Give a Scholarship this Christmas

As you think of the things on your Christmas list, please consider one gift that will make a real difference in someone's life. 

A $300 scholarship for a desperately poor high school student in Kenya can change their life.  If you can only spare a bit, every bit counts!  Take the time to read some of the letters below and I know you will then agree that your scholarship gift will make this Christmas the best Christmas ever for the students of Kyaithani Secondary School in eastern Kenya.

Thanks for your help as we strive to increase the number of scholarships from the 17 we provided last year to a much larger number for the 150 students at this school who all come from very poor families.

Merry Christmas to all our Donors.

Student Letters re Nairobi educational day trip

Please take a few moments to read these wonderful letters from the students and teachers of Kyaithani Secondary School.  Letters of gratitude for the educational day trip to Nairobi which our donors provided.  And expressions of gratitude for the scholarships and everything else that our donors have provided.  Your support is making a difference in so many lives.

We provided 17 scholarships to help keep some of these students in school in 2012.  As we approach our Christmas season, its also time to top up our scholarship fund.  Please help if you can.
Thank you donors!

From Sammy Masila, Vice Principal, Kyaithani Secondary School
Dear Donors
The Kyaithani community is very grateful to you and all the donors for sponsoring all the students and the teachers for that wonderful trip to the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi.  Anxiety was high as every one was anxiously waiting for that day to come. The night preceeding the trip is a day to remember because students did not sleep, they were arriving to school as early as 3.00am .

We waited for the buses to arrive with alot of curiosity. When they arrived we all got in and started the journey. After travelling for only 25 km on our local dirt road, we arrived at the Kitui-Nairobi highway at a town called Kwa-Vonza and one student exclaimed " We have reached Nairobi" only to be told that that was just a small town along the highway and Nairobi was 160km away.

Apart from the students, none of the teachers had gone to the Sheldrick Elephant orphanage before. It was amazing to see elephants at close quarters.

 

The lunch which we ate was so classic that the students were greatly amazed.

 

At the Giraffe Center it was lots of fun as each one of us fed the Giraffes. We were told the life history of Giraffes and it was fascinating.

After parting with you we went to Bomas of Kenya instead of to the National Museum (because of the rioting downtown by the college students trying to get an end to the teachers' strike). We enjoyed folk songs from different tribes in Kenya, then we drove back to our village.

Next time you may think of coming with a few Canada students to Kenya and to Kyaithani.

 

We are making good use of the computers which have been donated and the studends are really happy about them. They are eagerly waiting to read emails from Canada.

 

What we would request is a printer and a photocopier which would make it easy to avail examinations to students.

 

Once again, we say Thank you so much.

With regards.

Sammy Masila

 

From Form 4 Students at Kyaithani Secondary School

 Dear Donors

First and foremost receive more greetings from Form Four Candidates.  We hope you are fine.  on our side, we are quite well working hard in our studies to better our future lives.  We have decided to take this chance to tell you more about the trip to Nairobi.

 

What we can tell you is that we were very grateful and glad for you.  For that good promotion you offered to us, as for most of us this was their first time to visit Nairobi town.  It was very educative trip if we can say because because we gained a lot.

 

Most of us we could not afford for all the provisions you covered.  In every place we visited we were able to learn something.  Meanwhile that trip transformed our minds to think beyond where we are standing.

 

At the first place we visited, David Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, we were happy to see elephants with our own eyes and touch them.  the game wardens exposed us to know about the history of those elephants.  We observed that the elephants had a memory like human beings.  They could respond when called by their nicknames and also knew how to observe time as they could guess the time of taking meals and time of any other activity.  It was also surprising that they normally had set specific places for sleeping just like human beings.

 

Later we visited the Giraffe Center, where we were grouped in two categories - that is Form 1 and 2 class and Form 3 and 4 class - where we went to different rooms in our group where we were educated more about giraffes.  For example giraffes are of three species, camouflaged to live in such conditions and they give birth to 3-4 calves. We were also given a chance to give them some food tablets using our hands.  We also took their photographs.

 

Lastly there at the Giraffe Center we were educated on environmental conservation and this made us to learn more about the importance of conserving the environment.

 

The last place to visit was the Bomas of Kenya where we watched music, dances and some various cultures from different tribes.  Some of us could join the dances.  Actually it was very interesting.  We learnt that we can exploit our talents and culture.

 

On the other hand, we would like to appreciate for all the meals we ate that day because of your support and well wishes to us.  The journey back to our school was very safe and there were no problems.

