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!

Some new pictures...

Here is a link to see some new pics.. The new ones are on page three of the album. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2079387&id=7101377&l=550b4

It's time for another update!

Hello everyone! It has been awhile since I last blogged. It has been a SUPER busy week! This Sunday I had to opportunity to go to the Joytown Secondary School for children with disabilities and it was amazing! We had to leave really early in the morning because the school is about an hour outside of Nairobi but it was worth it! The Secondary School was participating in a weekend challenge where the students were being challenged to not get distracted by the things of the world but to keep their eyes on Jesus . We went for the last two meeting that were on Sunday and the meetings were filled with presentations from the students, including gospel dance, solos, praise and worship, skits and much more. Many of the students were in wheel chairs, needed help walking or were without arms or legs but that did not stop them from praising God and they all had an amazing spirit. Sometimes it is easier to think about what we don’t have but I was reminded on Sunday to be thankful always!

Things are going great at the nursery school! I can see the children improving and growing each day! Many of my students are graduating from my class to be with the older ones because they are learning so fast! After our lessons it’s time to play and that’s my favorite part of the day. Today we arranged our chairs into a matato(bus) and went to nakumatt (walmart). We also turned our tables into a fort and played inside! It’s during this time that I wish I knew more Swahili because the kids have soo much to tell me but I can’t understand everything they are saying yet.. But my Swahili is improving so I just have to keep it up!

Two days a week after the nursery school closes, I also help tutor the primary school kids that live at the childrens home. So far we have been focusing on their reading skills and reading comprehension. They are also teaching me Swahili, so it’s a good deal! I feel most of the time that the people here are teaching me more than I am teaching them. I am really thankful to have this opportunity this coming year and I can’t wait for what is to come!