What does Thunder Bay CANADA and Kakamega KENYA have in common?
Answer: Karen Dahl and Sandy Guthrie
Karen and Sandy travelled as CES Canada Volunteers to Kenya May-July 2011. Their impact on the CES Family of Schools was extraordinary.
“Their presence in Kakamega left a germinating seed of hope, a blossoming flower of academic desire and a forming fruit of self discovery in the tender hearts of the students under the tender care of CES.” Edwin Balovera Ongacho – Teacher at Namundera SS
“Karen and Sandy provided inspiration to students and teachers in the CES Kenya family of schools. For the entire duration of their stay in Kakamega, at times under unfavorable weather and in difficult living conditions, they discharged their volunteer services professionally, diligently and with a high sense of dedication and commitment. Writing on behalf of the CES Kenya Board of Directors I am grateful for the volunteer work Karen Dahl and Sandy Guthrie have provided within our school community.” Malik Khaemba Hsc Patron/CEO, CES Kenya
Sandy Guthrie’s travel blog is posted on the CES Canada Home Page at www.cescan.ca
In addition, Karen Dahl created her own travel blog at http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dahlkaren/1/1309263497/tpod.html#ixzz1WL5sCsT9
The following two days highlight Karen’s recent trip to Kenya as a CES Canada Volunteer
“Today (June 15) Sandy and I packed up our little house at Namirama Girls School and prepared to visit the last school in this rural area before returning to the town of Kakamega. We had been without electricity since yesterdays rain storm, so we were grateful for the promise of light and a chance to recharge our computers. After saying goodbye to some special students we became close with and expressing our thanks to our hostess for the accommodations over the past two weeks we prepared to leave. Definitely a bitter sweet farewell. CES Patron, Malik Khaemba picked us up early and accompanied us to the mixed gender school of Navakholo. This location was very close to Patron Khaemba’s home. Sandy and I enjoyed the tour of the compound which boasts a new CES sponsored zero grazing project. In essence the school has two cows, one purchased through CES. I thought she was by far the most attractive cow. Her name is “flowers”. She has yet to produce a calf. She enjoys the napri grass which helps with milk production. Zero grazing refers to the confinement of the cow to a restricted area as opposed to the usual practice of free grazing. In this situation the feed is brought to the animal and they can be kept in a small area, like the school compound. Milk is sold to the community and this adds to the income of the school. A win win situation for the school and the community.
Flowers the CES zero grazing cow
The form III students at Navokholo were attentive as Sandy and I presented our information about Canada’s climate, agriculture, family life, customs and social practices particularly as they differ from life in Kenya. The students roar with laughter when they hear about how marriage is proposed and thaqt there is no dowery. Gender equality, partnership in marriage, shared housework and childcare are interesting customs for them.
When we met with the CES students we learned about the struggles of the students to keep up their grades. Some have long distances to walk to school, and no light at home to read by when they return home at night. Sandy suggested that one of the form IV students, Collins Mirimo could benefit from trialing the solar light. So we provided Collins with the solar light as a project to determine if it would be beneficial to other students who have no money to purchase parafin fuel for the lamps typically used in the homes. We look forward to hearing his report on how useful this application is. Many of the students we have talked with over the last several weeks have identified that not having light at home presents a serious challenge in getting the assignments and prep work done once they leave the school.
CES Student “digging in” to mark the location of a future Musaga SS classroom
Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dahlkaren/1/1308150067/tpod.html#ixzz1WL8OpJoa
