Monday, June 3, 2019

Jamii School

It's always a huge highlight to come back to this school. Lots of cute kids of course, but more importantly, a warm and caring couple who runs the school, along with some long-time teachers we love reconnecting with.

As usual, every child, teacher and staff member are on hand to welcome us - over 700 people! One of our new team members was sharing at our evening team meeting how much it meant to him and said, "I mean, how often do you get a a welcome like that?" Quipped another team member, "Once a year!" The perks of our annual visit ;-)


While the medical team jumped into action with patients again...

 (The pharmacy lineup)


 ...the rest of us headed to classrooms for a modified Vacation Bible School which mostly involved crafts this year.

Berkeley was totally in her element...

 ...as was Maddie.

Paul and Vic connected with the kids too.



In the photo above, Vic was the center of attention as he drew a possible design for a new metal water tower for the school. Miriam got a call last night from Basilus, the co-director, that that the water tower had collapsed so he was able to hire a crew of seven people to rig up a temporary new structure in time for school today – amazing! You can see the dented corner of the office that the old water tank landed on.

 One of the first things I noticed when we arrived is how good the kids' uniforms look. In the past, there have been many bedraggled, ripped and torn items of clothing but due to some generous donations, most are looking very sharp these days. Another improvement – small but super helpful – is installing hooks in the classrooms so that coats and backpacks don't have to be thrown in a corner.

Late in the morning, the famous Eldoret rain started. It makes quite a racket on the metal roofs...



In the afternoon, our educator team members led sessions on basic first aid training for the teachers here well as a few ideas on how to deal with trauma they encounter in their students. I learned some helpful things as well as one thing I probably won't try. One of the Kenyan teachers told us that for cuts, they put salt on the wound. OUCH! Our med staff says it's got some helpful qualities but...oh my!!




Our walk to the waiting van - squishy to say the least.


 And once more I'll close with a "cute kid" – one of the reasons we're here...







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