 

In conclusion, we were all happy about the trip and we all keep on congratulating and remembering you for that and all other support that you have done to us such as provision of water, lights and sponsoring education of some students which is very encouraging us to pray to our God to bless and add you favours to live for long.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH

God bless you very much

Form Four Students

 

From Form 3 Students at Kyaithani Secondary School

Dear Donors

We take this chance to salute you.  How are you?  We appreciate you for sponsoring the trip we had to Nairobi.  We say thank you for providing us with very comfortable means of transport, food and paying for various places that we visited that is Elephant Orphange, Giraffe Center and Bomas of Kenya.

 

we visited Elephant Orphange where by we learnt more about elephants. We learnt that some of the elephants are namede according to their point of origin. They also have characteristics similar to those of human beings.hey also contain some adaptations, for example the trunk assists them in their feeding.  We also learnt that during hot temperatures they flap their ears to cool their body temperature.  They also live in herds.

 

We also visited Giraffe Center.  There we had a class where by we were taught different species of giraffes like Samburu and Maasai species.  They also have some adaptationswhich include a long neck which enables them to feed on tall trees.  Also a rough tongue which enables them to feed on rough and thorny trees.  We went ahead and saw the giraffe physically also taken some snaps together with them.  We really enjoyed because it was our first time to see a giraffe.

 

Our last area of visit was Bomas of Kenya.  There we received lots of entertainment.  In addition to that we saw traditional dances and activities from different tribes of Kenya.  One of Form Three students was iinvolved in the dance.  The different tribes wore different types of clothes.

 

We kindly request you to forgive us because some of us went ahead throwing litter through the bus windows hence dirtying the environment which was unpleasant.  We appreciate for what you did for us that day and what you have been doing for us.  We hope tht you are going to sponsor another trip.

 

May the Almighty God shower you with His blessings.  Thank you.

 

From Form 2 Students at Kyaithani Secondary School

Dear donors

We kindly take this opportunity to say high to you Terry, Jan and other donors at large.  It is grateful since the Almighty God has granted this chance to us and appreciate you for the good deeds that you have done to us.

 

We thank you for the trip that you offered to us.  Actually, we enjoyed ourselves in travelling to Nairobi.  Many of us had never visited.  We also enjoyed travelling by those huge buses.  We congratulate you for the breakfast we had at Machakos.  Afterwards we left for Nairobi when we were satisfied.

 

On the way we saw big buildings, ostrich and other wild animals.  The expensive big aeroplanes and expensive vehicles we saw made us to predict as if we had arrived at Canada.

 

On the way to the animal orphanage we saw Langata Burial Estate which made us surprised.  On reaching the animal orphanage we found you and your fellow Canadians whom you looked alike and we could not differentiate you from them.  The elephants we saw were so big and their feeding surprised us.  We also saw our Naipoki that you gifted us with.  (Terry & Jan sponsor this baby elephant for the school).

 

We appreciate for the balanced lunch that you provided us with.  It was a delicious meal we had never had.  We proceeded to Giraffe Center.  Wow!  What a tall animal it was.  We climbed up the stairs and fed them.  We were amazed to see tortoise eating carrots among other vegetables.

 

Later we had our last visit at Bomas of Kenya.  There we found different communities which presented their culture.  It was an expensive building with upstairs and we imagined how much it cost to construct it.  There were also acrobats who entertained the audience.

 

So we made our way back to our home place and arrived safely.  We apologize for any awful things that some of us did unintentionally and hope come next time they would not repeat.

 

We also request you come next year, you organize for another trip somewhere else if possible because it is part of our academic learning.  This will be most appreciated.

 

We all in unity pray to God to bless you and stay long as you keep on helping us.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

From Form 1 Students at Kyaithani Secondary School

Dear donors

Kindly we take this opportunity to jot to you this report.  We first thank you for the trip you had taken us to Nairobi.  This is because some of the students had not visited some of the places you took us.  we learnt alot from those places.

 

We were excited to see some of the animals in the animal orphanage such as Naipoki our elephant and other elephants, rhinos and also giraffes in the Giraffe Center.

 

We later visited Bomas of Kenya where we enjoyed seeing traditional songs and dances.  we commend for the packed meal which we enjoyed in the midst of the day.

 

We apologize for any mistake we did unknowingly like throwing litter through the windows.  We request you next time to take us to Mombassa.  Finally we also request you to build us dorms for both boys and girls.

 

May God bless you and the work of your hands.

 

Thank you

 

Yours lovingly, The dear Form Ones

 

From Kyaithani Secondary School Staff

Dear Jan, Terry and Donors

We, the Kyaithani Secondary School staff, are glad to inform you that we really appreciate the golden opportunity you awarded for the trip to Nairobi on 20th September 2012.

It was most educational, explorative and even entertaining. We learned a lot from the adventure. The time spent with you was so enjoyable to say that we will live to remember.

