Very Precise Hi Kathi, am writing this with a smile on my face, recalling how my high school years were when i was younger. you couldnt have been any more precise on the Kenyan Secondary Education System. Its very strict and competitive. the chances of going to a public sponsored university are quite slim, thats why the competition is cut throat.
David, there is romantic love in kenya, most start after high school and go way into universities. my brother courted his now wife for 9yrs before getting married in 2005. marriages and weddings are arranged through services of a professional wedding planner, or if on a tight budget, by the bride, the groom and an organising committee. I intend to remain single, although i dont know what my mom is going to say about that :), yes, couples can choose not to have children, but it would reflect badly to the society, most of the older generation who are now our parents may not understand why you would get married and choose not to have children! they want grandchildren to tell stories to.
My heart is full of gratitude for all the work you and the team members are doing to learn about the children and staff of Vihiga Children's Home, their hopes and dreams and how we may lend a hand on their path to responsible and fulfilling lives.
Highest Regards,
Dennis Neyman
Secondary School Hi Kathi, I am really enjoying your blogs. Will you get a chance to visit any of the universities? I wonder what the curriculum is like there? Although I favor the discipline of the students in Kenya, I am not a fan of teaching strictly by lecture. I prefer the Socratic method in which students engage in a dialogue with the instructor and learn by questions and answers.
Most Americans begin dating in high school. I wonder whether the Kenyans share our concept of romantic love? Are marriages arranged? Can one remain single? Can couples choose not to have children?
Take care of yourself
Fascinating Kathi, as an educator I find your blog fascinating. I wish education in the U.S. were more rigorous and the discipline stricter. You know how ill prepared some of our students are for college. Also, I think we worry too much about the student's self-esteem here instead of setting high standards. I wish you the best. I look forward to talking with you when you get back to TJ.
Kenyan education values Thank you, Kathi, for this terrific summary of the Kenyan educational system. It is very interesting, and will help us all to better understand the lives of our orphans, the feedback we get on their school performance, and their future options. Yes, I too would appreciate hearing much more from native Africans about their perspective on education .
You describe a system that sounds very much like 19th and early 20th century academic standards in America. Uniforms, gender segregation in secondary schools, high testing standards, with an emphasis on discipline combine to create better educated, less sexualized young adults. 'sigh' In comparison, it's easy to feel hopeless sometimes about what our American high schools produce.
I am concerned that there is so little / no sex education in Kenyan secondary schools. I have seen an excelllent documentary about a young Kenyan man who is an AIDS orphan (late teens, not one from Vihiga). He is searching for guidance for young people about how to handle themselves as sexual beings in light of the AIDS crisis. He travels all over Kenya to interview local and national officials -- mayors, educators, religious leaders, health officials. All tell him that abstinence is the best policy. I think that is insufficient sex education to equip young Kenyans to build healthy and productive lives.
Hi Kathi,
Wow, i'm loving your comments about Vihiga... i wish i was there with you! It sounds like your having a fantastic time with the children. Do you know if they recieved mine and emily's letters?
I'm so pleased to hear that the dormitory's are so close to being finished. I hope the children with malaria are not too ill. How is Mrs Agesa?? say hello from me and emily.
I hope you are both well and i am looking forward to hearing more soon
Cara x
Jim, Baby Bro thanks for the kind words, Jim. You inspire me. I hope to see you really soon and to spend some time in Arizona this holiday season. Love, Big Sis
here and there Life takes us on trips to fill our minds and souls.
your journey has a special meaning...
These children are learning somthing great... that there is someone that cares, in the poor world that they live...
Kathi you have about another 30 years to live.
you could stay in Africa...have you thought of that...
Sister Mary Kathi sounds kind of nice
I love you...and hope you come back...
I understand how the lifes of these children have jumped into your heart.. you are the best of what men should become...
carring and sharring...giving and giving some more..
This is my favorite verse frome the Bible....
Mark: Love has no greater value than to give his life for a friend....
or somthing like that....I have tried my best to live a christrine life..
And you lead through example...I am very proud of you...and all that you do and I am very forunate to have been a small part in your life..
You once told me that you worried that Todd was joining the the air force. I think your children have learned to be carring through you.
Clay severd his country, Todd did the same, and Lynn is a great nurse
I scene her in action when Nicole took that spill sledd riddding....
keep up the good work...we all love you and hope to see ya in the coming months....
from the Sanoran Desesrt .....your Baby Bro......
Food & Housekeeping HI Kathy. We miss you but eagerly read your blog. It is wonderful! I announce your adventures, and your blog site to all the TJ gang each Wednesday evening at "Open Campus". We have a new caterer and 9 classes going! Most of the Africa travelers are taking Hula from Marie Cassady.
The African daily chores seem to consume most of the day, even with a lot of women helping. Chickens living in the cook house sounds really yumyum too, although I guess they have to protect such valuable livestock.
