By Turk Pipkin | Project Leader
Sometimes you just have to say "Thanks". Especially when so many great things have happened because of the love and support of so many wonderful people.
April is a break month from the trimester system in Kenya, and a good time to reflect on the changes in Mahiga in the seven years since Wangari Mathai invited me to plant trees in Kenya, and those first 200 seedlings I helped plant at Mahiga Primary. The very first tree I planted has grown from a sprig to a mature tree towering high over my head, one of 7,000 trees the kids of Mahiga have planted on the school site.
The 1st graders that I did dumb magic tricks for are now making good grades in 8th grade and will soon take the KCPE to qualify for High School. Seven years ago, there was no high school - now these kids are excited at the prospects of moving up to the two-story classroom building and getting a proper 4-year high school education.
At Mahiga Hope High, the first senior class is working hard on academics to pass the tough graduation tests, and are continuing to excel in athletics and other activities.
The school can still use your support through The 1000 Voice for Hope Campaign. The big vegetable gardens are complete but the school needs an orchard. The library is a beauty, but more books in Kiswahili would help with studies. Textbooks are always needed, and as the high school grows past 200 students (plus 400 in primary), we need many more desks and chairs.
In the meantime, thanks to Willie Nelson, Lyly Lovett, The Dixie Chicks and every other donor to this campaign. And thanks to GlobalGiving as well. What a great endeavor in support of our brothers and sisters all over the world.
Turk and Christy Pipkin
The Nobelity Project
- And a very special thanks to our dear friend Wangari Mathai who passed away a few months ago. We are now the sponsors of the Kieni Youth Million Tree Program, well on track to planting a million trees in Wangari's honor in the Aberdare Mountains, with all the trees planted by students from our partner Kenya Schools. Much love.
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