Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

Library Days, Compost Toilets and Wings Poa..... that's an odd combination.  Actually, it's some of the projects that our staff is working on during the Pandemic.

As of this newsletter, Kenya is reporting 22,053 cases with 369 deaths.  Recently there have been several deaths in the Mwala subcounty where we are located.  Our staff continues to lead the way with Covid-19 coronavirus prevention and the distribution of masks made by local women.  These masks are being distributed by community health volunteers, to students and parents borrowing books, and other community members in need.

Schools have been closed until January 2021 due to the pandemic.  This means many of our students are falling farther behind.  In an effort to keep students reading, we are holding socially distanced library days which is coupled with the distribution of face masks.  We've created activity sheets, launched our Reading Challenge and encouraged students to keep journals.  At some schools, parents are coming to check out books for their children.  They are grateful to have the enrichment for their children since most are without electricity, internet or materials for learning at their homes.  Our staff has produced and broadcast 7 Radio Read Aloud Programs.  Mbaitu FM has reported that we have over 400,00 listeners!  

At the same time, Kenya Connect has built banks of compost toilets at Maanzoni and Ngangani Primary Schools.  These toilets use the elegant technology by GiveLove.org for "Keeping Poop in the Loop!" Each bank of toilets has five stalls, hand washing stations and the girls bank has a shower so girls can stay clean during their menstrual cycle.  Last year teachers at these two schools piloted the compost toilets and are very excited that the students will be able to have clean sanitation.  Eventually compost will be used to nourish the Moringa Trees and kitchen gardens.

Recently we learned that many girls are without sanitary products to use during the pandemic.  In response, our staff is distributing Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary pad kits to girls at our partner schools.  As the kits are being distributed to the groups of girls, our staff is providing menstrual health and hygiene information as well as face masks to the girls and their parents.  Esther Muinde, our Coordinator for Monitoring and Evauluation and Empowerment Programs commented, "I am pleased we can support our girls even when they are not in school."

We are deeply grateful to our GlobalGiving donors who continue to support us so generously.  Local NGOs like Kenya Connect are leading the way in fighting the Covid-19 coronavirus while still providing enrichment to our learners.  We couldn't do it without you.  Asante Sana (thank you very much!)