I hope the children are thriving. I hear they love love love the swing set. Good. I'm sending my girl the Robert Louis Stephenson poem "The Swing" about the joy of playing on a swing. It's only 3 verses, so I hope she will memorize it. I still remember it from memory after 50 years. It's such a classic, Bullwinkle used to recite it to Rocky on that old cartoon show. haha
Barak Obama will be here for a Democratic rally tomorrow, Sept 14, at Slugger Field. I am in the "Singing Dems" chorus created literally last week to welcome him. It will be a lot of fun. I've encouraged some of the Africa group to attend and try to reach Barak Obama. Interesting that he was in Kisums only aoubt 3 weeks ago. Connections abound!
Tell us more about how you've gone natural Kathi. What are you teaching the children? You are having quite an extended adventure. Take very good care of yourself. You are a wonder!
Kim Pendlewy
for lilian nanjala dear kathi,
my name is poonam srivastava.
i want to introduce myself to you and to lilian.
i am going to co-sponser lilian from last month on.
and it is a great pleasure.
i loved reading of your experience at V. and the trip with the mattresses reminded me of many trips i had in india..
so.
perhaps you will read Lilian this letter for me.
thank you,
and thank you for your work.
poonam
Dear Lilian,
My name is Poonam Srivastava. It is an indian name. Like Indira Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi. Perhaps you know those names?
They were pretty famous good people. I am not a famous person, but i do try to be good.
I am Beverly's friend. I live with her. I talked to her about you and she showed me your pictures. I asked her all about you and she told me how you liked to study and what good friend you were to Eunice and how much she loved you.
We have been speaking of you since we met, one year ago. I have become very fond of you myself. You are in my heart every day. I am a writer and also a healer. I have a picture of you on my desk. I would very much like to be your sponser along with Beverly. I would like to write you letters, and perhaps you would write to me?
I did some of the shopping for the clothes that you will receive. The red hooded jacket, I thought would suite you well. I hope you like it. You seem an intelligent and kind and thoughtful person.
Also, I think you are interested in knowing more books. I love books. I have always loved books. both Beverly and i share a great love of books. That is a basis of our friendship. We are both writers. We share our writing. She does a lot of work with the writing of others'. Correcting their mistakes. its called editing. it requires very excellent grammar skills. sometimes i help her.
mostly i write for magazines about books and films i like. this is called reviews. i tell people what i think about what i read or see in the movies/films. then they can decide if they want to spend the time and money to buy the book or movie.
its a fun way to make a living. ofcourse its work too.
we hope that you and kathi have a fun day when you go out to lunch. we wish we were there with you. and in our hearts we will be. perhaps kathi can take a photo and send it to us. that would be very nice.
i will try to send you a photo of me very soon.
lots of love to you Lilian.
oh, please do tell me if you wish me to be a co-sponser with Beverly or not.
i am leaving that decision to you.
your friend,
poonam
items for kids Youmentioned needing sewing kits, laundry detergent and nail clippers. Where is this sent to? I think giving medicine and education to the kids would be something I could see myself doing, but never washing up in a shed.
I'm grateful you are there being our eyes and ears. Not only are the children blessed to have you with them, but I am as well. Thank you for your discriptions of life for our children. How are Alex and Danies Majari? They are brothers. In their notes to us, they told us what they wanted, but what do they need. I will send the items you mention in the blog. Debby said soap and towels will be purchased there with sent money from here. I will send money for a locker and lock. What can I send YOU!!! I'll check the blog for YOUR wish list. You are missed here at TJ. If you want to know general chit chat, let me know and I'll write more. Tell Alex I saw a small movie of him as the first child on the swing set! I was so happy to see him and get his drawings. Give Alex and Danies a hug from Dennis S. and me. They are thought of often. With love, Lauri
wow!!!!!!!! You are going to see one of my favorite public people. I bet the whole place is over the moon. Some "vendors" would ask Henry and I about Barack and were so hopeful he would come to Kenya and become their president while we were hoping he would become OUR preident. I hope you will be able to get to the post office as my package should be there by now. You sound very, very busy but doing so much good for the children. I know they appreciate all you are doing tremendously. We had chalice circle last night and missed you. We hope you will join our new circle when you return. I love getting your blogs. Please continue sending them to me. I can see and smell every place you are describing. I can't believe I was there.
Lisa
Hello to everyone! Blessings to all of you in Kenya! It was great to receive the first blog on your adventures. I can only imagine how great it must have been to meet all of the people there AND the children! What building, etc. were you able to complete while you were at Vihiga? How was the safari-you must be home now-or close to it! Love Rhonda and Hope
Macharia Kuria
non-member comment
Very Precise
Hi Kathi, am writing this with a smile on my face, recalling how my high school years were when i was younger. you couldnt have been any more precise on the Kenyan Secondary Education System. Its very strict and competitive. the chances of going to a public sponsored university are quite slim, thats why the competition is cut throat. David, there is romantic love in kenya, most start after high school and go way into universities. my brother courted his now wife for 9yrs before getting married in 2005. marriages and weddings are arranged through services of a professional wedding planner, or if on a tight budget, by the bride, the groom and an organising committee. I intend to remain single, although i dont know what my mom is going to say about that :), yes, couples can choose not to have children, but it would reflect badly to the society, most of the older generation who are now our parents may not understand why you would get married and choose not to have children! they want grandchildren to tell stories to.