Happy Christmas!
As we look back on another wonderful year for KES we thank our sponsors,
supporters and friends, for making it work. So what were the highlights of 2015?
I thought it would be a good idea to ask the Trustees. This is what they sent me…
Hannah
The highlight for me has definitely been
working on the Christmas cards. The students' designs were so varied and gave
me an interesting view into their traditions and also their perspective of
ours. It challenged my preconceptions too. The winning designs only just
scratched the surface of the talent and creativity.
Nicky
On our visit to Kenya, in
the library at BDA, I talked with a group of girls KES sponsors are supporting.
We talked about careers, aspirations, ideals and beliefs. This was a
reminder that our KES students have the same mixture of interests, worries and
distractions as any bunch of teenagers you'll meet at home or anywhere.
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| Nicky talking to girls at BDA |
Steph
Mine would definitely be the
Christmas cards too! It was wonderful to see different interpretations of the
idea of Christmas. They’re a talking point raising awareness of KES. Also, the news that Ruth, the student we
supported, has now left BDA and gone on to attend college. I am so pleased and
happy for Ruth and truly grateful that we were able to help her shape a future
for herself!
Sam
My memory of the year was
the wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time picking Joseph's brain on his
visit to England. Meeting him brought
our work into reality and, short of visiting, made a strong link with what we
do as trustees. Seeing Joseph with Simon and talking to sponsors and supporters
of KES at Simon and Nicky's was the icing on the cake. The passion and
dedication were there for all to see.
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| Joseph visiting sponsors and supporters 2015 |
Simon
For me it was being at BDA for the speech day
and prize giving. Prizes were awarded
for the top student in each of the four forms in the secondary school. It
was fantastic to realise that the top student in each form was a KES sponsored
scholar.
One speech was given on behalf of the
Primary school and a KES sponsored student Rachel Lenangida was chosen to do
this. She spoke with such confidence,
clarity and eloquence. It was hard to realise that Rachel had lost both
her parents and her fees were being paid by her guardian who had recently died
of cancer leaving Rachel without any support. I was grateful to Jean
Brunt from Worksop Rotary who kindly agreed to sponsor Rachel.
John
I remember sitting back, quite unusual for me, whilst chairing a Trustee
meeting watching them debate, work, laugh and above all, be so passionate about
our work. It’s an honour to be chair of
such a dedicated and talented bunch. We keep saying, “It’s all about the students” and, once again, we voted to
keep to the principle, “100% the money we raise goes directly to student
support”.
The following phrases from Christine
and Neema, the students Dodo and I sponsor say it all…
“I’d like to thank you for giving me this golden opportunity - I promise
to work smart to brighten my own future.”
“I know one day my dreams will come true – I too want to help needy
children make their dreams valid.”
So, there we are 2015 remembered and 63 students – KES scholars – with
their dreams for 2016!
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| A few KES scholars |
Thank you again and a Happy New Year to all.
John
