In Loving Memory of Linda

 

This week the Galilee Primary School and our sponsorship community mourns the untimely passing of one of our cherished Nairobi Kids.  Little Linda (pictured above) was starting Standard 8 this year at the Galilee Primary School, but last week she was struck with a sudden illness.  Linda’s family did not have the money to take her to the hospital so she was kept at home, bedridden, for three days before she passed away.  It is now believed that her death was caused by Malaria.

Linda is remembered by the teachers and staff at GPS as a smart girl who was always polite.  Fanuel, the school director, and several of the teachers at GPS have already visited Linda’s family to offer their condolences.  Linda’s sponsor has also been notified of her passing.

In honor of Linda, we have decided to rename our KCPE Fund “Little Linda’s KCPE Fund.”  Linda was entering Standard 8 and would have been eligible to take the KCPE Exam at the end of the year.  Her family would have had no means to pay for the $9.25 testing fee, and her ability to enter high school would have been dependent upon the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to make a donation in Linda’s honor to help her friends and classmates take this examination, please click the “Donate” button to the right of this post and type “Little Linda’s KCPE Fund” in the memo box.  Please note that any donations in excess of the fees needed for Standard 8 students in a given year will go toward the KCSE Fund.

Please keep Linda, her family, her sponsor, and the GPS students and staff that knew and loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

~submitted by Brooke

Back to School!

January marks the beginning of the new school year in Kenya, and our Nairobi Kids headed back to class on January 6.  As can be seen from these photos of the first week of school, the children were excited to be back in class and see their friends. 

Fanuel (the school director) reports that 95% of the sponsored children (other than Form 1, which reports next week) have returned to school.  Brenda (the Plant-a-Book Int. director) has emailed any sponsor whose sponsored child has not returned.  Therefore, if you have not received an email you can rest assured that your sponsored child has safely returned to class.  We may still see a few more children straggle in as some families travel far into the countryside over the break and their return is sometimes delayed for various reasons.

Since high school eligibility is dependent upon KCPE scores, Form 1 traditionally starts a few weeks after the other children return to school.  WHS Form 1 students will begin the school year on Monday.  We expect a list from Fanuel of the Form 1 students have returned to class by the end of next week.

In other exciting news, Fanuel reports that the primary school children are already using the two new classrooms that have been built, even though the construction is not yet complete.  He assures us that they are safe to use.  Thank you to all of our donors who made the construction of these much needed classrooms possible!  Donations are still needed to complete these rooms.

Please remember to update your sponsored child’s grade level when writing them letters or making purchases from the Online Shop.  If you have any questions about your sponsored child, please email Brenda at info@plantabook.org.

 

 

 

 ~ Submitted by Brooke