Impressions and Memories of Volunteers

In March/April 2008 three teachers from Victoria, Australia participated in an Immersion Program at the Br Beausang Catholic Education Centre in Embulbul.  It was a wonderful opportunity for us to interact with the teaching staff, the support staff and the students of both the primary and secondary schools. We were able to exchange ideas about teaching and learning and contribute to the future of the school. We worked with teachers in the classrooms and discussed topics such as special education, literacy, the development of research skills, teaching strategies, and types of learners and how to develop our own classroom strategies. Two of our group, Helen and Sharon were particularly involved with the new Bridging Class and the team taught the group and assisted teachers with new classroom strategies. The willingness of the teachers to engage in professional dialogue without feeling devalued struck us.  We too learned so much about making education accessible with so few resources and without access to so much that we in Australia take for granted – books, libraries, computers, internet access, audio-visual resources, well equipped science laboratories and the list goes on. We were also overwhelmed by the children’s willingness to be taught by mzungus who spoke with very strange accents. The children’s affection and genuine warmth were so touching. While the structure of the classrooms, the size of classes, the buildings and the curriculum were necessarily very different to those in Australia, the common thread was the belief that education can transform, that it is the only way that these children will find a future in a modern and rapidly changing Kenya. The recent political events and the fallout have only served to increase the desire to see the education of Kenya’s young as a priority. Perhaps one of the most salutary experiences for us was the home visits to a variety of communities around the school. The reality that many students walk up to ten or more kilometres to school each day often in the dark, was as eye opening as the conditions in which some lived. Despite often rising at 4 am to study before school, arriving at school at 7 am to do more homework and often not arriving home until after 6 pm at night the thirst for education was undimmed. The parents we met were adamant that their children finish secondary school despite finding the fees often impossible to pay. We really appreciate now how important the sponsorship program is and how much many families rely upon it. It was also a privilege to be part of the discussions about the new school buildings and the library in particular. One of us is a teacher-librarian so Sara was able to advice on the priorities for the school in the establishment of a new library. We were able to source a Kenyan developed automated library system that hopefully will be funded in the near future and plans for furniture and the collection are well under way. Br. Laurie Collin’s determination to ensure that the students here have access to current educational resources and facilities is inspiring. It is easy to list the challenges that lay ahead for the Centre: ensuring Stage 2 and 3 of the building plan are completed; continuous improvement of the school’s KCSE results; delivering necessary upgrades to facilities; ensuring teachers are professionally developed, and maintaining and expanding the sponsorship program to name a few. However, overwhelming there was a sense that there is a group of people here whose sense of purpose will not be diminished by the challenges they collectively face and that with professional and financial support the sky is the limit.

I first came to Kenya in July 2005, as part of a group from Killarney Co Kerry, Ireland. I stayed in the parish of Embulbul and traveled to other parts of the country. When in Embulbul I visited the Br. Beausang Primary School, volunteered to take some classes, and taught English and Geography. The standard eight class were preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E.) so l helped out as much as I could.

I came into contact first hand with the day-to-day running of a non-government school, which was the responsibility of the parish priest. On returning home I found it hard to forget how education in that school was so challenging; poor quality classrooms, overcrowding, high noise level due to nearby busy road, and lack of textbooks and teaching aids. I retained my positive images of dedicated teachers, happy children willing to work hard where the home environment wasn’t always conducive to learning. With great support from family and friends I decided to return in 2004 and made a big effort to fundraise and collect as much money as possible for the school. Despite huge obstacles at customs I managed to bring books, pencils, biros and reference books to the school.

In 2004 a secondary school was established to cater for the further educational needs of the village and surrounding areas. As a secondary teacher I felt at home immediately, undaunted by large class sizes (50), few teaching aids and little equipment for extra - curricular activities. So began my association with Br. Beausang Secondary School, which has continued, to 2006. I’ve seen the school grow from 100 students to its present number of 224 with further growth projected, along- side the allocation of new classrooms and arrival of new staff members.

Thankfully family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors have continued to support my fundraising efforts knowing that whatever money is donated comes directly to the school. This year money has been used to purchase new textbooks for the primary school, chemistry equipment, computer facilities, and sports equipment for the secondary school and a contribution towards the planned building of a brand new secondary school in 2006 – 2007.

