The Kenya Service project had a very successful first year in 2008-9. We were able to meet our initial commitment to fund the annual cost of schooling for 28 students at schools in the Bombolulu district of Mombasa. The money raised from the Whole School Sponsored Walk 2008 was more than double the amount required and over €7000 was donated to the Friends of Mombasa Children’s charity in the UK. Other events throughout the year raised smaller amounts of money for our three teachers and eight students to take to Mombasa. This was spent on health care items, a school outing for the junior school and school supplies and equipment. We were able to see how this made such a difference to the students of the Victory School in the film
clips and students’ and teachers’ reports seen and heard in the school assemblies. Sending the delegation provided a unique and positive learning experience that is benefiting the entire school community at the ISE.
The result of the Kenya Service Project is a greater understanding of the issues faced in developing countries that impact on the lives of young people, how we can actively help them and how they can help us. We again plan to send a delegation of students and teachers to Mombasa this school year. The visit is open to MP5 and DP1 students and, as we anticipate a great interest, there will be a selection procedure. The visit will be timed around Activities Week, 1-5 March 2010, to minimize lost school days. The provisional dates are Tuesday 23 February to Friday 5 March 2010. There will be an Information Session for parents of MP5 and DP1 students interested in going to Kenya on Monday 28 September in the Open Evening for Parents. Teachers and students who went to Kenya last year will be available to answer questions.
In the coming months, various fund raising events will be organized and we hope that he school community will be generous in its support. We welcome any suggestions from parents to increase fund raising. We start with the Whole School Sponsored Walk on 15 October.
Ruth Evans, Sjef Hendrikx and Mascha Keersmaekers of the Kenya Service Project
Team.