To us you are such good people we can ever imagine of. Your kind generosity have really changed our lives. May you live long to keep on doing good to others as well. it is our prayer that you lack nothing good and live to enjoy the good work you are doing to people.

Thank you for your good. We are happy to mention your fabulous contributions towards our good stay in our school as well as the community.

Once again, thank you and may God bless you abundantly. We look forward to meeting you once again.

 

From Form 1 student, Frida

Dear Terry, Jan and donors

I kindly take this opportunity to say high to you Terry, Jan and other donors at large.

 

It is grateful that the Almighty King has granted this chance to me to jot to you.  I thank you for the wonderful deeds that you have done in Kyaithani community.  Actually,, we thank God for giving you such knowledge and wisdom.  Due to your deeds Kyaithani is the most blessed school around.

 

I should also comment for the trip that you organized for the school.  We went there in the largest city Nairobi and enjoyed ourselves.  It was just your mercy and understanding that you took us there both students, teachers and the school committee members.

 

We were very grateful to have a look at the elephant orphanage.  It was very interesting to see such big animals for my first time.  at first I was very surprised to see people having a touch on such an animal which I had been seen in pictures.  Also commend the look at the giraffes in the giraffe center.  Their tallness surprised each one of us who had never seen them before.

 

I would like to apologize for anything that we messed on behalf of my fellow students.  Some of us threw the litter through the windows to the road.  I am sure that would have surprised you because you didn't expect it. 

 

Lastly we pray to the Almighty God to grant you blessings wherever you are.  Your names shall remain in our heart forever and ever.  May the Almighty King grant you a long living life.  Amen

 

From Form 4 student, Felistus

Dear Terry, Jan and donors

First I would like to thank God for the care he has taken upon us all. Again for the sponsorship that I have received from you dear friends.  It is really helping me as most of my time I am spending in school and I'm getting more time for revision especially this time I am waiting to sit for my National Exams.  May God help you much to keep on doing the good jobs or making the needs of poor fellows paramountly gared for.

 

On behalf of my dear students we are grateful for the trip you sponsored for us.  It was marvelous.  Your goodness is remembered by every student because almost three quarters of the students had never been to Nairobi.  Some of the places we enjoyed visiting were; the Sheldrick Wildlife Service at Nairobi National Park sepecially to see our young kid Naipoki.  The Bomas of Kenya where our cultural heritage is preserved.  Also the Giraffe Center where we learnt the sub-species of giraffes and also we enjoyed feeding one of the giraffes.

 

We really enjoyed touring our country and viewing the developments taking place in our country.  Congratulations for your good deeds.  I can only promise to work hard in my studies, aiming at the best of my ability to achieve my goals.

 

Terry and Jan and donors, you are our best friends.  You are actually transforming our youthful lives to adult thinking minds and civilised people.  May God bless you abundently.  Live long!  You are in fact role models to many of us.  I can do nothing much but pray for God's favour to be upon you.

 

Be blessed in all your endeavours.  Thanks

 

From Form 4 student, John

Dear Terry, Jan and donors

I hope you are fine.  I write on behalf of the Kyaithani Secondary School Students to greatly appreciate for your concern and sacrifice that you financed a trip for us.  It is great pleasure that we learned many things that actually changed and improved our education and future aspirations in life.  It is a fact that the highest percentage of us had never gone to Nairobi.  Upon visiting the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Center, Bomas of Kenya and also the streets of Nairobi, it was unbelievable and has left a large desire to go back there either individually or collectively.  We are happy for the Naipoki elephant you sponsored for us upon which on seeing her we adored her.

 

We are also grateful for the packed food which actually changed our diet as it was familiar to us.

 

Unfortunately it was out of our knowledge that we wronged by littering the Sheldrick area when it was an offense to do so.  We ask for forgiveness and promise that we won't repeat upon being given another chance.

 

Finally we miss your presence and we pray upon God to bless you and your work.

 

From Form 4 student, Kelvin

Dear Terry, Jan and donors

Let me take this chance which I have been given by Almighty Father in a very special way to say hi to you (Terry and Jan and your fellow donors including Neil and Jackie) for sacrificing yourselves to come in Kenya which is a less developed country, a hot and dry area to help people who are in need especially at Kyaithani Secondary School and the five schools forming the cluster.  Please feel part of us and much appreciated.

 

Secondly we are much appreciative both teachers and students of Kyaithani Secondary School at large for extending your help and bringing two more computers in our school.  Therefore we have access to internet and we can now communicate with other students in Canada.  We will try our best not to ashame you but to do our best in our final exams.

