The Key to Graduation

Hi friends. My post today is one of asking for your help--- I usually like to bring updates and happy thoughts, but now is a crucial time at Sud Academy. Last Friday was the closing ceremony of school for the holidays. It was a great day of festivities as students were awarded for academic & leadership excellence. After the ceremony, I held a meeting with the Gr. 11 students to chat about the new school year that begins in January.

Our issue is that we do not have Gr. 12, and thus a graduating class at Sud Academy. Gr. 12 requires us to have a lab, and proper facilities to prepare the students for standardized exams at the end of the school year. In order to graduate, they must pass this exam, and it is heavily based on the sciences.

UP & DOWN: Grade 12 hopefuls & I met on closing day.

In September, I encouraged the 24 Form 4 hopefuls to work hard, despite not knowing if they'd have the chance to enter Gr. 12. I told them last Friday that the lab still isn't a reality, but that I was now very confident that by next year, it would be. They listened respectfully and when they spoke their message was clear--- we are their only hope and they will wait, as they have no choice, for our solution. They are brilliant students who know all about life struggles and challenges- they understand this is a giant hurdle. I said I didn't know when, or with what money, but that I knew it would come. But we need your help.

UP: Form 3 (Gr.11) student Akol studying outside his class, where the air is fresher!

DOWN: The Top 3 Form 3 Students: William Deng, Mayar Aketch, and Joseph Deng hope to continue their academic excellence next year.

So many of you have already shown interest, even excitement about helping these students make it through the final leg of their tumultuous, extraordinarily difficult but truly honourable quest for education. Now it's time for action, and we must help these kids succeed.

We've raised just over 25% of the total project cost. A science lab, classroom, 2 teachers, books, science materials, electricity, and the furniture for these rooms will cost in the neighbourhood of $20, 000 CAD and time is of the essence. I encourage those of you who are inspired in any way, shape or form to please act now. We can get this science lab up and running by the end of the holidays with some help from Santa and all his little elves! My email is kelleejacobs@gmail.com, and my Mom the fundraiser in Canada's is susan@personalstyleconsulting.com.

These students are beyond serious about their education, and I'm as determined as they are to help them get it. I'm grateful that we all have this magical opportunity of changing the lives of hundreds of students. I wish you all Happy Holidays and invite you to be Merry-Makers with me in Africa!

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Pictures: A Lab in the Making

UP & DOWN: This is an example of a 20ft shipping container that contractor Dan Gunda refurbished into a car parts shop. The use of these containers as buildings is very common in the developing world. It is 20ft long & 8ft wide. The science lab container will be twice as long at 40ft.

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DOWN: The inside of the container is 8 ft wide. Using plywood and plaster, we will divide the container into different sections to make a science lab, classroom, storage room and office.

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UP & DOWN: Contractor Dan & I discussing measurements, parts, and the logistics of converting the container into a Lab.

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UP & DOWN: Dan told me to step into his office, which was some seats under a lean-to in the midst of a car junkyard. We haggled over labour charges & tried to cut costs. I've been told by many Kenyans that I'm quite the bargainer. Good news for Sud students!

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SODIS at Sud Academy

Since the introduction of the water tank at Sud Academy, students have enjoyed (on most days) the free flow of water for washing & drinking. Because we want to ensure the overall health of the students, we want to make sure that the water they are drinking will not give them diseases like cholera, typhoid, or even diarrhea, the #1 killer of children in Africa.

We have introduced the idea of SODIS- purifying water by leaving it in the sun's UV rays for a full day. Easy-breezy. Since the end of the year was nearing, we thought we'd first train teachers, help them understand the science behind SODIS and demonstrate to them that the simple process works when done correctly. For the last 2 weeks of school we held many meetings and testing sessions with the teachers, and they went very smoothly! Just as we'd imagined, there were impurities in the rain water (but none of the very harmful e-Coli that one finds in most water sources here), and when we left the water in the sun for a few hours, those impurities & bacterias were killed. The teachers were very excited and most said they would practice this at home over the holidays. It's my hope that when the students come back from their holidays, the teachers & I will be able to launch SODIS with the students and get them in the routine of purifying their water and being free from bacteria.

Please see a few pictures of collecting water samples from around the school's property, testing original water sources, and the SODIS samples we eventually found to be clean- every time!

