Spring 2013

 

       Spring 2013!!!

It does not seem possible that a year has passed since we saw "our kids"! We call them and write them every month and when we speak on the phone, they manage their end of the conversation much better. In their letters, there is obvious improvement in their vocabulary and grammar. We also keep in regular contact with their teachers Sammy and Jim, who send us their exam scores.



Grandma working in her fields of corn
 and millet with Veronicah and Moses.
 

   At The Patrician School students take tests monthly so we know that there have been good months and difficult months. We attribute some of that to the adjustment period of  the older 3 being  boarders and living in one room with 50 fellow students. We also know that English continues to be a struggle for them. Unlike the majority of their classmates, these kids had only had a couple years of school before they were orphaned. They had never read a book and had learned little beyond their ABC's. Their early years were of a basic subsistency level. I can't say if anyone ever truly cherished them, though I certainly hope so; it's possible that they were viewed as "one more mouth to feed". They had been sent to live with their other Grandma but she had been unable to care for them and were then sent on to Grandma Jane. Grandma Jane didn't have enough money for food, let alone school, so the kids found odd jobs to earn a few shillings.

      The Kenyan school calendar runs on a 3 month program; schools close for the entire months of April, August and December and like all children in the agrarian countryside, they must help with planting, hoeing and harvesting.

    Enrolling the older 3 as boarders in the school guaranteed them basic daily meals and we give them small pocket change so they can buy extra bread or tea. Boarding is not permitted before grade 5, so Moses still has a few years at home living with grandma and that means, no sanitation, water or electricity. That's not a very conducive environment for learning.

New bathing suits from America. Don't they just love those goggles!

   Our contact person is Carolyne Mabeya, a friend, mother and social worker who has volunteered to manage the finances for our family. Her husband is the fistula surgeon whom we got to know well during our time in Kenya. We are so grateful to her and all she does. It is really just not possible to send money to Africa without a reliable and trustworthy intermediary, funds are certain to get "diverted". Carolyne values every penny we send her and makes sure it is wisely spent. All expenses are paid directly to The Brothers of St. Patrick and are tax-deductible as a charitable donation, including school tuition as well as texts, school uniforms, swimming lessons, tutoring etc.

 

  The children study hard and with the help of teachers Sammy and Jim, they understand more and more English. However, it was felt that the older 3 should repeat their grade level for the 2013 year. Moses however, advanced to the 3rd year of kindergarten and proudly recited his ABC's on the phone when we called. They love being Scouts and wear their new uniforms weekly to school where they lead the flag-raising ceremony (the short video captures Veronicah and Kelvin practicing their Scout drill).

  The grades at the end of 2013 were good enough for all of them to advance, which was a great relief to us. They had already taken that grade level for 2 years and we certainly didn't want them to be taking it a third time.

Kelvin, Moses, Sharon and Veronicah with their teachers and Grandma

To move on to the next grade level, a score of 250 (out of total possible 500) is needed. Sharon scored a 307, Kelvin 293 and Veronicah 279. Sharon ranked 34th out of her class of 51 students, Kelvin (in the same class as Sharon) ranked 41 out of 51, and Veronicah 39 out of 44. Moses ranked 10th out of his class of 42 and was able to skip his last year of kindergarten.

Moses graduates from kindergarten!!! He is the furthest on the right

   The school system in Kenya runs on a calendar year so in January 2014 Sharon and Kelvin will be 6th graders, Veronicah will be in 5th grade and Moses in 1st grade. YIPPEE!!!

The boys looking spiffy in their new jackets

Two pretty young ladies

   The family is Christian and Christmas is celebrated throughout Kenya. These kids had never received gifts before, so we arranged for our dear friend Carolyne to grant them a Christmas wish. They all wanted new "going-to-church" clothes; the girls chose a matching skirt and blouse ensemble, the boys found new jackets. Our dear Grandma's only request was fertilizer for her crops. We happily obliged and also arranged a bountiful Christmas dinner with meat and fresh fruit. It was a Christmas to remember!
  We called them on December 31, 2013 to wish them a Happy New Year. Here's to great happenings in 2014!!!!
We keeping our fingers crossed-