 

With much regards

 

 From Form 3 students, Doreen and Damaris
Dear Terry and Jan and donors
Hallo Terry, Jan and donors. Hope you are fine. We are also fine and going on well with our studies. We are glad to have this marvelous chance to thank you for the provision of lights which have actually assisted our brothers and sisters in form four to tackle their (K.C.S.E) Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education exams and also the rest of the students in the school.

We are also privilege to have this moment to thank you for buying of two sets of laptops of which we are using to communicate to you. We pray the almighty God that He may add you more knowledge and wisdom to create more ways of helping us to improve our school to be the best.

We would like you to know that, the hand which donates is more blessed than the one which receives. Lastly, we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. WoW!

Yours faithfully,   Doreen and Damaris (form 3)
 

Kyaithani Students and Teachers visit Nairobi - Sept 20, 2012

Thanks to the quick response of our donors, we were successful in raising enough money to send all 135 students and the teaching staff of Kyaithani Secondary School on the environmental educational day trip to Nairobi. 

Below is a story about our day with the Kyaithani Secondary School students in Nairobi.  It is taken from Jan's www.travelwithjan.blogspot.com website.

And click HERE to watch a video of our visit and safari.

It was an early start - again! After another shower to get rid of the dust from our trip to Kyaithani and Ndandini villages yesterday, we packed a bag that we could leave at the TRIBE hotel the following day when we head off on safari. Next was the JINKA restaurant, on the ground floor looking out on to the pool, for a quick breakfast. A fabulous buffet, my favourite at the moment - hard to choose between the almond croissant or the fresh toast with a selection of lovely cheeses!

Ray, from Gamewatchers Safaris, picked us up at 9am, and our first stop was at the Nakumatt supermarket in the Village Market next door to pick up 150 bottles of water and packages of cookies. This took a little longer than we thought but we were soon off to ensure we arrived at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see the elephants being fed by 11am. There was a traffic hold up and we were starting to worry a little about arriving in time. Then we received a text message from Sammy, the Vice Principle at Kyaithani Secondary School - they were off on time (5am they left the school) but it took them longer than expected to reach Nairobi. Our second message came as we got closer to Sheldrick, they were equidistant to us coming in on another road. Then we saw two school buses pulling out of the Nairobi National Park - sure enough - this was them and our van ended up between two of the buses. The kids started waving at us through the back window and hanging out the windows to say Hello - we were so pleased to see them all. However - the third bus was missing. The Vice Principal Sammy on the missing bus, then phoned us so we put Ray, our driver, on the phone with the school bus driver and he gave the bus driver directions on how to get to Sheldrick.

KYAITHANI SECONDARY SCHOOL KIDS VISIT SHELDRICK

You may remember that there are 42 tribes in Kenya each with their own language. As luck would have it, Ray came from an area not far from Kyaithani and he was Kamba and spoke the same language as the bus drivers - this would prove to be so helpful as the day continued! We all pulled into Sheldrick parking lot, where we found out that the guard did not have down that these 150 kids and teachers were booked to see the elephants! The Guard and I raced over to the entrance where all was OK'd and so back to let all the kids out of the buses and into the field where the elephants (fondly called ellies by us) would be fed - they arrived as all the elephants were being led in.

The elephants enter in two groups led by their keepers who spend 24 hours a day with them, even sleeping in their pens with the elephants (each elephant in his or her own pen) and get up every 3 hours to give them another bottle of milk. Yes, they are fed with bottles - a huge 2 or 3 foot long bottle with a teat and the elephants know how to grab this bottle and they empty it unbelievably fast! There are 3 keepers who explain everything about the elephants, where they came from, why they are in the Sheldrick elephant orphanage - most are poaching victims where their mother was killed, some fell down well boreholes and could not get out so the herd had to leave them behind - all very sad stories. Elephants are very social creatures and many grieve for a long time when they arrive at the orphanage - most having been flown there in the small planes. But the other elephants take them into the orphanage family and they start to settle down.

KIDS LINEUP FOR LUNCH BOXES

The kids were all fascinated and listened intently to the keeper who did all of his talking in Swahili so that they could easily understand everything - there were lots of questions and answers, and big smiles all around - especially from us - we were so happy to see these Kenyan kids enjoying, and learning from, a wonderful field trip. All too soon the 1 hour session was over and the kids headed back to their buses. While we had been enjoying the elephants, Gamewatchers had done a stellar job and had picked up 150 lunch boxes! (Getting these lunch boxes arranged the day before while we were all in Ndandini village was quite an interesting challenge.) So back at the parking lot, there were two Gamewatchers vehicles with all the lunchboxes and bottles of water - and a long line of 150 kids in a very orderly fashion passing past and picking up their lunch and taking it back on the bus! A huge ``Thank You`` to all the Gamewatchers staff, from Florence who found several suppliers to put together all the lunches, to Ray, Dennis and the other support drivers who made sure they all arrived on time - and to the owners Jake and Mohanjeet who agreed to let their staff and vehicles help us out - there is absolutely no way that this would have happened without Gamewatchers!

