Appleseed Travel Journal - Making a Difference in Liberty School
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Brooks
Recently we’ve been spending time in the Kakamega (Kenya) area,
visiting some house church groups, distributing washable sanitary pads
to two groups of women there, and checking in on some of the farming
projects. Then, we traveled over to Kitale, truly one of the most
beautiful, lush places on earth! Elevation of around 6,500, rainy, warm
in the day, cool, ok, chilly at night…the hub of agriculture for all of
Kenya, small enough where people warmly greet you, and big enough that
the market is in full swing every day.
This week we’ve been completely focused on Liberty School. The school year in Kenya has just ended, so we were able to be a part of two graduations: the little ones, baby class, into Class 1 (first grade) and the Class 7 into Class 8, the final year and most important year of primary school. This is when students prepare for examinations to qualify for secondary school education. Between the students and the parents, it was a great opportunity to speak into their lives the importance and value of education.
Will in a sea of kids!
We also spent one day visiting some of the homes of sponsored
students at the school. The stories are heart-wrenching, and the
gratitude is real of the grandmothers and mothers of these vulnerable
children.
One mama whose husband died from a brain tumor relocated with her three children so she could be near her sister in Bikeke Village. Not long after, she was in a bad motorcycle accident. Now even after having steel rods placed in her leg and much physical therapy, she is in great pain. Unable to walk without assistance, she has a small vegetable stand outside her rented home where she sells tomatoes and kales. Without help from Liberty School her children would not be able to eat or attend school.
This mama has four girls. Her husband died and she lives in a tiny rental. She sleeps with the girls in one bed and does what she can, selling porridge during the day to eek out a small income for her children. Before Liberty School stepped in, her kids were not attending school or able to eat every day. The mother was driven to prostitution and making home brew alcohol. Today her life is very different and her children are experiencing love in very real practical ways.
Will and Sarah, our daughter and son-in-law, brought their background in education to provide a professional development workshop for the entire teaching staff and administrators. The teachers have been engaged and are definitely being encouraged as the ones on the front lines working with the students. This is a first time experience for these teachers, to learn and share collectively as a school in a workshop. They are so engaged and participating with great interactions and discussions, “duking” out some very challenging issues.
One thing’s for sure (I think I can safely assume) that neither Will nor Sarah, after this first time experience to Africa, will ever be the same. But, more importantly, their desire to serve and make a difference is really happening. They have encouraged, built up, inspired, and also very much challenged the administrators and teachers of Liberty School. Especially when they were able to see how little they began with and what God has done in a few short years, they have affirmed them and seen that the potential to go far is great. The deposits they made will undoubtedly have great impact in the coming school year (begins in January) and even for years to come.
Sarah facilitating.
Will in a sea of Liberty School students.
This week we’ve been completely focused on Liberty School. The school year in Kenya has just ended, so we were able to be a part of two graduations: the little ones, baby class, into Class 1 (first grade) and the Class 7 into Class 8, the final year and most important year of primary school. This is when students prepare for examinations to qualify for secondary school education. Between the students and the parents, it was a great opportunity to speak into their lives the importance and value of education.
Will in a sea of kids!
One mama whose husband died from a brain tumor relocated with her three children so she could be near her sister in Bikeke Village. Not long after, she was in a bad motorcycle accident. Now even after having steel rods placed in her leg and much physical therapy, she is in great pain. Unable to walk without assistance, she has a small vegetable stand outside her rented home where she sells tomatoes and kales. Without help from Liberty School her children would not be able to eat or attend school.
This mama has four girls. Her husband died and she lives in a tiny rental. She sleeps with the girls in one bed and does what she can, selling porridge during the day to eek out a small income for her children. Before Liberty School stepped in, her kids were not attending school or able to eat every day. The mother was driven to prostitution and making home brew alcohol. Today her life is very different and her children are experiencing love in very real practical ways.
Will and Sarah, our daughter and son-in-law, brought their background in education to provide a professional development workshop for the entire teaching staff and administrators. The teachers have been engaged and are definitely being encouraged as the ones on the front lines working with the students. This is a first time experience for these teachers, to learn and share collectively as a school in a workshop. They are so engaged and participating with great interactions and discussions, “duking” out some very challenging issues.
One thing’s for sure (I think I can safely assume) that neither Will nor Sarah, after this first time experience to Africa, will ever be the same. But, more importantly, their desire to serve and make a difference is really happening. They have encouraged, built up, inspired, and also very much challenged the administrators and teachers of Liberty School. Especially when they were able to see how little they began with and what God has done in a few short years, they have affirmed them and seen that the potential to go far is great. The deposits they made will undoubtedly have great impact in the coming school year (begins in January) and even for years to come.
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