People often ask me why I continue to do this? I don’t have a definite answer but I know that it’s a special privilege to work in Embulbul. I have met many dedicated people, idealistic and forward thinking who are setting firm roots for the future of education in this area. I have come to know and befriend many of the students through class contact and love of sport. I have been welcomed by people in the village through a shared interest in sport. I have walked through the slum area of the villages and been welcomed and greeted by young and old. I have visited the homes of some of the students and listened to their worries, their troubles and their dreams of a better future.

There are times when I can’t understand why there are still great inequalities in our society, why some people are born to struggle day after day while others breeze through life. There is something deep in the human spirit that keeps us all going, hopefully to share what we have with others and give of ourselves and not count the cost.

Kenya and its people are broken ….. corruption, lack of infrastructure, inadequate housing conditions, illnesses and poverty each attempt to degenerate a country with much potential. The people’s brokenness inflicts pain and suffering on individuals and families – divorce, death, illness, poverty, hunger and finding clean water are daily struggles. Despite the broken people in a tattered and torn environment, Kenya has an amazing beauty. The Kenyan people I have encountered in Embulbul, Ngong and Karen are jewels in a tumultuous darkness; every individual contains wordly hope that I wish I could only harness for those in my life. The hope is to change and improve themselves, their family, their community, their country and as important the strangers they meet along their journey.

Embulbul has been profound personal experience. It has taught me, through my interaction with the Beausang, to trust in God, to love my neighbor, and to welcome and enrich all who come into our lives. Each of us can have a positive impact on one another, each of us can help to be part of a community, each of us has a responsibility to form the right relationships as I have experienced from the Kenyan people. Being broken does not mean broken in spirit, strength or hope …. It is these qualities that has made Kenya and its people beautiful jewels in my heart.

I found it interesting to note how people with so little always have a smile, will greet you with warmth and affection, will offer you what little they have if you enter their home are genuinely interested in you and will stop to have a chat – I found the students very keen to better themselves, very grateful to be at school, reluctant to miss any classes, most walking huge distances to and from school each day.

Amid the dust and the fumes, the noise and bristle of roads and the markets, among the roadside furniture, the stalls and salons, the butcher shops and fruit stalls, the donkeys laden with water bottles, the lanes and rough loads winding through the countryside, I found a gentle welcoming people. The generosity of the Brothers was overwhelming. nothing was too much trouble from pickups and drop offs at the airport to ministering to our daily needs. Asante Sana!

The two-week experience has left me viewing the world differently. It seems that those who have so little materially, have such more emotionally and spiritually. The people of Embulbul have an incredible wealth of a different kind. Their community is one of support, love, generosity, joy and hospitality. I leave this place with a very real sense of jealousy, for the energy and seemingly endless resilience that I wish I saw in my any today life in Australia. At no point did I feel in the way, or a burden to this community. If anything I felt as though me mere presence enriched this tour.

The people of Embulbul have given me so much more than I would ever give to them, emotionally and spiritually.

Upon embarking on my journey to the continent of Africa, in particular the amazing country that is Kenya, I wondered what a 30 something Australian man from Bacchus Marsh Victoria, could do to help change the lives of people half a world away. This feeling over whelmed me in the weeks leading up to departing. That feeling stayed deep within me until the morning I walked into the Br. Beausang Primary school in Embulbul Nairobi. The 380 smiles on children I had never met before, their warmth, love and affection on these complete strangers from Australia was the reason I was here. I could have left that day after one hour and realized that I had made an offence to these kids just by taking the time to say hallo and hold hands and high five with these children. It meant so much to them to have the opportunity to interact with us from another land. This experience for me has had a profound impact on my life. I came here wondering what I can do for them. This I know now but at the time sometime this wonderful place has done so much more for me. Thank you Kenya, Thank you Embulbul.

I came unsure of whether I would contribute to the immersion experience. I leave gaining so mush more than I thought possible. The faith, coverage and determination of the people I encountered is an amazing thing that I will forever carry with me. Not a teacher I was still able to help the students in some way and learn of their struggles, via the home visitation program. I am sure that I will return to Embulbul but before I next visit the project and the children will be constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

While I was genuinely exited at the prospect of visiting Embulbul and being involved with the school. I was initially skeptical about what use I would be, having no teaching experience. However, it soon became obvious on the first day that this wasn’t going to be an issue. Just being around and able to show attention to the students, it is clear how much all visitors are appreciated. Even the secondary students (who are a little more reserved) began to open up during the second week. The students are extremely intelligent and show a keen interest in learning about our country and culture. Being able to participate in home visits gave me an opportunity to see into the way many Kenyans live and strengthened my appreciation of their spirit of hard work and survival. I thank and brothers all of the staff at Br. Beausang for opportunity to participate. I would recommend the visit to anyone and every one. It is truly a life changing experience.