STUDENTS FEED GIRAFFE AT THE GIRAFFE CENTRE

Next stop was the Giraffe Centre which is also in the Karen area on the outskirts of Nairobi (remember Karen Blixen ? The famous lady memorialized by Meryl Streep in the movie Out of Africa?). This is a learning and conservation centre for the scarce and endangered Rothschild giraffes found only in Western Kenya. Apart from seeing them walk peacefully around in the huge reserve, there is also a feeding platform where you climb a few stairs and are then level with the giraffes heads. We had arranged for all the students to learn about the rare Rothschild giraffes, (along with several warthogs) and even to feed them! It was so funny to watch the students each given a pellet of food, then walk past the giraffe and place the pellet on the giraffes' tongue - the kids would squeal and jump as the soft tongue of the giraffe delicately took each pellet from their fingers!

The kids had been split into a couple of groups and so they started to wander over to Neil, Jackie, Terry and I and continue asking their questions of us, and wanting more photos taken - they were so enjoying their field trip! Again Ray and his Kamba language, to say nothing of his great organising and assistance skills came into play. He did a marvelous job of keeping the three buses together and not missing any turns as we headed to the Giraffe Center. When the kids arrived on the buses, he got the three very large buses parked on the narrow street outside the main tourist area. Then he organised all the kids and teachers into a group so that we could have a couple of photos taken together. Naturally the Giraffe Centre gate staff had not received the word that we were coming and were not expecting us!! but that was all eventually looked after so that the visit was a huge success.

While we were in the Giraffe centre - Ray received a phone call from Gamewatchers telling him that the University students were protesting and rioting in downtown Nairobi against the Teachers Strike which is now in its' third week. No kids in Kenya have been to school for the last 3 weeks! (all the teachers in the 6 Kyaithani cluster of schools were also on strike - it is mandatory to belong to the Teachers' Union but they had come along to look after the kids). The third and last stop of the field trip was scheduled to be the Natural History Museum in downtown Nairobi - right next to where the protest was taking place! Needless to say with the chaos going on this would simply not happen. So while we were looking at giraffes and talking to the kids and teachers, Ray had phoned the local "Bomas of Kenya" attraction. This is where several homes or "shambas" have been set up depicting life in different areas of Kenya, along with an auditorium presentation of singing and dancing from various tribes. Ray arranged for the 150 kids to be able to see this then came and OK'd with us the change and the cost for everyone to go. We were so happy to have this issue looked after and for the kids to still get a very full day of new experiences and education about their own country - its' peoples and animals.

So our time together had come to an end! We said Kwaheri (Goodbye) to the kids and we went our separate ways - all of them asking how soon we would be back and to bring along more people for them to meet! That night we received a text message that the day had been a huge success and they had all arrived safely home around 9pm in Kyaithani - many of the kids having left home at 3am that morning. And of course they still had long distances to walk home after the buses getting them back to the Kyaithani School. Thank You so much to everyone of you for your support and donations that made this day such a huge success, and that gave the Kyaithani Secondary School kids the opportunity to see Nairobi and the elephants, giraffes and Kenya Bomas which they would otherwise never have seen - you have broadened minds, and probably changed lives and futures with this experience for the kids!

Terry & Jan Umbach

Will you HELP TO SEND 135 STUDENTS TO NAIROBI for a one day field trip?

We are going to send some, and preferably all, of the 135 students and 12 teaching staff from Kyaithani Secondary School on a one day educational field trip to Nairobi.  To send the whole school will require 3 large buses.  The students would leave the school in Kyaithani before 6am for the 4+ hour drive to Nairobi and not return until after 9pm, so its a very long day.  To rent the 3 buses and provide the students with food and water during the day will cost $3600.

We have arrangements for September 20, (2012) as the day for this to happen.

Most of the students have never been far from Kyaithani and never to Nairobi!  They have never seen any of the animals that we all love to see on safari in Kenya.  We are planning for them to attend the one hour viewing of the baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.  Then spend some time with the Rothschild Giraffes at the Giraffe Center.  And finish up with some time seeing the interesting displays at the Museum in Nairobi.

The principal of Kyaithani Secondary School is very excited at the prospect and thinks it will make a major difference in the lives and understanding of the students.

