So I'm back in the states, but I have one more post to write that I never got around to writing while in Kenya. I realized I never really talked about what I did while I was there. Before I left, I was told that Peter, the principal of St. Andrews wanted me to start at Peace and Reconciliation club. I was slightly worried I would have absolutely nothing to talk about, and no way to get this club started. but it ended up working out really well! I chose 12 students, a few from each grade level to be in the club. I chose most of them based on their performance in my class last year, and how outgoing they were. Trying to start a club with a bunch of people who won't talk is nearly impossible.
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| St. Andrews Peace and Reconciliation Club |
I figured a good way to start off would be to have the students create a list of problems at St. Andrews, and a list of problems in Kasarani, the slum where they live. During the time I was there we worked on each problem, and came up with events and other ways that the problems can be addressed and hopefully fixed. I really liked working with just 12 students instead of all 180 because I could get to know all of them better, and it was easier to get everyone involved. I also taught them games like Indian Chief, which everyone enjoyed. In one meeting, one of the students told me that they wanted to put on an event in Kasarani to show me that they will be able to make a difference in the community. I was amazed when they told me this, and of course thought it was a great idea. What developed from this simple idea, was Amani, or Peace Day. We planned an event to be held in the center of Kasarani with a theme of peace. I was a little worried at first that it wouldn't all come together, but it sure did! We had dancers, singers, poets, religious leaders, youth leaders, students all sharing the same message: peace. The focus was on preventing a repeat of the 2007 post election violence, where tribal violence erupted across Kenya, including areas close to Kasarani. The event was held on a Sunday, and we wrote a letter for every religious leader to read to his congregation, and also put signs all around Kasarani. Here are some pictures from the event.
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| Student's from St. Andrews performing a song they wrote |
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| The drama club acting out a skit they created about peace |
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| A muslim religious leader in Kasarani |
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| Madame Wambui, a teacher from St. Andrews and head of the club |
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| None of the adults would come inside the fence so I thought no one was there, but they were all around the outside! |
Everyone was very pleased with the event, and all of the students did an exceptional job putting it together. Here is a video from the event of clips of all the speakers and performers!
Here is the video of Mwangi's wedding! I apologize for my unsteady hand and the noisy wind...
One last thing. I told the students I worked with that I would try and raise at least $50 just to start them off. It would be used for publicity, events and other odds and ends related to the club. If anyone is interested in donating, please email me at mcs621@gmail.com. If I don't raise the money, I will pay it myself which is fine as well!
I hope everyone is doing well, and if I go back to Kenya again I will be sure to blog!
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