First Term is in Full Swing!

My, oh, my!  Time is flying and I just realized it has been much too long since we posted on our blog here, so let's get back to business. The school year seemed to get off to a bit of a slower start than usual this year.  Standard 8 students had to wait until the end of January for the KCPE results from the government, so they were very "up in the air" -- not sure if they should enroll in standard 8 again or be permitted to enroll in form 1.  This also meant that form 1 couldn't start until the end of January.  Once results came out, students made their decisions and Waddington High School began accepting the new form 1 students.  Then, with the Kenyan elections in early March, some families took their children "up country" to relatives and schools around Nairobi were closed in fear there would be outbreaks of violence.  That is what happened in the last presidential election, so there was cause for concern.  School resumed about a week later and children began trickling back in.  The students have now settled back into the routine of school days.  Annual photos of each and every precious child have been sent to their sponsors and things are humming along again.

One of the most exciting events has been the opening of a computer lab at WHS!  KKIN UK donors provided refurbished computers and monitors, for which the school was so grateful!  Then, thanks to the donations of PAB supporters in Australia and other donations, we were able to provide the software and computer studies textbooks to complete the lab. Computer studies will begin with Form 1 this year.  Next year Form 2 will be added as well.  This is such a milestone for this school! I remember when we were raising funds for electricity at the school (and clean water!). Thank you to all who made this possible!

I also wanted to update you on the KCSE and KCPE fund drive.  Because of your generous donations, this year we were able to raise $2736.50 for KCSE exams and $607.50 for the KCPE exams, for a total of $3344.00!  This will go a long way in helping many of our students take these required exams.

Please check out the Plant-a-Book International website at www.plantabook.org.

There are so many kids that need sponsors, fees are reasonable and rewards are great.  I'll be in touch again soon!

Brenda