Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

As we reported in our March update, Kenyan Schools are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Our staff has used this time to develop Teacher Professional Development Programs, to prepare literacy activities and the 2020 Reading Challenge Program, to read (we have staff D.E.A.R time -- drop everything and READ), and to monitor the building of compost toilets and the growing Morninga Trees.

In addition, we are teaming up with the local Public Health Officer and officials to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.  As the leading NGO in our district, we believe it's our responsibility to help our students, their families, and neighbors as safe as possible.  Face masks are in short supply in Kenya, yet the Minister of Health is strongly recommending that all Kenyans wear them when going to the markets and other public places like gathering water.  Boda Boda (motorcyle) drivers, who provide essential transportation to those living in the hills of Wamunyu, are especially at risk and potentially could be spreading the virus.  We also know that some families in our rural community are not receiving the latest public health warnings and announcements.

As a result, Kenya Connect has been collaborating with the Public Health Officer on developing strategies and solutions to stop the spread of Covid-19 in our sub-county.  Due to our proximity to Nairobi, there is concern that if the virus spreads to our rural community, it would be devastating due to the lack of health care and other challenges related to the lack of clean water and extreme poverty.

In addition to leading the way with effective hand washing, Kenya Connect has commissioned women, who make our Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary Pad kits, to make face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  Using a WHO recommended pattern, the women are sewing the masks to provide the most vulnerable in the community including women in the market, community public health volunteers, and Boda Boda drivers.  Others will be able to purchase the masks at very affordable amounts.  Our goal is to distribute over 2500 masks.

The masks have begun to be distributed in the community.  We are providing training and have included a leaflet in Kiswahili, Kikamba, and English with information on proper usage and cleaning of the masks, the effectiveness of continuous hand washing and the importance of not gathering in large groups.  Along with assisting with the public health crisis, the women creating the masks receive much-needed income when the economy is collapsing due to the economic strains of the pandemic.  We are proud that our masks are 100% Kenyan made with Kenyan fabric by Kenyan sewers.

These are very challenging times.  We pray that you and your family are safe.  We will continue to update you on how we are responding to the the challenge of the pandemic and we look forward to updating you once our students are back in school!  As always, we are deeply grateful for our GlobalGiving supporters like you.

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.