My past two weeks at Br. Beausang have been absolutely amazing, and the welcoming and friendly nature of both staff and students has made this the most memorable experience of my life. The welcome that we received at both the primary and secondary school has made Kenya our home away from home. So, would like to thank everyone for helping us to settle in straight away we all fallen in love with Kenya and will definitely be back in the future. We remember our two weeks here forever.

My time at Br. Beausang has been absolutely amazing. The primary school students and staff were so welcoming when we first arrived and really made us feel at home. At first there was shyness between us and the secondary students but those borders are no longer there. I don’t think I can portray in words how much this visit meant to me, it certainly inspired me both spiritually and emotionally. I find the comments of the students fantastic in regards to study and dedication to their school and church. In talking to so many students and through interviews I found that the only complaint was the lack of transport to school. And in completing home visits, it is very difficult for all the students. The secondary school is run very promptly all classes are hard working and start on time. I would like to thank you for giving us this opportunity and would love to return in the future.

I would first like to sincerely thank you for both welcoming and embracing us into your school. It has become clear to me that after our time here thee is a bright and promising future for this project. I feel I must commend the students for their dedication and willingness to learn as well as the teachers for their passion. There is something we all could learn from Br. Beausang and I cherish the time I have spent here. Spending time getting to know the students has been both uplifting and humbling. From the short time, have spent at Br. Beausang I have seen a school rich in spirit and again I whole heartedly thank you.

I found both the primary and secondary school students very mannerly, kind and welcoming. In the primary school I was completely overwhelmed and overjoyed by the children all running up to me, wanting to shake my hand. And in the secondary school I was caught off-guard by the unusual but intelligent questions. I feel both an emotional and spiritual connection between all the students and me. I will find it hard to leave but I will never forget the students and my time spent here. And I hope they won’t forget me either.

I can’t believe my time in Kenya is coming to an end. The children in your schools both in primary and secondary are inspirational. In particular the primary, I have grown fond of one little girl – and when we return home shall ensure the project continues to be such a great success, knowing I am improving one lives of little people like her. I truly appreciate your acceptance on this project, as this was definitely been a crew in a lifetime opportunity, and has changed me as a person for the better. Thanks again.

Before I arrived I had a faint image in my head of what the school and our two weeks here in Kenya would be like which was created by a few pictures and stories from Fr. Kevin. The people, the way of life and my experience at Br. Beausang School completely outshone my expectation. I am so grateful and still so amazed by the warm and wholehearted greeting we received and the generosity we have been shown. I would like to sincerely thank the Principal, Br. Laurie, the teachers and all the staff of Br. Beausang for welcoming us into their school and their classrooms. I am so grateful to the students of Br. Beausang primary and secondary for making us fell at home and sharing their stories and their lives with us. This has been unbelievable experience, which I will never forget. I hope to return to Kenya someday but until then I will remember my amazing two weeks here with you.

Love and best wishes.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Br. Beausang School – both primary and the secondary. I was very impressed with the Form 4 classes I taught – there were some excellent students in both classes. All the staff in both primary and secondary were very welcoming from my experience the staff in both schools are dedicated to their students. The size of classes in the school is much larger than I am used to teaching and this means that there is less opportunity for interactive learning. It also means it is more difficult for teachers to develop good/personal relationships with their students.

The visit has been a supremely satisfactory physical and emotional experience. On a physical level the striking beauty of the countryside, the different sights and sounds of Africa and the interaction with people in school, market and shops was immensely rewarding. The emotional/spiritual experience is hard to define. It was a joy to see practical Christianity in operation in a supremely human manner in both schools and parish centers. Despite the poverty levels witnessed regularly on home visitation, the resilience and good humor of the people against much adversity was very evident. The faith, enthusiasm, sense of community and joy in participation in school and parish masses was heart warming and uplifting.