**UP & DOWN: Testing handwashing puddle- results showed it was extremely contaminated with e-coli.**

**UP & DOWN: testing water post- SODIS--- came out sparkling clean, without impurities or bacteria!**

 

**UP & Down: Collecting samples from sewage trench water flowing from apartments above**

 
Please click here for more information on SODIS and London's "The Water School", an organization we've partnered with to bring this life-saving technique to the staff and students at Sud. We appreciate their help, materials and advice!

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Sudan Photos!!

Jambo everyone....

Please follow this link to view my photo album of shots taken last month in Southern Sudan. I hope you enjoy this glimpse of where Sud Academy's students come from...

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2296307&id=81003545&l=bd41241820

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Water is Life--- Thanks London!

****Please see below for an update on the water catchment tank at Sud****

Here are some photos of students washing dishes, washing hands, and filling up cups & jugs of the surprisingly clean rain water that has been captured in their new tank!

Fundraising Efforts Working Wonders at Sud!

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity in more than a few ways! I traveled to Uganda and Sudan for 10 days at the end of October, where among many other things I caught a bug. It took me a couple weeks to recuperate, but now that I have, it's back into the full swing of things!

First, let me congratulate my mum Susan on a wonderful event that raised over $14,000 for Special Projects at Sud Academy! Her "Style in the City" event, thanks to it's sponsors and attendees, raised more than enough money to build a water catchment tank. The hefty balance remains in the bank for more Special Project initiatives, the most important of which I will discuss in just a bit... When I walk into school and see students lined up at the tap waiting for their turn to fill their cup or wash their hands, it makes me proud that the London community is responsible for making such an impact in another community, half way around the world. It's impossible to describe how appreciative the students are to have access to free flowing water--- now we must simply wait for the torrential rains to come to fill up the beast of a tank! Thank you sincerely to all those who supported the event.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we are also launching a program called SODIS (solar water disinfection)at the school to purify water. Since we are waiting for the heavy rains to fill the tank, our focus right now is educating and training the teachers and some senior students on the life-saving process. We will launch the program school-wide in January when the students return from their break.

With the water tank and SODIS taken care of, our next big leap is to build a lab and facilitate the education of our Grade 12 students. As many of you know, we lack a Gr. 12 because we do not have a lab for science lessons and practicals. Without studying this, the students have no hope at passing the standardized exams at the end of Gr. 12 which they need to graduate. We are working on a proposal, putting the figures together and working out the logistics at the moment, but what remains is that we still need adequate funding in order to move forward with the plans! The total cost is likely to be in the neighbourhood of $15,000- $20,000 when you consider that we need the building, school supplies, electricity, furniture, books, and teachers!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to implement a Gr. 12 class at this school. Students in lower grades might become discouraged from studying hard if they think they won't be able to graduate at the end of all their hard work. Even though they deal with hunger, thirst, disease, homelessness, having no parents, and war trauma to name a few, this hurdle-- graduating from high school-- is one that we can actually change for the better. They truly have no hope without us, and I have 110% confidence that we will make it happen!

I am elated to hear that high schools, businesses and various groups in Canada are interested in helping Sud Academy become a destination school for Sudanese refugees... John Wise and Arthur Voden schools in St. Thomas have committed to helping their fellow students across the globe get a fair shot at life, just as they are lucky enough to have because they were born in a peaceful country like Canada. That students & kids are becoming more socially aware is inspiring to me- you get what you give, and I'm glad our Canadian students are seizing the opportunity to help others, and as such, themselves. Good work, St. Thomas!

Let's see what other sources of funding we can find for Sud and a lab... I welcome anyone to contact me (kelleejacobs@gmail.com) if you need any information about things related to Sud, Sudan, labs, education, fundraising, etc.... I look forward to working with all of you!

Stay tuned for photos and a story on my trek into Southern Sudan-- understanding where these students come from is a must for anyone interested in helping. The stories, situation and challenges in Sudan are both heartbreaking and inspiring. When I see need, I am immediately inspired to act. I hope you'll join me in this venture to make change, one community at a time.

Until then,
A giant Asante Sana!! (Swahili for thank you)

Water Project--- Video Update!

Hey All,

Check out my new video on the progress of the water system we are building at Sud (it's short!). This video was made for a fundraising event that is happening in London, Ontario this Thursday evening--- tickets are sold out, so it's sure to be a success! (That's why there is mention of sponsors, etc...)

