Success in Kenya Schools with The Virtues Project

Greetings! I hereby wish to recognize The Virtues Project International for stepping in to help mold these two schools into peaceful avenues full of smiles and jubilation. The character in these schools has changed enormously due to the practice of The Five Strategies of the Virtues Project.

SUCCESSES

The population of the two schools has kept increasing tremendously. In the last three months, Eshirumba’s population has increased 20 percent, while Mwiyenga’s population has grown 15 percent. This is a remarkable increase! Despite this rapid growth, performance has continued to improve. St. Joseph's Eshirumba’s test scores have risen from a mean of 45 percent to more than 58 percent for the most recent midterm exams, and we are expecting to achieve a mean of 65 percent for final exams.

A few reasons for this continued good performance at the schools are: 1) learners have become committed and eager to learn; 2) the lunch program has eradicated absenteeism and truancy, leading to greater purposefulness; 3) teachers are committed to their work, and do their work with a lot of dedication and diligence; 4) parents have become responsible and caring, giving learners and the school support in their own special way. Kudos to The Virtues Program, which has contributed to the success of these schools.

Recently, for the first time in our schools’ history, our students participated in a drama festival and received first place in the competition. This achievement, along with the support of new school uniforms and free lunch, has boosted the self-esteem of learners. Most teachers at Mwiyenga and Eshirumba schools have now been trained in The Five Strategies, apart from a few who are awaiting training.

Virtues Club meetings and Virtues Card picks every Monday and Tuesday are shaping the students’ character, day in and day out. Most of them have become responsible and diligent, giving their best in any subject. Parents keep connecting with the school to learn more about Virtues. I can't even list all the benefits we have received from The Virtues Project. Thank you, thank you and again thank you!

CHALLENGES

• More Virtues Materials are needed.
• Our lunch program must remain a top priority.
• Many orphans staying with elderly and ailing guardians need our support in terms of uniforms and food.
• The schools are new and are still becoming established, with new challenges arising on a regular basis.
• We continue to cover school fees for the orphans and many others.

THE WAY FORWARD

• We are working towards training all teachers and parents of the schools in The Five Strategies of the Virtues Project.
•  We have started an agriculture project to raise funds to aid ailing guardians.
• We are planning to start a new Benevolent Kitty to support orphans with upkeep.
• We are continuing to strive to change the perspective of the entire community through practicing The Five Strategies of the Virtues Project. 

For all these developments and more, we say thank you so much for holding our hand when we could not even crawl. May God bless you as you keep putting smiles on the faces of these vulnerable learners. We are indeed grateful. God bless you!