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