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFiFSLvxQEU

I'm off to Uganda and Southern Sudan this Thursday to check out some water projects that The Water School and Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan have brought to those regions..... Will be back online as of October 24th, so please check back soon after for the deets and pics from my trip!

Ta-ta.

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While You Were Sleeping

Here are just a few pics from my day today! Enjoy!

UP: Students goofing around while they wait for their lunch.

UP: Someone is VERY happy that she has a Popsicle to tide her over until lunch is ready!

UP: .... And someone is a bit upset that I've not yet taken her photo.

UP: A couple of my buddies in the Secondary section- Peter in red sometimes escorts me home on the mini-buses to make sure I'm safe. :)

UP: Mary the cook prepares a yummy lunch of rice, beans and some onions for flavour! I really love it, even though it's designed to make me FAT.

UP: And of course, another photo of the miniature student. Today was cool so he had a mini sweater-hood under another sweater. I've learned his name is Sangulololo. Seriously! After a famous Kenyan song. I tried to tell him my name is Kellee, but he replied in Swahili (which some senior students translated) that he already knew "she's Kellee". HA. What a doll!

UP: I spent 3 hours this afternoon at the airport with these empty water bottles. We were trying to get them on a plane to Loki in Northern Kenya, where we'll pick them up next week en route to Sudan. Oddly enough, the jet had too much cargo and we only managed to get some of the bottles on! The logistician will try again on Friday--- this was nearly an exercise in futility. But--- TIA. This is Africa!

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Busy-Busy Thursday at Sud!

Here are just a few photos from last Thursday at Sud. Have a look & check back for more later this week!

UP: Passing out exercise books in Class 8! I got a round of applause when I announced I was coming to give everyone a small 50 page notebook. Ha!

UP: Discussing our new notebooks while waiting for our cameraman to sort himself out.

UP: Contractor Dan, me & Headmaster Bosco discussing the rain water gutters for our catchment system. We were making sure the super-tall Sudanese won't hit their heads on the overhanging pipes!

UP & DOWN: At the end of each week, students remove class furniture to clean out their classrooms. Here, keen students whose studies were interrupted by the cleaning routine continue working outside their classroom, amidst the piled up furniture.


DOWN: This little munchkin is the tiniest of Sud students. I'm told he is 6 but it's hard to imagine he's actually that old. He carries his belongings in a tied up grocery bag, is very sharp and often stands guard at the school's gate to notify the headmaster of approaching visitors. He is super shy with me but stopped briefly for this photo!

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.... Jumping Right In and Getting My Feet Dirty!

As you can see, I've been hard at work at home and in the field!

It's been a wild ride since I’ve arrived in Nairobi 7 days ago!

Within 12 hours of stepping off the plane, Trisa and I were on our way to Sud Academy, where students were patiently awaiting our arrival. We were greeted excitedly by staff and students, with big hugs and funny handshakes. Then the choir and its leader sang sweet songs of farewell to Trisa, with the reminder to come again, and of welcome to me, telling me they were happy that I’ve come back to them! Their performance was followed by many speeches by the Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster, several staff members and the school captain. Their speeches were so full of appreciation for our hard work and commitment, and our supporters in Canada, that it was a bit embarrassing at times! One teacher likened our duo to Jesus and the Holy Spirit; another reminded students to listen to us not just because we are white, but human beings too; the school captain reminded students that even though we are short, we are women of substance and know many things, and thus we are actually tall and can see the sky. To top it off, another teacher suggested that when Trisa returns, she should bring a large plane to take everyone back to Canada with her. It truly was a great assembly full of laughs and smiles and certainly made me feel happy to be back!

UP: Students interested to see what I'm talking to the Secondary students about.

DOWN: More nosey cuties await me & my camera outside the Headmaster's office- "photo, photo!"

We also met that first day with Dan the Contractor who has been doing work at Sud for the last few weeks. With heavy rains expected any day now, several trenches were dug in and around the school to divert rain water to the land below. Typically when it rains, the lower classrooms flood and render the classrooms unusable- not anymore!

Dan and I have met several times since then to discuss the rain water catchment system that is desperately needed in order to provide water for washing, drinking and cooking. The plans are coming along well and are set to commence before the end of the week! We are in a race against the rains, but are taking our time with measurements, plans, logistics, placement, etc., as well as anticipating & solving potential issues before it's too late!

