Rays of Sunshine After Sunningdale Fundraiser

Well good friends- I am very happy to report that after the hard work of my mom Susan, and her amazing volunteer committee, her April 15th event “Wardrobe Disaster to Fashion Master” was a huge success in raising nearly $4,000 for Sud Academy and the Form 4 Boys, my two projects here in Nairobi!

This comes just in the nick of time, as I am set to leave Kenya and venture back across the ocean to the homeland, exactly one week from today! April 28th will be a sad day for me, as well as my “rafikis” (Swahili for friend) here in Nairobi. I will be able to feel good about what we have provided these 6 boys in their final year, and the assistance we’ve given to Sud Academy, a little school that has big dreams. But it is important to remember, it doesn’t end here. On the contrary, I am just getting my sleeves rolled up! Upon returning home, I will continue to work for these special students, and I will hope that all of you will join me in raising awareness, rallying others, or helping contribute to these causes.

Yesterday, I spent the day at Sud Academy going over prospective policies with the headmaster, Ojok Bosco. I told the 6 boys I’d be going there (most live in the area, I do not), and all of them showed up to hang out with me! I was so truly excited to see each one stroll in on his own, give big hugs and most importantly- deliver the news that we’d raised enough money to cover the costs of providing breakfast and also board in Term 3 when they will be studying round the clock for their exams. They were so excited and all demanded to speak with my mum, to say thanks for her work and to let her know how appreciative they are (of everyone in Canada, really…)

In the rain, we walked to the market from school to get the process started of buying Agostino’s uniforms and shoes. Success! -- We found a nice quality pair that looked smart and felt durable. Their school is on holiday until after I leave, so I will be meeting their principal in town this week to deliver the rest of the money with instructions to take care of my precious boys! They don’t understand how it’s possible that I am leaving them now- they say I must stay, and I tell them that unless they can hire me and pay me a salary, I must leave in search of what they have been graced with- $$$! They nod sadly, but don’t really give up with their pleas. They say, “Do you promise you will never forget us? Because we will never forget you, for all our life, we won’t forget Kellee from Canada.” Nor will they forget all the people who have helped me, help them. What a win-win experience this has been for all of us. Giving truly is rewarding.

As for Sud Academy, I am having a series of meetings this week. Most of them are to inform others of things that need work, things that are going well, and people/organizations here in Nairobi who are willing to lend a helping hand to the school. I am disappointed that I will not get to be here to help them implement their new policies and to continue building up the school into one that is effective, sustainable and with room to grow. I am relieved that we now have 2 board members who are eager and willing to keep an eye on the school, and help out with making bridges in the community. There are also some organizations that have invited the teachers to workshops that will help them build on their teaching skills, and most importantly, teach them how to work with refugee children. A similar organization has suggested the students participate in other workshops designed to build trust and understanding between people from different tribes. We haven’t really been successful in finding funding in Kenya- for that, I have realized it will take a permanent person here on the ground here, to facilitate the complicated process. I wish that I could have done more in this regard, but the time will come when we get the school enough funds to really blossom. I am confident of this because I have seen, and many have demonstrated, how much Canadians care when they are told this wonderful story of survival and hope.

To those who have supported the school and the boys thus far- I really cannot overstate how much of an impact we are making. It is big. It is real. And it is so exciting to think that we can do so much more. With my blog as a megaphone, I have managed to spread the word. I feel lucky that those words have fallen on open ears, open minds and open hearts. I am so anxious to see where we can take this, and I’m pumped that y’all are along for the ride! It’s now a lifelong commitment and it’s one I am so glad I’ve made.

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, a character says:

“I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.”

So- what is your part in this grandiose play, performed in a series of acts, on this, the global stage?

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Moving Along..

Well it's been a while since I last updated everyone on the progress of the boys and Sud. I have continued to visit the Form 4 boys a couple times a week to make sure they are doing well, studying hard, and behaving themselves. Teachers inform me it has been difficult for them to catch up on what they missed, but that they have all put in extra time and are willing and determined to do well. I have continued encouraging the boys to get extra help and to stay focused- they don't really need it as they are already self-driven, but I think it helps them along to have some positive reinforcement! They've taken to calling me their "mum" so I guess it's now my responsibility to act as a mother would!

Sud Academy is also doing well- the school closed yesterday (as did the boys school) for a holiday of a couple weeks, but the students have the option of going back for some extra lessons from their teachers, and they are eager to do so. I am working on putting together videos, pictures, speeches and information about Sud Academy and the story of the 5+1 Form 4 boys. I hope to be done within a week and will post it for viewing after it airs at a fundraising event in Canada on April 15.

Funding for Agostino, the 6th Form 4 to need help with school fees, has not yet come in. For this reason, I can't really report anything about him other than he still requires some financial help and is looking forward to continuing his education. He is very keen and often whisks by me at school to run to class, study sessions or extra lessons with teachers on their rest breaks. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to do so! :-)

I will write again soon as things happen... for now, I am continuing with building bridges, making friends on behalf of Sud Academy, and doing research on the challenges and issues facing the students' homeland of Southern Sudan.

Happy long weekend coming up in Canada...