We have a teacher!

What an experience it is learning about daily life in Nairobi!  I have come to appreciate so many things that I often take for granted in the US–electricity, public transportation that is at least mostly safe, access to the internet, being able to have photo copies made with ease, and being able to avoid traffic jams most of the time!  It is helpful to be a part of a family here so that I can have this ‘inside’ view and be a more responsive part of the pre-school team.

It has been decided that we will call the school Lotus Pre-School.  We do not yet have a logo, but have decided upon uniform colors of white shirts and grey shorts/jumper and black shoes.  There is a possibility that we will partner with Rehoboth Women’s Project to make the uniforms.  This will offer a reduced cost for the families who purchase the uniforms, and will create training and work opportunities for the women.  It is an exciting collaborative effort!

We have offered a teaching position to Winnie Wangari Gitonga, and she has accepted!  As a recent graduate of Meru Teachers College, she brings fresh ideas and dedication to the field.  She currently lives in Nakuru, which is about two and one-half hours from Nairobi, so will be relocating for this position.  We have a community meeting scheduled for Thursday to introduce the school, so she will have an opportunity to participate from the outset!  I plan to take pictures during the meeting, so you will be able to put a face with her name.

During the meeting on Thursday, we plan to accept formal admissions to the school!  Children who are registered this month will be able to begin attending the sessions we hold this month.  In Kenya, the school year runs with the calendar year, so our timing worked out very well!  We will maintain a calendar that is congruent with the other schools, and be year-round; classes being in session for three months, then having a one-month recess.

Many thanks for all of the well wishes!  Even operating on ‘Kenya time’, we are making significant progress, and are on schedule to officially begin in Jan.  As we complete the necessary, important, and somewhat tedious aspects of laying the foundation for the school, the exciting part of having children and families involved begins on Thursday!  Hoping that access to the internet has been mastered by that point, there will finally be pictures!  Stay posted!  Asanti!