Friday, April 26, 2013

My High School experience


Monday last week was particularly interesting as we had a chat with the Form 1 scholars about their high school experiences so far. They had quite a lot to say about the first three months in their new schools. Most of them were quite ecstatic about the school clubs, sports, new friends and the teachers but were not very enthusiastic about the menu and having to wake up very early in the mornings. All in all, it was so much fun listening, laughing and learning from each other. A few of their sentiments were;

Going off to high school has really been a new experience, I have never been to a boarding school before and I knew that it would require some getting used to. I have always been very close to my family and absolutely love going home to them after a long day in school. Helping my little brothers get ready for school in the morning,  helping them with their homework, feasting on my mother’s Ugali Samaki  were some of the things I couldn’t bear living behind. But I have quickly adapted and now liking it, sure the diet is nothing like my mother’s cooking but the teachers are great, I have made many new friends and I love being in the drama club, it’s fantastic!-Mailine, Maasai girls high school Form 1.

I really like our school library, it is huge and has so many books unlike in my primary school. I read all kinds of books. My favorite story book is Naomi Leon-Naom Nyaboke,Moi  Forces  Girls high school,Lanet.

What I like about high school so far is that we have the most amazing basketball team. I never had the chance to play basketball while in primary school and now I get to do so which I am so happy about- Velma, Our Lady of Mercy Girls high school.

As for me, I like playing football. I have always played football even in Primary school but it is much more different in high school because we get the chance to play football and compete even at the national levels which is so awesome! Javan-Pumwani Boys high school.

High school is very important in our lives, it has been said that it is in high school where we discover who we really are. As the Form 1 scholars continue with high school as part of the journey in their lives, we wish them all the best and look forward to having  them complete high school and tell us about their first year at the university when that time comes.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Scaling Greater Heights.


Last month was exceptionally special for the Children of Kibera Foundation family. Zainab Hussein, our pioneer scholar from Kibera Primary 2007, State House Girls 2011, Stanstead College PG 2013, got a full university scholarship to Lafayette College class of 2017 in Pennsylvania ,North Eastern United States! This was after a lot of patience and persistence. Zainab follows in the footsteps of our very own Kenneth Okoth who was awarded a similar scholarship to St. Lawrence University in 1997. 
Ken’s journey from Kenya to New York, Washington and back to Kibera as a champion for empowerment of children and young people through education has been greatly inspiring and to see students he has mentored like Zainab make it to University is indeed a great achievement as we move forward. John is another one of our amazing scholars! He is our scholar from Nairobi School class of 2012 and was awarded for his exemplary performance in his KCSE for attaining a mean grade of an A. 

Hard work is the key to success

John proudly displaying his award 
We are glad to be actors in this wonderful process of educating the Children in Kibera.