The Lab's Complete, So Farewell to Nairobi For Now...

It's time to say thank you to our donors, and goodbye to Nairobi for now....

Well friends of Sud Academy's Special Projects, the time has come for me to head back home to Canada after completing the Science Lab Project at Sud. For those of you who have been watching my YouTube video updates, you know it's been a giant work in progress! I figured I'd let the images speak for themselves, and am now writing to say that the project is complete and the students will soon be able to carry on with the task of learning.

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I would like to say thank you to Susan Jacobs and the attendees at her fashion event "Sue in the City" in March-- your concern for the students of Sud helped raise over $12,000 in total! This is an amazing feat and can not be understated. Much of that money remains to be used for supplies, resources and unseen expenses related to the Form 4 students later this year. For now, they have a fully functioning lab with running water, an onslaught of lab materials, they've been registered to write their standardized national exam in November, and a teacher's salary is lined up and ready to be dispensed.

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I'll be leaving Kenya on both happy and sad notes- I'm sad to say goodbye but relieved that the project was a success and my goals were achieved! I couldn't have done it without the help of those who've donated time, energy and money, so a sincere thank you. I will try to update the blog with progress of students from time to time, so please check back when you're cruising the internet! Also, visit my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/kelleejacobs to see the construction of the lab as it happened on the ground in a series of short videos.

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On a side note update, former Form 4 boy Lino has been in Sudan since January this year working for the Government of Southern Sudan collecting data on mother's health and death during childbirth. He was recently asked to work at his local polling station during the first semi-democratic election in Sudan in over 25 years! With a bit of knowledge and a diploma in hand, I'm certain these students can make a world of difference. Good work, Lino!

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And Another....

So here is a video from today, when Dan and his men were building the foundation for the lab. By the weekend, the container will have arrived and the lab will be nearly set! Check below for more vids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-15hltizrA

And 1 more video....

Just to add to the post below this & the 3 videos from last week, here's a new video update from today. Construction started on the lab, and things are really MOVING! So pumped!!!!!! Please look at the post below this for videos on science materials, books and the new Form 4 classroom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsGF1KoDU0w

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Form 4 At Sud Is ON!

Over the last couple weeks, we've been really busy getting our Form 4s set up for success in learning! A week ago, I went to town with the Headmaster and a secondary teacher to collect all the books necessary for Form 4 subjects. 114 books in total, and I managed to get 30% off the standard price.... my bargaining skills continue to save money, meaning donor dollars can go much further. Gotta love business in Kenya!

UP: Here, a Form 3 student who was around during the

midterm holiday helps me unpack and sort Form 4 texts...

I know he is thinking that next year, these will be his!

For video of Form 4 student Joseph & I discussing the new books, click HERE!

 When talking with the Form 4s a couple weeks ago, they were worried about their classroom being way too hot to concentrate--- while this wasn't part of the project plan, I had to agree that studying in a classroom that's over 100 degrees in the afternoon sun was difficult! So, we reconstructed an old office and the former Grade 1 classroom into a similar sized new classroom that has a 1.5 ft wire mesh border running around the top, letting breeze flow & the sun shine in! We also re-cemented the badly beaten floor so their desks could sit still.... The total project cost was about $300, and they're very grateful to be able to focus better, and for longer!

For video of the Headmaster and I joining in the construction work, click HERE!

 UP: Reconstructing the new Form 4 classroom to make it cooler,

 brighter and better for learning!

Down: Form 4's working hard in their new classroom--

now the envy of the entire student body...

 This past week was busy with board meetings, staff meetings, visiting other schools for reference, and checking- then triple checking- material prices for the lab with engineers, logisticians and people "in the know". All have given us the go-ahead for the quotation so the foundation of the Lab will be laid TOMORROW! I am beyond excited to see the lab in progress and will be shooting videos to update you throughout the coming week!

For a new video of biology teacher Ndegwa & I at a laboratory equipment distributor, calculating and bargaining (this time for over 50% off!) the cost of outfitting Suds' lab, click HERE!

