Charity
of the Month Shanzu Preparatory
School
On Friday, 9th
November 2007, Shanzu Preparatory school, Mombasa, Kenya, saw a very
special day in the life of this very poor village school. The children,
who had benefited most from the 3 new classrooms which had been built
in with a donation from our church members, were now ready to sit
the government exams in the following few days. This was their last
day at school and to be one of celebration. My husband Tom and I were
in Kenya at this time and invited to share in the celebration for
these twentytwo14-18 year olds. We were expecting a very low key affair,
but how wrong we were. Before we left for Kenya we were told that
the ceremony would be on from 11am until 1pm and the children and
their parents or guardians would be present.
We arrived at
the school just before 11am to be shown to our seats which were reserved
for us. Instead of just the parents of the graduating pupils, the
whole school was in attendance, together with their parents and what
seemed to be the whole village! We were overwhelmed at the sight.
About 500 people were seated under specially erected shade made from
tree branches (the equivalent to our scaffolding) to which various
lengths of other materials were attached, offering shade from the
hot African sun. Bunting and balloons decorated the area giving very
much a party atmosphere. Following introductions and a prayer, each
class from the school did a performance in turn, from the kindergarten
class of three year olds who seemed to lose their voices as soon as
the microphone was near to them (the same the world over), to the
elder children who performed plays. The school choir and scouts and
girl guides also performed. Following the entertainment the graduating
children, who included both the kindergarten and exam classes donned
their royal blue caps and gowns and marched proudly down past the
vast audience to take their seats. There were several officials who
gave the many speeches and words of encouragement.
Now the important
part of proceedings commenced. Each child was called in turn to be
presented with a certificate and a gift. An official photographer
took a photograph of them with their very proud parents or guardians.
There was a wonderful array of brightly coloured dresses and matching
headdresses worn by the women. A beautifully decorated sponge cake
in the shape of an open book was cut and shared between the children
and their guests followed by impromptu singing and dancing by anyone
who wanted to join in Our booked taxi had to be sent away several
times as the celebrations lasted 6 hours instead of the predicted
2 hours! We had a wonderful experience and felt very honoured to be
part of this important day.
Janet Rooks