Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

LitClubs have been launched!  We are thrilled to announce that Kenya Connect is an official partner of LitWorld. LitWorld works with a broad coalition of national and international partners to ensure that young people worldwide can experience the joy and transformation of reading, writing, and storytelling.  Staff members Cyrus Wambua, Monicah Kyalo, Cornelius Muma Willy, Margaret Mutune and Esther Muinde are leading this dynamic and fun-filled program that meets weekly over a two-year period.

LitClubs are being piloted at Sofia and Maanzoni Primary Schools.  LitWorld's model recommends separate clubs for Boys and Girls.  At Sofia we have the Simba and Lioness LitClubs and at Maanzoni we have the Tiger and Beautiful LitClubs.  All clubs were launched with storytelling and word games.  The students were shy at first, not being used to this type of learning or activity.  However by the second week, Executive James Musyoka shared, "Our mentors this week reported quite a remarkable improvement on the part of students. Last week the students were quite reserved and shy to speak. This week the LitClub members were jovial, excited and very eager to learn."

The students have been very engaged with the read aloud stories.  Nzesi commented, "Reading aloud is the most enjoyable thing in the Litclub."  Our Mentors select beautifully illustrated and engaging stories to read to the students which have been donated by friends of Kenya Connect.

Decorating journals was another activity for the students.  These journals will be used for student writing in future club sessions.  As you cans see from the pictures, students are having a blast creating their own special journal.  Mentor Monicah glowingly commented, "Students in LitClubs are creating communities that use the power of reading books and writing to be agents of change in the world!”

Sadly, due to the spread of Covid-19, the Kenyan government has closed schools for 30 days.  Students can still come to our Learning Resource Center to borrow books, but we have suspended all activities that brings groups of students together.  During this period, our staff is planning, learning, and preparing for the re-opening of schools and monitoring the construction of GiveLove Compost Toilets and the growth of the Moringa Tree groves.

Back in the US, the Kenya Connect 5K is being held as a virtual race on Saturday, March 28th.  You are invited to sign up to run, walk, hop, skip or couch surf between 9 am and 2pm EDT and then send your times and a picture to Kenya Connect.  We are still awarding hand-carved medallions to the top three winners in all age groups!  Sign up HERE!

As always, we are deeply grateful to donors like you who propel our programs forward.  It's always with great joy that we share information on our work.  Stay safe friends.