I think its time for an update!

4 month update!

I think it is time for an update! Well, I have been in Kenya for 4 months now and I feel like the time is going by really fast! At the beginning of May, term 2 started at the school after a month long break! I was so excited to see all the kids come back. They all greeted me as Teacher Amelia with lots of hugs and it felt so good to be back at the school. As excited as I was to be back at the school, it is not always easy. It is really easy to think of the things that the school doesn’t have such as paint, paper, enough crayons, pencils, toys and books. Looking at what we don’t have can make me very discouraged, BUT in those moments I am reminded that God always provides everything that we need and he has done that for our school. Without fail, every time we needed something, someone from back home has sent me the funds for what we need and for that I am very thankful!! This has taught me to rely on God and not to worry because he always takes care of his children.

Also, at the beginning of May I also had to opportunity to go a youth councils for the Nairobi division and it was one of my favorite weekends so far. It was one of the largest youth councils I have ever been to with almost 500 youth ranging from 7-30 years of age! I had the opportunity to teach the 7-11 year olds which was a blessing. The weekend rejuvenated me and reminded me again why I am here.. which is to serve God. It was also great getting to know more youth in Kenya. One of my favorite parts of my year so far is getting to meet all the wonderful people of Kenya!

Well that is it for now..
Here is a link to see some photos of the Nairobi Youth Councils:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085800&id=7101377&l=3b4e0208a2

Happy Easter

Well it is almost Easter which is hard to believe! I was commenting to someone that it doesn’t really feel like Easter here in Kenya, well not like Easter back in the USA. Back home, stores are filled with Easter baskets, Easter bunnies and lots of candy but here that is not the case. It is kind of like business as usual in the different stores and around town, yet I feel that Kenya has gotten Easter right and let me explain. Here in Kenya the stores are not lined with Easter bunnies but many of them will be closed for the Easter weekend. In Kenya , we get a four and half day weekend in celebration of Easter. It will give us time to reflect on the real meaning of Easter which is the Resurection of Jesus not the Easter bunny. So here in Nairobi I will not be dying eggs or eating tons of chocolate(which I do miss) during this weekend but I hope to be able to reflect and celebrate on the true meaning of Easter. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter.

March Exams

“Exams?? We are giving exams to preschoolers?”, is what I asked the head teacher Roselyn last week, when she told me that during the last week of March we would be giving all of the children exams to measure their progress. It took me awhile to grasp the idea that I would be giving tests to preschoolers but it is another reminder to me how much education is valued and respected here in Kenya. Education is seen as a way to a better ones life and is not taken lightly. Roselyn told me that the parents expected these exams and would be asking for their childs results at the end of the month. So for the past two weeks we have been giving the exams , one by one to each child. We have three different tests depending on their age and cognitive ability. Also, the exams are divided into 4 sections, English, Mathematics, Science, and Creative and they take a different section every day.

I gave the tests to the older children and the majority did very well and I am very proud of them. Also , each child took taking their exam very seriously and I even got some nervous looks. I did my best to encourage each one after they took their exam, regardless of how well they did, with a high five! The high five turned out to be a hit and now I can’t walk across the room without five or six kids sticking out their hands from their desks for a high five. I tell people, if they are having a bad day, to come to the nursery school and my kids will cheer them up =).

Well I have one more week until we are off for the month of April. The children have a month long break every three months. But I won’t really be off.. We are doing a VBS for children at the childrens home and I will continue to tutor the kids during the month long break! It will give me some extra time to study for the GRE, which is take May 19th and rest up for the next term at the preschool. It is hard to believe that that term 1 at the school is already almost over and I am excited to see what the next two terms bring!

Here cheetah chetah

Pictures!

Here is a link to see some more pictures!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081999&id=7101377&l=7616c6ae1e

Let's Celebrate !

Two Month Update!
I have been in Kenya for two months now.. At times, it is hard to believe I have been here that long! I am getting into a routine here with work and studying so sometimes it is hard to think of what to write on the blog because it all seems normal to me now! But, this past weekend was not normal, I turned 23 and did lots of celebrating! First I went to the animal orphanage where I got to pet a Cheetah! I was pretty nervous at first but the Cheetah was very calm and sweet! After the animal orphanage, it was time for my birthday dinner, which was a lot of fun. We had really good food, including a dairy free cake, played some UNO and opened presents! It was a great day and I am very thankful to everyone here in Kenya for making it such a special day for me. I would also like to thanks everyone for the birthday cards and emails that were sent to wish me a Happy Birthday!

Pictures to come soon..

A New Apartment!!

For the past two months, I have been living without running water in my house the majority of the time. But this week my prayers were answered because I was given the option to move to another flat on the compound that has running water!!! So I said Yes, I would love to move! On Thursday, with lots of help, I moved and it already feels like home! The apt is about the same size, except the kitchen in the new apt is much larger! I also have a garden in my backyard! Pictures to come soon..

I feel very blessed to know that people here are looking out for me and doing their best to make my time here as best as possible. Every time I turn on the tap in the kitchen or in bathroom I am reminded how blessed I am to have it. I appreciate water so much more then I used to and I am very thankful for it!