learners.  Support from our GlobalGiving donors ensures that we can continue these programs that inspires and builds confidence for our students.  

"I want to be a pilot and reading is paving the way," says Koki, one of the Radio Read Aloud presenters.  Thank you for supporting Abigael, Koki, Janet, and Alex, our first group of student Radio Readers.  As a result of the Radio Read Aloud success, plans are underway to continue this program in 2021.