School Visits

Chiberer School



Kenyans value education and it is apparent in the number of schools we saw. Primary public education is funded by the government, but additional costs include supplies and uniforms which can be beyond the reach of the Kenyan farmer. Secondary education, or high school, is not government funded. While students may pass their entrance exams to high school, it means nothing without the means to go on.

Schools are both government run and private. Some of the private schools have boarding facilities. The neighboring villages of Miwani, Karunga, Chiberer, and Kano each had a primary school through form 9. The buildings were simple. Long, partitioned mud, or sometimes block buildings. Window openings were shuttered, but when opened, provided soft light. Roofs were rusted, corrugated iron. The classes were open rooms with painted blackboards along one wall and simple, worn benches. If the school had a lunch program, the kitchen was often a mud walled building behind the classrooms where Ugali, rice, or beans were cooked over wood fires. In schools without lunch it was common for kids to be in school from 7:30 to 4:30 each day with only water or Chai (tea) for the day. The mind doesn’t work well when the stomach is empty.

Hanna and I had met Madam Idalia, the baby school (preschool/kindergarten) teacher last week when our team went to visit Karunga village. We had enjoyed reading with the kids and returned with more books to share. Karunga School is about a 2km walk from Nehemiah on the road, joining a dirt path that winds through part of Karunga village. As we walked kids collected around, wanting to hold hands and escort us past woman putting maize out to dry, scrubbing pans with sand and water to clean them, or washing laundry in plastic tubs. The men were absent, most already out hoeing in the cane fields or tending stock and working their own shambas (gardens). As we crossed the field, many of the teachers were sitting under a tree, and Madam Idalia was not present. Unfortunately, not an uncommon practice in Kenyan public education. Teachers may not show, or show up late. Often teaching means putting a lesson on the board and having the students copy it while the teachers take tea and visit outside the classroom. Marit explained that while this is cultural and accepted, one of Nehemiah’s goals has been to partner with village schools in providing materials, books, and in mentoring both students and teachers. The lunch program at Karunga is also supported by Nehemiah.

Meet your sub, Ms. Hanna!



Our role of guest became that of substitute teacher! I lost count but there were at least 35 squirmy kids in a circle on benches. Like kids everywhere some were shy, some were clowns, and some full of mischief. We had a great time doing numbers, shapes, colors, the alphabet, and reading “Clifford, the Big Red Dog” and “Blueberries for Sal.” I’m sure known of them knew a blueberry from a bear. It didn’t matter, fun didn’t get lost in the lack of translation.

At all of the schools we visited, we were welcomed as friends. Nehemiah and those that have served with Nehemiah built those bridges. We saw evidence of the wonderful partnership and relationships in the students, teachers, and headmasters greetings. At Miwani School they were so proud to show us the beautiful murals Anna Schuler had painted from a past visit, and to show how they had stocked their libraries with donated books. Today, however, was special! The girl’s choir from Miwani had been selected to go to Mombasa for a national choir competition and the government was going to provide a bus for transportation, but the school needed to fund the other expenses, and was still short of the full cost. Our team had allocated funds for projects as part of the trip budget and this was a perfect opportunity.

Miwani School



We assembled in Doreen’s (headmaster) office with her assistant Tobias and asked if we could also have the choir director join us. Their excitement on learning we were going to partner with the choir in helping fund the trip was only surpassed when the director had all the students, teachers, and even some parents assemble outside for an impromptu choir performance. Before starting to sing, the director told the choir and assembled teachers and parents, their trip was going to happen. Absolute delight—smiles, hand clapping, jumping, and shouting. The open air concert was wonderful, a blessing to us and a joy to share in their excitement.

Beyond Karunga village, at the base of the escarpment was Chiberer School. If I could pick a place for a hideaway, this might be it. The backdrop of boulders and hillside with the long open valley and cane fields beyond was beautiful. The school is an extended building, divided into classrooms and set in a grassy open field with large shade trees. A breezy, open space where you simply want to sit and enjoy your surroundings.





The day prior, Marit had arranged for donkeys to meet us at the end of the road so we could pack supplies and more books up to the Chiberer library. A schedule in Kenya is not time dependent, but simply when one decides to show up. Since the donkeys didn’t show, we packed feed sacks loaded with books up the trail, two of us each carrying an end, or on our shoulders. The trail was dry, even, and the trip went quickly. We enjoyed a tour of the classrooms and hearing about the headmaster’s wishes for a lunch program and teacher housing. He was excited to show us how they had neatly placed the previously donated books on pallets in their best, secure building. The students assembled outside for photos with the new books, and sent us off with a group thank you and prayer.

July 28th-July29th