Brooks
There’s nothing quite so humbling as spending a
day at Liberty School in the remote village of Bikeke, Kenya. Each time
we go there, we are shocked and amazed at what God is doing. You may
remember that the gate to the school declares, “Yesu Anaweza! (Jesus is
Able)” And, it’s so true. God has and is doing amazing things in the
midst of a very, very poor village otherwise forgotten.
What began in a dirt floored, tin roof shed, held up by poles, one
room structure with broken carved out log benches, 35 sickly students
and unpaid teachers is now a thriving community of 25 teachers and staff
and 310 students. They live or attend school on paid for property with
paid for buildings, paid teachers and the grades to prove that they are
doing very, very well. Considering the obstacles these students face
emotionally, not to mention physically, we are overwhelmed at how God is
working in the life of this school. Looking at government reports, we
can easily see the rankings. Liberty School is ranked number 3 compared
to the dozens of public schools in the area. It is ranked number 6
compared to all of the private schools with TONS of resources at their
disposal in this same region.
These are kids from horrendously vulnerable situations, many who eat
one meal a day, many who have been molested and abused, many who have
lost one or both parents. Most have no idea what it is to own one pair
of shoes, let alone two, or a change of clothes or to sleep on a raised
bed with a mattress and sheets and blanket. They don’t own books or
paper or pens or backpacks. They don’t go to Disneyland or for a day at
the beach. In the depravity of where and how they do live, they find
refuge though. They come seeking to learn, to be nurtured and loved and
cared for. You guys are providing that.
Just look at these kids…YOU are the ones who put smiles on faces,
hope in hearts, love where there was only fear. Over and over students
and staff say thank you. “Tell those people how much we love them and
how much we thank them.” They mean it. Of all the places we go; people
we try to lift up, this community is without a doubt the most gracious
and thankful. Please, please accept their gratitude. It comes from the
bottom of their hearts.
Take a moment to spend the week with us at Liberty School:
Adorable little Mary who has just finished her letter to her sponsor and proudly showing me her picture.
Our amazing golfers raised monies to build a new structure with two
classrooms for the brand new high school this year. A dream come true as
these students would have nowhere to go to continue their education.
Some of the primary students prepared a performance for us…we all wait in anticipation!
…and let the drumbeats and the dancing begin!!! Nobody can move like an
African can move…even the little ones! They have body parts I didn’t
know existed!
…and of course, what is a celebration without a feast?? Naomi, the wife
of John Wanyonyi, Director, even killed one of her chickens and one
sheep to bless the staff and acknowledge the new high school building.
One of the performers, painted to look like she is a Masai tribal dancer.
One of the little ones from baby class (pre-school). Yep, she’s got the personality to match that smile!
And one who takes school much more seriously!
Students playing a game to learn English.
And if you don’t have a rope to play tug of war, you just use bodies!
And always musical…singing and dancing!
Brian concentrating so hard in class.
I spent time with teachers, high school students and boarding students
teaching hygiene, female anatomy, menstral cycles and life choices
(pregnancy) and then distributing 150 kits of washable sanitary pads.
Way to go all of you who are making this possible! These gals were
ECSTATIC!!!! (more to come on this)
Communal pump for getting water for cooking, bathing, washing, drinking.
Can you believe this is one of the most vulnerable children in the
school??? Look at that gorgeous smile! And, yes, he is always
grinning!!!
You may remember Britney. She was helped from her home where she was
trapped every day, not only by poverty but because she had a foot and
leg so infected and swollen she couldn’t walk. That was 7 years ago when
we first met her. Every day someone literally picked her up and carried
her to school where they prayed for her (with no resources for medical
help) and began educating her. Today she is completely healed, almost as
tall as I am, strong, vibrant, sweet, smart and well on her way to a
life beyond what her past would allow her.
Students of the first high school class of Liberty School.
Check out this boy. He has no parents; he has no relatives. He has been
passed from home to home of neighbors – moving over TEN times. When he
is kicked out or runs away because of abuse, he still persists in coming
to school every day. He won’t give up. Today he is one of the many
students who is offered the gift of a better life. For a teenager with
pressure from peers to drop out, make and drink alcohol, become lazy and
into a life on the streets, this is huge. We are always inspired by not
only the dedication of faculty and, of course, the direction of John
Wanyonyi and his wife Naomi, but students who against ALL odds continue
to persevere for more than their circumstances would ever allow.
Students from the high school giving a performance for us, reciting
poems and singing a very solemn and profound song about liberty and
perseverance.
High school guys…no different than American teenage boys…think they are the coolest!
Sweet times visiting with Naomi, John Wanyonye’s wife, in their home
that they share with not only their own kids, but 12 extremely
vulnerable children who have no relatives or parents.
Lunch time for the kids, most of whom this is their only meal of the
day. Typical lunch fare for any Kenyan school child is githeri, a
mixture of maize and beans.
One little guy lucky enough to own a backpack has to check it out to
make sure he’s got everything he needs…a couple of stones and a piece of
twine he found.
High schoolers with their mathematics teacher, a very bright, happy, inspiring and hilarious guy (seated on the left).
Two of the high school students with Rose, their physics and biology
teacher. The students have one book to share (the teacher’s own copy).
Nevertheless, they are not daunted and continually press in to excel in
their schoolwork. Note Rose’s bracelet – the Kenyan flag. Many, many
Kenyans wear such a bracelet. They are VERY proud to be Kenyans!
Even the bigger boys let me hug them…and who could resist hugging and
squeezing these precious children!!! Hugging is not a part of their
culture, but somehow they give me grace as I tell them it is the
American way. I sooooooo wish all of you who pray and give and love
these kids from afar could meet them, be inspired by them, and blessed
by them. They tell me to tell you how much they love you and how much
they appreciate you, because you know what? They truly do. Without you,
there would only be sadness and pain. With you, they truly do smile! God
bless you, and asante sana (thank you very, very much!)
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