"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society, in every family." Kofi Annan
Classroom Renovation for Our Youngest Students
Our Chief with Paranae students.
Thanks to the students of Salem Church Middle School in Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA, the preschool students of Paranae Primary have a new learning environment. Repair of walls, level and safer floors, newly painted tables, secure doors and windows, and new teaching aids provide an environment in which the 'little ones' can focus on learning. With the help of Chairman Alex, Paranae alumni Wilson and William, parent volunteers, and local fundi, the work was completed during the students' break.
New uniforms and shoes thanks to generous
SPHere/MEI supporters!
Focus on Students
Maasai kids love school!
Paranae Primary School houses students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students run to school, anxious to get started, each carrying a stick or branch to contribute to the cooking fire and a small container of precious water from home to add to the cooking pot for a lunch of beans and maize. These are children for whom education is a precious gift. Four children sharing one book is commonplace and many parents save mightily for the few materials their children need. Particularly at risk are the older students who must pass the required exam to move to secondary school. This test is given in English, Kenya's official language, which is the third language spoken by students following Kimaasai, or Maa, their 'mother tongue,' and Kiswahili, the national language.
Focus on Teachers
Dedicated Paranae teachers
The teachers of Paranae Primary School have entered the teaching field because they believe in the futures of their students. Many of them have grown up in the community in which they now work and understand the struggles facing the Maasai youth. However, understanding the problem and having the resources to solve it are two different entities. It is the hope of MEI that 'teachers helping teachers' will make a difference and that personal email contact will support the Kenyan educators as well as allow for a dialogue which will benefit both parties.
Read Janine's blog, My Name Is Naserian, at http://jevans1812.wordpress.com/