Harambee
Hello, all, this is Amrita Mainthia and I am the latest addition to the HFAC team…this is exciting stuff! Anyway, last Saturday was my first full day in Ikumbo (and sadly, Scott’s last). Matt had mentioned that Saturday would be quite eventful but I honestly had no idea just how much would be going on.
We began our day with a trip to the school, and I met all the students. Though the Form 1’s were pretty shy, they all remembered Matt, Scott, Billy & Rafal’s names—it was pretty cool to realize firsthand that these guys had made such an impact on the kids after meeting them for such a short amount of time.
We then headed to the river where we met about 300 members of the community ready to gather stones we would use for the foundation of the library. The stones needed to be carried up the road so that a truck could pick them up and drop them at the school, where they could be crushed and mixed with concrete to create cement. Despite the sweltering heat and the long distance of walking required to haul the rocks, so many members of the community showed up and dedicated hours to this project. It was amazing to witness that steadfastness and work ethic that the citizens of Ikumbo foster—they were ready and willing to show up and not only help us out, but also, their children, their school, and their village.
(ps. Clearly, I strayed away from the heavy lifting and let the guys display their masculinity. Instead, I documented the entire event with photos and videos.)
We were then honored with a visit from Ikumbo’s Member of Parliament (MP) and Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Japate Kareke Biuki. Kareke surprised us all by taking multiple rounds of rocks up from the river. We all met him, and Ikumbo’s people were thrilled to see him there, working with the community he represents.
Then we headed back to the school to officially break ground for the library/computer lab, which was a really amazing step for the school to take. Karake himself poured the first barrel of cement into the foundation, and then construction officially began. Before we know it, the library will join Ikumbo Secondary School.
After lunch at the Nyaga’s with the MP, the board of governors, and the teachers, we all headed back to school for a speech by the School principal, Mr. Antony Mugambi. While the community gathered around the giant tree, many leaders spoke, including the MP, Matthew, Davis (who presented Strathmore University’s €10,000 Euro grant), and Rosemary, a friend from the Clinton Foundation, who provided the school with some new textbooks for the students. The students were given many encouraging words about determination and goal-setting. Each speaker discussed the endless possibilities and benefits of a great education, and how a combination of hard work and strength of mind would allow all students to persevere.
The day ended on such a positive note, with everyone hoping, wishing, and most importantly, vowing to ensure the success of Ikumbo Secondary School’s students. I had a great, eventful first day in the village, and I’m excited to follow the progress of the library and the school as time passes.
Over&Out.
We began our day with a trip to the school, and I met all the students. Though the Form 1’s were pretty shy, they all remembered Matt, Scott, Billy & Rafal’s names—it was pretty cool to realize firsthand that these guys had made such an impact on the kids after meeting them for such a short amount of time.
We then headed to the river where we met about 300 members of the community ready to gather stones we would use for the foundation of the library. The stones needed to be carried up the road so that a truck could pick them up and drop them at the school, where they could be crushed and mixed with concrete to create cement. Despite the sweltering heat and the long distance of walking required to haul the rocks, so many members of the community showed up and dedicated hours to this project. It was amazing to witness that steadfastness and work ethic that the citizens of Ikumbo foster—they were ready and willing to show up and not only help us out, but also, their children, their school, and their village.
(ps. Clearly, I strayed away from the heavy lifting and let the guys display their masculinity. Instead, I documented the entire event with photos and videos.)
We were then honored with a visit from Ikumbo’s Member of Parliament (MP) and Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Japate Kareke Biuki. Kareke surprised us all by taking multiple rounds of rocks up from the river. We all met him, and Ikumbo’s people were thrilled to see him there, working with the community he represents.
Then we headed back to the school to officially break ground for the library/computer lab, which was a really amazing step for the school to take. Karake himself poured the first barrel of cement into the foundation, and then construction officially began. Before we know it, the library will join Ikumbo Secondary School.
After lunch at the Nyaga’s with the MP, the board of governors, and the teachers, we all headed back to school for a speech by the School principal, Mr. Antony Mugambi. While the community gathered around the giant tree, many leaders spoke, including the MP, Matthew, Davis (who presented Strathmore University’s €10,000 Euro grant), and Rosemary, a friend from the Clinton Foundation, who provided the school with some new textbooks for the students. The students were given many encouraging words about determination and goal-setting. Each speaker discussed the endless possibilities and benefits of a great education, and how a combination of hard work and strength of mind would allow all students to persevere.
The day ended on such a positive note, with everyone hoping, wishing, and most importantly, vowing to ensure the success of Ikumbo Secondary School’s students. I had a great, eventful first day in the village, and I’m excited to follow the progress of the library and the school as time passes.
Over&Out.
posted by A. Mainthia at
8:30 AM
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