Jambo everyone. Today I was able to go to another school called Siralli. I asked to go because these teachers were in the workshops also and they really wanted me to see their classes. I went with one other team member, Alana who is studying to be a neurologist. Siralli has 5 special needs classes set in a public school. These classes have all developmentally delayed chilren up to 26 or so. They all walk because they do not have a dormitory yet, but they are building one. The headmaster (principal) told me that these children may walk up to 8 miles to school.
We visited the classes and showed the children the switch toys, which they loved. Because all the teachers want to use the switch toys , the director of Kupenda decided we would leave them in his office and teachers from all the schools could sign them out for week. The same with all the textbooks I brought. I had given a teacher at the workshop a book on developing behavior plans and I saw it on the headmaster’s desk. He took it from the teacher because he deals with behavior from all the classes. He showed me how he was reading and summarizing each chapter. These teachers are thirsting for more knowledge with little resources. Then I went back to Gede to do crafts with some of the children. Tomorrow is our last day with the children as we leave for the Safari on Saturday.
In this blog I willl describe the bathroom facilities since I had to use the one at Gede for the first time. The other people from our team refer to the as “squatty pottys” lol it is basically a basin in the ground. And that is a step up from what most Kenyans have. I took a picture of it. We are lucky in our houses we have a toilet albeit a very very primitive one. Our shower is the corner of the bathroom that has been sectioned off with two pieces of wood. There is a head of the shower and a hole in the floor for the water to drain out. We do have some hot water. No shower curtains ect. This shower is considered a luxury in Kenya. Most of them wash themselves from a basin. One of my team members took their shower with this huge cockroach bug running around ( I have had to also deal with this bug until Emma caught it last night and threw it out the window. ) Huray for that although I spray the bugs with my trusty listerine and it really does keep them away. I should do a commercial for that stuff when I get back. Lol kwaheri everyone. Love Fran
Can”t believe your trip is almost over. What an experience! You are so wonderful to do this. I bet the children just love you!!! I will help you in any way I can. Can’t wait to see you. Have fun on the safari.
Diane
By: Diane on July 24, 2009
at 3:19 am
Jambo. What amazing experiences you’ve had. It really makes me realize how very lucky we are to have the supplies/support that we have at school. Many of my personal teaching textbooks are collecting dust..must be a way to share them… Can’t wait to hear more. Be well.
Laura
By: laura on July 24, 2009
at 2:20 pm
Hi Fran, I have so enjoyed reading your blog, I am living vicariously, I would so love to do an Africa teaching stint. What a wonderful experience you are having, food would be a challenge for me too! Let me know what I can do to help your friends there.
Liz Raycroft
By: Liz Raycroft on July 24, 2009
at 4:08 pm
Fran I am very impressed. I printed up the last 3 days and gave to mom- she really enjoys . Quite as I have reading the journal Quite interesting the bathroom
By: Angela on July 24, 2009
at 8:19 pm
Now you will have very specific ideas about what your Kenyan students need, and can work toward getting them that, as much as possible. What a blessing for them. What an life-changing experience for you, too, Girlfriend!
By: Carol on July 25, 2009
at 1:43 pm
hmmm no reading the readers digest while “pooping” keep going strong remember you can definitely squish a bug!!
By: faith on July 25, 2009
at 6:20 pm