EdUKaid

EdUKaid have always worked closely with our schools and their teachers and this relationship is important. The teachers in turn have to make decisions with their school committee. Significantly in small rural communities it is through the school committee, consisting of parents and village elders that has traditionally supported the school in terms of food for the children and resources where they could be provided. With this in mind that EdUKaid has been holding information meetings not only the school committee but also an open invitation to the parents, at Naumbu, Imekuwa, Mwenge and Mkangala primary schools. I was amazed by the turn out of parents and their cooperation and support that we have been receiving. It is nice to have a more visible presence not only in the schools but also in their communities. EdUKaid is alo starting a newsletter in January, one which will transcend our schools providing updates about our work but also is designed to give children the opportunity to compete in tasks not only between their fellow school pupils but also at an inter-school level. Prize will be won! The schools we operate in are so stretched out I think this sense of community and healthy competition will highlight EdUKaid schools as having a collective focus and be aware of one another’s achievements and successes.

The schools have been trying to show their appreciation to all the donors in the United Kingdom; they are only too aware that I am just the visible face of thousands of anonymous donors. This has manifested itself with the schools putting on performances of thanks these usually consist of the entire school standing in a circle and singing a song of thanks to EdUKaid. Then a marching procession to drums of children from standard 4-7 will come and make a speech about why they are particularly thankful, in their best English. It is quite touching and also humbling. At first I was embarrassed, thinking, but this is my job and another thing is that really in the great scheme of their combined situation we are operating on a relatively small scale. I began to realise as I blushed my way through the first schools songs of “thank you EdUKaid” (pronounced TAAN Q-E-D-U-KKKAIIIIDI - by 500 children I wondered what they were singing at first) is that this is an important part of the process. To the schools they are giving back the only way they can, through songs and offering me to share what little they have, this consisted of chicken, eggs and ugali a filling meal by any standard. Sorry I cannot share first hand the food they provided, I can confirm it was great, but I hope that I have shared a little of the events! Particularly the amount of children, drumming and singing, the atmosphere was just fantastic of course they got out class and had many practice sessions to achieve the performance they did so no wonder they enjoyed it! Anyway, here are a few words from one of the school songs that was presented to me in much honour and they had obviously gone to great lengths to type and print this out, it was signed by every teacher and committee member:

Thanks giving say – On behalf of our society and on behalf of school committee, and on behalf of teachers and pupils, and on behalf of myself;

I am standing here to give lot of thanks for your hospitable deed on your greatest aid you are giving us.

I also we ask you to send our thankfulness we are giving to you, to all friends, members and helpers working with you from your home.

We, together praying with God the almighty father so he can bless you, and all your workers and members of your committee that you can continue as one great EdUKaid. We hope you will do this for us now and then again. Thank you.

A standard 5 pupil recited this, and I hope everyone who contributes to EdUKaid in anyway appreciated the sentiment.

It was after the 5^th chicken I had been offered one week during Ramadan, no one else could eat, that I realised this is small scale in terms of the amount of schools we have worked with this year operationally. But the reality is our depth, influence and penetration is huge within our school communities. The children in rural areas have access to new books and have somewhere to sit; otherwise our presence provides the teachers with a sense of value, pride and trust that is a two-way relationship and should be treasured.

By Sally (Education Coordinator)

* I have many photos to upload to reflect the above however internet connection is so slow you may have to wait until March when I return to the United Kingdom.