 UP: Students & I demonstrate where the new science lab will be located! YAY

Please come back later this week for more video updates as the lab begins from the ground up! I hope you'll all be proud of the work we're doing with your donor dollars.... I know the students are certainly proud of their school and its progress over the last year. Til then.... Thank you!

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The Beginning of a Lab...!

Hello from sunny Kenya! It's been just over a week since I've been here and the lab project is off to a good but cautious start. Meetings with the students, headmaster, contractor and science lab technicians have gone well and things are moving along. We hope to have the container at Sud by the weekend, but must still make some of the preliminary arrangements before taking the leap! We're working on reconstructing a classroom for the Form 4 students with more space and windows, making it easier for them to concentrate in the very hot hours of the afternoon. We will also be going through a local high school's lab tomorrow to see what kind of inventory they have and what we need for our own science lab. I'm also working on registering them for their exams, which have to be written and prepared for at an exam centre. The bargaining has begun! Books will be purchased in the next couple days and the recruiting of a qualified teacher will begin later this week! The students are anxious but patient... for now! They've been studying other subjects with the help of volunteer teachers, 2 of the Form 4 boys from last year.

Some of the Form 4 boys were asking me today who is going to build the lab for them. I

was meeting with the contractor at school and they were excited to see we're making plans!

All in all, it's been a busy week! Getting settled and setting out to start this hefty project have been fun and I'm so very looking forward to Sud finally having its own Form 4 class. Staff and students agree it's the best way forward for Sud and will give the school a sense of pride and its students a gleam of hope. Thanks to all of you who've been instrumental in donating & raising funds for the project. I assure you that as soon as a shovel hits the ground, I'll be back here with a video update!

Until then, I'm back to my meetings and bargaining.... Ciao!

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And I'm Off! ... Again.

Happy New Year 2010 everyone! I hope this year brings good things to each and every one of you.... I am also hoping it brings wonderful things to Sud Academy, especially the Form 4 students who hope to be able to graduate this year.

I've been back in Canada for about a month, visiting with friends, family and potential donors to the Science Lab project at Sud. While the fundraising this time around has been very difficult, the project is set to commence next week when I arrive in Nairobi! Fingers are crossed that more funds will come in over the next month or so, so that we can ensure the project is completed with no shortcuts. I will certainly be blogging and adding photos in about a week.... I am going to try to video-document the Lab throughout the process, but I'll need to recruit a good camera man/woman from Sud first!

On another note, Lino Madut, one of last years' Form 4 boys has returned to Sudan this month! I've spoken with him several times since he arrived, and as I type this, he is taking a bus on a 2 day journey to his home village from the capital, Juba. He will be reunited with his twin sister, whom he was separated from in 1993 when they were both captured and taken as slaves. He intends to become a teacher, and told me that he will even teach for free if it means he can share his knowledge with impoverished children "who don't know anything". I'm very proud of him for graduating and using the opportunity he was given to give back to others. He wouldn't have been able to do it without those who donated last year; you should be proud too! Please read below for an excerpt from the letter he sent to Canada with me:

To my dear great sponsors,

I am here by writing this appreciative letter to you that it is because of you that I have finished my high school through your support... I am so grateful for that support, you people really make us proud of you. Moreover, I do hope that you will do more for our next [Form 4] class but I have no word to say because I am very happy indeed for your support. We also thank Kellee for the effort she made to coordinate you to us. I do see her like my lovely twin sister who have not seen me for the last 15 years now but I still love her. One day I will see her...

 Yours Faithfully,
Lino Madut Angok

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I'd like to end my post today by acknowledging a special group of people who have, over the last 12 months, been overwhelmingly supportive in a number of ways to my efforts & projects at Sud Academy. Peter, Tulin and Lisa Sallabank, of Salon Entrenous in London, have been involved in raising & contributing over $6, 000 towards the Form 4 Boys, text books, the rain water catchment system and recently, the science lab & Form 4 classroom. I'm honoured that my cause has inspired their family to follow my journey and take their own creative initiatives to help raise money for Sud. A very big, thank you!

Peter & Tulin, Style in the City- Sud Academy Fundraiser

October 2009

Lisa & I @ Salon Entrenous, January 2010

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