UP: Contractor Dan, Headmaster Bosco & I near the newly dug pit for a 10,000ltr water tank.
DOWN: Measuring how high the tank will stand-- too high! Rethink location: we're on it!

DOWN: Discussing alternative locations for the tank... took a while, but we sorted it out. Serious teamwork.

I’ve also had meetings with the staff to discuss some minor administrative issues, and a serious talk with Form 3 (Gr. 11) students about our game plan for Form 4 (Gr. 12). They are set to enter Gr. 12 in January, 2010, but lack the facilities to do so. I leveled with them and said I am working on getting funding to build a science lab for practical lessons, but that it's costly and may not happen in time for the new school year. I encouraged them to continue working hard and to have a bit of patience. Lino, a Form 4 student who used to attend Sud Academy, was there waiting for me and heard this discussion. He reminded the students that patience pays- “if you are patient, then you must be paid, something must and will eventually happen, so please, just be patient.” Wise words, Lino! I'm dreaming of beakers, chemicals, and lab rats- seriously!

UP: Buds forever, former Sud students & 2 of the "Form 4 Boys" hold hands to show friendship. Dennis(L) gave up his spot in boarding so that Lino(R) wouldn't have to make the lengthy & risky commute to school daily.

DOWN: Francis of the "Form 4 Boys" & I goofing around. We're pumped, can you tell?

I have also been trying to track down the owner of the Sudan Mirror, a Sudanese newspaper I’d like to write some more articles for over the next few months. Dan (#2) is tough to get a hold of, but when you do, it’s well worth the wait! I plan to see him tomorrow at his office to propose an article on water projects at Sud Academy and those funded by Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan in several villages across southern Sudan. I’ll be going to Sudan with a couple CASS volunteers in a few short weeks! Alex Lau, Lynn Blumas and I will visit several water project sites to deliver bottles, monitor progress and talk about challenges and successes with the locals who are benefiting from clean water and sanitation. We’ll also visit an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp to get a sense of the mood & climate in the tumultuous region as they approach groundbreaking elections and a referendum on independence next year. I’ll be documenting my trip and impressions here on my blog!

This week has been a whirlwind of busy so I won’t bore you with the details--- just know that Sud Academy is a bustling school brimming with determined, bright, impressionable minds. I hope our projects and the “noise” we are all raising about Sud will benefit this generation- they are the worthy architects of a New Sudan.

Lastly, I’d like to thank all the groups, individuals, businesses and schools that are helping our efforts at Sud. There are so many, and you know who you are. Particularly, I’d like to thank the schools in St. Thomas- St. Joe’s, my stomping ground, and Mrs. Wendel-Caraher's students at John Wise! Let’s do a city wide challenge! London locations of Staples and 3M Post-It Brand continue to stock us with supplies, so many thanks! I spoke at Rotary Clubs in London and Strathroy before I left about the work I'm doing- I hope I’ve inspired you to follow along with my journey here. I'm looking forward to giving you all an update and discovering how our relationship can blossom! There are many more people to thank, but not enough space to do so, but please know that the students, even more than I, appreciate your help infinitely.

Asante sana for reading, and I promise that upcoming posts will NOT be this long! Phew, eh?

Funny Anecdote: So many amusing things have happened that I could relate to you, and although this is not funny to me, I’m sure it will be to all of you. I have been “complimented” at least a dozen times with exclamations of “Oh, you went home to Canada and ate well and have become so fat! You look beautiful! So fat! Really, you have grown”. It’s getting harder to smile and say “Oh really? Thank you so much, really, that's very nice to say, thank you!” But T-I-A, as the expats say:

This Is Africa.

On that note, Bon Appétit!
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And I've landed...

Hey Everyone!

Just a very, very quick line from a very, very tired girl- I've arrived in Nairobi and after only 48 hours, I feel like I've been here at least a month! I will update my blog this weekend with some of the things that have been happening already- I've made astonishing progress given that I am in Africa! I can hardly believe it. The first day at Sud was absolutely CRAZY. I'll tell you more later.

First... I'm going to sleep.

But... Come back soon!

New Trip. New Projects. New Movie!!

Lights. Camera. Sud Academy!