If you would like to help us make this happen with a donation, please click on the DONATE HERE button at the right.  Canadians will receive an immediate tax receipt for your donation.

We need your donation before September 7th to be able to finalize all arrangements.

Thanks for your interest in the students of Kyaithani and the future of the community.

Terry & Jan

New Student Letters show benefits of Water

Here are two letters recently received from students at Kyaithani Secondary School (using the internet-enabled PC and camera donated last year).  Your donations are making a REAL DIFFERENCE in the lives of the students and villagers in the Ndandini and Kyaithani area!

Dear Terry and Donors, 25/6/2012

Let me take the golden chance to salute you, I would like to register my appreciation on behave of our community for the water that have brought very close to us, actually it has assisted us very much.

 

For one it has been used for domestic purposes like for example we used to make ten kilometres bringing livestock to the only available river which is called river Tiva. Last year a number of cattle died because they were not able to walk for long distances in search of water. Again water supply has led to time management , since i used to walk for far distances going to fetch water after school, now am utilising my time while, I normally walks half kilometre where i cannot take more 30 minutes.

 

Secondly it has created job opportunities, like for example the driver for tractor has got job since he was being trained on and he had lacked a job and due to your provision of tractor he has got job and he is happy on that, he will educate his children and also to cater for his family needs.

 

Since the water is very near, they have capture up their mind to use water for making bricks to earn some money which will cater for their satisfaction. And due to this they will be tired and they will not get time to engage in drug abuse.

 

Finally request from our community members if possible the water should be piped to the six schools so that everybody to feel comfortable. Thank you

Compiled by

EMMACULATE KASYOKA (a form 4 student)

 

TO: Donors

Hope you are fine. I write to thank you for the water provision project to our community with the inclusion of the tractor donated to us. We are grateful for your kindness and humanity as per benefits and output of your concern. The water project has helped in and benefited us in the following ways:-

1.       Improvement of hygiene as the water provided is very clean and safe for consumption and domestic use.

2.       Creation of employment in reflection to the driver of the tractor, care takers of water tanks, watchman and others.

3.       Supply of water to the school; so children don’t carry water to school every day from their home which is tiresome.

4.       Simplified fighting deforestation due to the availability of water to be use in planting trees.

5.       Reduced wastage of time when going and coming from the river.

6.       Some people use the water to plant vegetables and fruits like pawpaw and passions

7.       The water is making us turn our school into a ‘green school’ because we are watering our small trees. This will make them to survive during this long dry hot season.

Actually you have acted as role model to our society and we promise to utilise the water in the best way. May God bless you.

From: John Mbithi Form 4 student

Here are a couple of photos they also sent.  (There are more on our project website at www.ndandini.blogspot.com )

Scholarships to be given for 2012 year

A BIG THANKS to all our donors! 

Because of your great support of the Kyaithani Secondary School scholarship fund this past year, we will be able to continue to provide the $300 scholarships to each of the 9 scholarship students who received them last year.

As well, this year we will be providing additional scholarships to the 7 new students who have excelled this past year and have joined the ranks of those previous 9 scholars who have achieved being in the "top 3" in their school year.  Each of these new scholarships will be for $150.

Students receiving scholarships this year are:
Form 4:  David (new), John, Anna (new), Kelvin, and Felistus N.
Form 3:  Felistus K (new), Faith, Syombua, and Maureen.
Form 2:  Shadrack, Joyce (new), Sophia, and Joseph.
Form 1:  Mary (new), Titus (new), and Frida (new).

Thanks again.  Please keep the scholarship fund in your giving plans for 2012.  Every one of the students are deeply appreciative of your generosity - as are we.

Terry

Letter from Alex - a teacher at Kyaithani Secondary School

Here is a recent letter we have received.  It is very interesting and shows how much the students are anticipating the arrival of potable water at their school and how they are thinking about how they can help get more food grown in their village.

Alex also mentions the teachers' desire to take some of the students into Nairobi on a field trip to expose them to the city and to see some of the very informative and potentially life-changing attractions such as the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and the Bomas of Kenya.  We think that would be great.  Perhaps this is another thing that our donors could support?  Let me know your thoughts ( terryumbach@hotmail.com ).

Terry

"Its amazing and wonderfull to learn about life in canada. I wonder how you survive in such an hostile climate?Then you must find kenya too hot! such climatical conditions are part of what we teach our students and to them and even us it sounds mystery.

Its now 13.05 pm and our students are out for lunch. part of whom have found themselves in the photos in the computer have not believed it.Very soon you will be receiving emails from our students who are eargerly learning the computer.

The tanks have been installed in the school and from the water we are expecting to get, the students have suggested that we plant vegetables to supplement their diet.

