In
short:
Following the closure of BDA Secondary and the
transfer of KES scholars to new schools Chair John and Founding Trustee Simon
visited Kenya to see how our scholars were settling in and to carry out due
diligence, with child safety and welfare in mind. John’s full report described their impressions
gained from touring the schools, discussions with senior staff and meeting scholars
in March.
John reported back to Trustees, “In short, the Kenya
trip left Simon and I feeling very positive and confident that all will be well,
especially so when Lydia confirmed she is happy to continue her Welfare and school
link role. It is clear that Lydia and
Joseph managed the smooth transfer of our scholars extremely well and both
Simon and I am sure that the
decision to close Bahati Division Academy High School was the right decision at
the right time”.
The Schools..
Sacred
Heart Boys School, Nakuru, is a Catholic Boys’ School, set in the grounds of a
Roman Catholic Seminary. Lydia, Simon
and I were shown round school by Mr Thaddeus
Onsomu,
who, alongside Doris, School Counsellor and Brian Cheriot had come with the boys from BDA. The
grounds are extensive, and the central quad is full of luscious, mature fruit
trees.
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The Chapel |
We visited the beautiful Chapel, basic
dormitories, the simple kitchen and gardens and several classrooms. We visited
a Chemistry laboratory during a Science Examination and were able to see the well
-stocked Science Prep and Store-room.
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Simon, Lydia and Thaddeus in the Kitchen |
We met Father Ronald, the new Principal. He has been
there one year and is impressive. He is young calm, highly educated and gave
deep, reassuring assessments of what he has
done, in his first year. Finally, we met
the KES boys who said they were happy and enjoying their new school. Father
Ronald said they’d brought a very positive set of attitudes, a high level of
engagement and good behavior. He was impressed with their use of English adding
that it was having a positive effect on other students. The personal links
between Lydia and two ex BDA staff who transferred with the boys are a real
bonus.
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John talking with the boys |
Bahati
Division Academy, Nakuru. http://bahatidivisionacademy.com/ I don’t need to describe BDA, we know it well and
Simon had visited with Nicky in November 2017.
We were shown round by Lydia, Headteacher Anthony Nangoye
and
his Deputy. The site is much developed with new buildings and significant
growth of planting since my last visit in 2011.
There were very good signs of extra-curricular activities around the
site and students were welcoming, happy, smiling and engaging.
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Simon, Anthony and Deputy |
Anthony, who has been head for almost a year, was
clearly pleased that the site is now wholly Primary. He is keen, engaging,
knowledgeable and has high hopes for the future. He talked animatedly about the
importance marketing the school.
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John, Lydia and BDA Scholars |
Vanessa
Grant, Nakuru. https://www.vggs.org/ We were warmly welcomed to the impressive Vanessa
Grant Girls Secondary School by the calm and reassuring Principal Nancy Mwaniki
and Senior Staff. Our visit was on
Thanksgiving (Prize) day and we discovered were to be on the top table.
As we toured the beautifully designed school buildings
and well-appointed grounds we could hear girls singing in their Home Areas and
each student we met greeted us with a smile and handshake. The whole school exuded a confident, caring
and happy learning environment.
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Beautiful grounds and buildings |
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Prize Day in the School Hall. |
We then learnt we were expected to speak at the three-hour
ceremony, within Joseph’s allotted time, which we did. We even helped present the prizes. The
Programme included lively singing, talks and presentations.
The level of equipment in the school is very good
indeed. It was quite emotional seeing the BDA girls, who were very happy to see
us and there were some tears shed as we
left.
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Passing on presents to Joyce and Amazing Grace |
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The impressive Library |
The large,
split site is in the heart of Nairobi and, as we walked around, the girls we
met introduced themselves, were friendly, and obviously happy, well behaved and
keen to learn. The substantial, stone buildings reminded me of my 1960’s
Grammar School and when we visited the library we met the two KES scholars our
family sponsors Joyce and Amazing Grace. They were clearly happy to be at the
school and had settled in well.
Starehe Boys’ Centre, Nairobi http://www.stareheboyscentre.ac.ke/sbc/ - We were
warmly welcomed by the Director Charles Amulavu Masheti on this brief visit. We
have no KES Scholars here yet but Joseph is an alumni and his and Lydia’s son
Andrew is a student here. It is another very impressive school in extensive
grounds with excellent facilities and a powerful reputation for academic and
character education. The pictures
of visiting dignitaries, from The Queen Mother, via Mohammed Ali to Bill
Clinton hinted at great influence.
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Joseph, Charles, Simon and John |
Starehe
Girls’ Centre, Nairobi https://starehegirlscentre.co.ke/ - This is the Boys’ relatively recent sister
school. We met the school’s Director
Sister Jane Soita and Mary
Njuguna in charge of scholarships. This
too is a most impressive school. Set in 55 acres of beautiful, prime real
estate in the heart of Nairobi the founding principles of the school are both
ethical and proven.
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Dormitories |
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An afternoon game of Chess |
The site is beautiful, on rolling hills, surrounded
with extensive forests and a lake well used for Outdoor Activities. The buildings are architecturally
co-ordinated and the facilities for sports, dining, sleeping and recreation are
both well ordered and kept. Once again,
the girls were happy, friendly, open and welcoming. It felt a very special place of learning and we
were impressed with Sister Jane’s calm assurance, care and relaxed manner.
Simon and Nicky had each offered to sponsor
two students and Simon was able to meet his two students. Joseph and I were both moved by the quality and
care the school takes and so we each offered to sponsor an extra student each. It was a wonderful end to our visits.
John Pearce May 2018