It
has
only
been
a
month
so
far
that
I’ve
been
back
in
Kibera
at
the
school,
and
already
I
have
witnessed
so
much
growth
as
an
organization
on
the
ground
and
in
the
students
of
KGSA.
Recently
I’ve
been
thinking
a
lot
about
the
idea
of
input
and
output
and
how
sometimes
you
never
really
know
when
you’ll
see
the
results
of
your
labor
and
intention.
Every
financial
decision,
every
decision
to
expand,
every
decision
to
bring
staff
on
board
that
Abdul
has
made
since
2006
was
intentionally
to
strengthen
the
school’s
ability
to
provide
quality
education.
He
had
the
idea
to
pay
our
teachers
to
return
to
school
for
diploma
courses,
to
recruit
a
university
graduate
to
serve
as
principal,
to
craft
strong
extra-curricular
activities
for
the
students
to
expand
their
studies,
he
pushed
for
a
dormitory
to
provide
safe
housing.
We
are
now
at
a
point
where
after
all
of
that
input
into
KGSA,
we
are
seeing
the
beginning
of
that
output,
and
it
will
only
grow
into
something
more
effective
as
time
goes
on.
Many of
you probably read that one of our recent graduates from KGSA, Linnet,
was accepted into Baraton University, Nairobi. This will be the
first time that this has happened for a KGSA student. It’s been
great to talk with her about her thoughts, expectations, and fears on
entering university because I had all of the same thoughts when I
left for college too. Every one of her peers is extremely proud of
her; she has single-handedly raised the bar for each and every one of
them and they love her for that.
Our most
recent graduates also have a lot to brag about. The number of
students that received a C- or higher rose from two in 2010 up to
nine for the 2011 class. Because of this score, they are eligible to
pursue a two-year degree in August. Four students have already
looked into their programs and will be getting diplomas in mass
communications, finance, and business management. This is obviously
increasing the amount of money we thought we would be spending in
2012 but this is a good problem to have. After talking with Abdul,
Christine (the principal) and Teka (Programs Manager), we decided
that they best way to raise the overall performance of the school is
to offer financial scholarships to any student with a C- or higher.
We will need to find a way to pay for this additon but it is
important that we create a system that can allow for the “full
cycle” as Abdul puts it (from secondary to college). If case you
are wondering how much money we’re talking about, a two-year
diploma costs $635.00… that’s right, only $635.00 for two years
and each individual student will have a greater chance at employment,
leading to an independent, sustainable, healthy life.
Interested
in supporting our efforts? Click HERE
There is
more to come… so much more. For now though, please spread the word
about our work, pass on our website or this blog, and donate if you
can, or else encourage others to do so. As always, thank you for
your support.
“The
best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time to do
so is now.”
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