The beneficieries of the scolarships are doing quite well in their academics and as teachers we have high expectations on their performance.

we have plans to take our students for a trip in Nairobi to expose them to some places like museum, animal orphanage, bomas of kenya and other place we feel relevant. our prayers is that our parents will be able to finance the trip.

We are lucky to have a very supportive and loving principal who ever since has offered guidance to both the students and teachers. We are in the process of registering our first candidates for the National examination. Hows the education system structured in Canada?this will be their final exam afterwhich those who qualify will be selected to join universties late next year.

The research I did recently using the computer was based on the school based chalenges that affect performance in the primary school sector in my district. I will send it to you and you get to know the hindrances to good performance among the pupils in our place.

I guess its at night in canada when we are enjoying sunshine here and therefore I wish you a well continued sleep. Thanks and God bless you"

Alex Musembi, Kyaithani Secondary School teacher

Letters from the Nine Scholarship students 17Jan12

This past September we provided an internet-enabled PC to the Kyaithani Secondary School and set up email accounts for the administration, teachers and students.  We are in regular correspondence now with the administration and teachers.

Here are the first letters of 2012 from the students.  Unfortunately, just as for the past 14 years or so, the much needed and anticipated rains have again failed and the area will be short of food and families will have little income - finding it hard to pay the school fees for their children to go to school.

You will read of this and other things of interest in the letters.

All students and teachers - all of us - appreciate your support of the scholarship fund.
Terry
                                                                                                                                                           

17/01/2012

Dear our loving donors through Terry,

I will be glad if you receive this letter and wish to get the information about our December holiday. I also thank you for the contribution to my education.

As we had broken for the holiday, we had conducted for a tuition for the former form threes and twos. The environment was harsh for us. We sowed some of the foodstuffs and due to low rainfall, we couldn’t harvest anything from our shambas. This has caused many of us to lack food and also some pasture for our cattle.

Life at school is not so hard. I am still working hard to achieve the best goal if possible. Last term I was position 3 in a class of 34. I’m still putting more efforts in my academic and also in curricular activities. My promise is that, I’m continuing to work hard to achieve the best grade.

What I have to tell you lastly, is just to say thanks and congratulations to you and donors. I appreciate you too much. May God bless!

Thanks in advance

Yours sincerely

Sophia (Form 2)

Our dear donors through Terry,

Much   greetings from I Shadrack. Hope that you are fine and you’ve got a happy new year. I am fine on my side and going on well with my education. Last term I studied very hard and attained position 1 out of 34 students.

We had gone for a December vacation which took a month before the opening date of the school. During the vacation, we had no holiday tuition except our former form threes and form twos. However, I used to spare sometime at home especially during my leisure time to read and for my academic purpose.

Since this is a new year and am in a new class, I have planned to work extra hard in learning activities to ensure that at the end of it all, I will have to achieve my target.

Last year, I performed well in my academics. However, this did not impress me a lot since I did not achieve what I wanted. I will work harder till I achieve my goal.

Lastly, I am looking forward for your reply.

Yours sincerely

Shadrack.    (Form two)

Dear donors through Terry and Janet

I hope that you are fine. The other side I am also fine. First I thank my God for a new life He has given me. I again thank you very much for the care you have taken for me. I also congratulate your donors for hard work they have done. I am very happy because of that.

I am very happy for the money that you have sent for me last year. It was used in a right way. Some was used as a school fee and the rest was used to buy the uniform. Last year I studied very well and now I am in form two. I would like to tell you I am in academic and in sports. Last term I managed to attain position 10 out of 34 in my academics.

I wake up at five o’clock whereby I prepare myself and walk to the school. Then I settle down and start reading. I read for about one hour. Then at twenty minutes past six I get out and start cleaning the school compound.

We go for   games in every Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Mondays. Then on Tuesdays we go for guidance and counselling. On Wednesday we go for Christian union. When I go home I help my parents doing some duties. Lastly may God bless you all.

Yours sincerely

Joseph   (Form two)

DEAR OUR BELOVED DONORS THROUGH TERRY

Let me take this golden chance to salute you, how have you been since the last time we communicated through the mail? It is my hope that you have been progressing well. To me, I have been doing very well in school and as well as at home.

For one, I would like to thank you for your sponsorship you have been offering to me since last year second term.  For sure, it has really helped me very much even my parents. Secondly,  the electricity, system that you have offered to us. It is helping many students in the school.

I read very hard in my studies and I managed to attain position 2 out of 37 students. I promise to continue putting more efforts.

After we closed the school on November, we had a holiday from which we benefited very much. At home we performed some duties such as, farming and grazing. We grew crops such as beans and maize. Unfortunately, the rainfall was inadequate and the crops dried up. For now we are experiencing very hard time.