Please have a look at the movie I made to show all of you what projects we are bringing to Sud Academy this Fall '09! It's only 8 minutes. And I feel it will be time well spent. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DeemBcoCwo

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Food & Water Crisis in Kenya

Recently there have been stories circling in the news about the drought in Kenya. When I was there in early 2009, everyone talked about the drought, but it wasn't nearly as critical.

Now, nearly half the crops farmers planted for harvest this year have dried up. Cows are dying, falling down the hills where they graze. Goats have no water, no grass, nothing. All this trickles down the food chain to humans, who are struggling to find food. When they do, many find it is 3, 4, 5 times as much as it was a year or two ago.

Nairobi, where Sud Academy is, has been without power 50% of the time. The city has rationed tap water even in the most glitzy of neighbourhoods. Taps in the slums have reportedly been running dry for weeks, even months.

Food & water insecurity is a dangerous thing. Violence is expected to rise dramatically as some people will spend 100% of their incomes procuring food and maybe water, leaving them hopeless to pay for anything but. No power + starving, dehydrated, defeated people often = crime; thefts, lies, even murder.

The Kenyan government, who is supposed to keep emergency food supplies in stock, says it only has enough to feed the 3.5 million starving for 6 weeks. The rest it has sold or didn't purchase. As they drive their shiny Mercedes, Audis and Range Rovers through the bumpy & bustling streets of Nairobi, thousands of children and women across the country will walk 10s of kilometers in search of food, water, a puddle.

Given this dire situation, building the rainwater collection device at Sud Academy is imperative. Potable water has skyrocketed in price and they simply cannot afford to buy it. What rain does fall on Sud's roof is a precious commodity and no one can afford to waste it or watch it tumble to the dusty ground.

Here's an article on the CBC about the impacts of Kenya's latest crisis:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/08/25/kenya-starvation-drought.html?ref=rss

Nairobi on the Horizon!

Hey all!

Summer is nearly over here in Canada! And as with many globe-trotters (except those who venture into the snow), I will once again be leaving before the harsh Canadian winter sets in.

That's right- it's been confirmed! I am headed back to Nairobi and Sud Academy, where the staff, students and Form 4 boys will hopefully be happy to see me!! I know I will be to see them.

A fundraiser extraordinaire, Pam, her son Devin and myself will be heading over in late September to start on what we call "Special Projects" at Sud! Included as Special Projects are:

• a clean water project
  
• the purchase of a full supply of books!


• a first time breakfast feeding program


• a rain water collection system


• the building of desks and shelves by us & students


• building a large storage room for added security


• and eventually, Sud's own science lab!

We should note that the plans, proposals and budgets for these projects are in the initial stages. While we are sure that some of our projects will change, clean water, food, books and proper facilities will be our focus with the funds raised. We are all very excited to add to the hard work our committee already does to provide for the basic operating costs. With everyone working towards the same goal, I know we can make Sud Academy and it's students shine even brighter!

* Above is a photo of the water tap at Sud. Surrounded by human waste, it is often broken, and even when it's fixed, the City of Nairobi rations water so much that weeks go by without a drop of water falling from it's nozzle. This is the source of many of the students' illnesses, and yet they continue to drink it when available because there is no alternative.

I am currently working on the plans, some proposals for funding, and I seem to be emailing a LOT. So much planning, communication and networking goes in to these kinds of projects, it blows my mind! Since noon today, I've sent 17 emails and am still counting....

I will be meeting up with a former Sud Academy teacher in Toronto tomorrow. Joseph Mayom is at York University and is studying under full scholarship- his success and hard work as a B+ student (above the average in his Biomedical Science program) inspires me to continue working towards the goal of educating Sudanese refugees. When given the same chances we have in Canada, they prove they can reach the same heights that our bright young minds can- and hopefully, with that success, they will be able to rebuild and rebrand their beautiful homeland, Sudan.

Lastly, my Mom is having another big fundraising event on October 15, 2009 in London at the Lamplighter Inn. Again with a fashion twist, "Style in the City" is going to outdo (I dare it to!) the Sunningdale event that happened in April. There are exciting raffles (including an exclusive and signed item from the Sex and the City movie set!) and prizes to be won, plus delicious appetizers and an evening of sexy style advice! All proceeds from raffles & auctions will be donated to Sud's Special Projects initiatives. Thanks, Mom! http://www.personalstyleconsulting.com/ for details.

Please check back soon for more updates as we get ready to hop the pond once again!