Lastly, I would like to wish you a very nice and joyous new year full of God’s blessings. Thank you very much.

Have a nice time.

 Yours faithfully,

Faith

TO OUR DONORS THROUGH TERRY

I thank you for providing support to my education. We had broken for our December vacation on 22^nd November 2011. After one week we came for our holiday tuition which took two weeks. After our tuition we went back home to help our parents.

At home we used to help our parents on weeding in order to get high yields to cater for our health. We worked hard in shamba although rains did not rain enough so we lack food at home. Last term we did exams and I managed to get position 5 out of 37 students.

We opened schools on 4^th January 2012.  I am working hard to achieve my grade so that I may shape my future. I usually come to school at 4.00am to learn because you have provided us with lights.

I appreciate for your support and request you to continue supporting me and other needy students in our school. May God bless you and your families.

Yours faithfully,
Maureen   (Form 3)

DEAR OUR LOVING DONORS THROUGH TERRY,

I would wish to thank you for your support together with the other donors so that you may provide for my education and my good stay in school.

We broke for our December vacation on 2^nd November 2011. After a week at home, we attended our holiday tuition took two weeks. After the two weeks were over, we went back home.

At home, I assisted my parents in weeding. We weeded hard so that we can get a large  yields but the rains were inadequate. By this, I mean that, in the shambas there were no yields. So there is scarce of food in our village.

The school opened on 4^th January 2012. The school operations started going on as usual. By this, I mean that, I am still working Hard to achieve my goal so that I may build up my future life. Last year I performed well in my Exams and I was position 3 out of 37 but this was not my goal. This year I have targeted my goal of which I am working hard to achieve it. I usually go to school as early as 4.00a.m in order to make use of the provision of the solar power.

I appreciate for your support and I wish you also support our loving students who are needy. I am eager to receive your reply. Thanks

Yours sincerely,

Syombua   (Form three)

DEAR BELOVED DONORS THROUGH TERRY

Let me salute you most warmful regards. Since last time we communicated, I would like to thank you for the sponsorship that you are still offering to us.

I revised very well last term and after doing exams, I attained position 5 out of 26 students.

We had December holiday tuition, from which we benefited as we pushed on with the syllabus. We had a nice Christmas and a prosperous happy new year. We also helped our parents cultivating and doing other manuals like fe3tching water and firewood.

Otherwise we are doing our best in academics and co-carricular activities as we have now begun athletics and clubs are now thriving on  well. Just hope for God’s favours to us.

May God bless you in all your endeavours.

Yours faithfully

Felistus (Form 4)

Dear Donors

I hope you are fine. Am also fine. Am glad and happy for your concern and donation towards me and our school. The gifts you gave to us last year have marked a great revolution in our school and our society. We all thank you for that. I know you eager to know of my life since I wrote to you last year. Over the December vacation I was busy cultivating crops (beans, peas and maize) on our home farms. However the rains came irregularly leading to poor harvests. We also celebrated the holidays that is Christmas and happy New Year.

Last term I worked hard in my studies and I attained position 2 out of 26 students.

After opening the school on 4^th January 2012 we did an opening exam, which is under marking now. It is  in this year that I am registering for K.C.S.E(Kenya Certificate  Of Secondary Education) final exams in secondary school education level since it is the last year I would like to work hard so as to achieve my goals.

It is only through you, our school administration and our God that am still going on with education. Since now I am in school I will continue to write to you frequently. May God bless you and your Nation, so as to also extend your mercies to other needy people.

Yours faithfully,

John (Form 4) 

Dear Donors through Terry

I am very grateful for the support that you have offered so far. I am appreciating your support to me and also the school in large. The solar power which you installed in our school is really making me to achieve my goal of being an accountant. I was position 4 out of 26 last term and I am exploiting myself fully in terms of discipline so as to perform well in my final Exam. I normally arrive at school at 5.00am so that I can settle early in class before the normal classes and duties.

Actually, our administration staff is also putting more effort so as to make us attain our goals. Our school is really developing because even we are receiving other students from the other schools which mean that the school is developing.

Because soon and very soon there will be no scarcity of water due to the tanks which you installed in our school, the school will start shining because even our young trees won’t dry up due to scarcity of water. when I am at home, especially when the  schools are closed up I normally assists my parents and I have about one an hour for private study and then I takes some minutes for leisure before proceeding to the next activity which might be in church so that  I can grow both academically, physically and spiritually.

Lastly, is that due to the good things which I have named there above which you have done together with the administration staff I together wish my fellow student we will be able to achieve our goals

Thank you

Yours faithfully

Kelvin