Ribbon cutting for the new Kibera School for Girls with Margaret Patricelli, Judy Gration, Bob Forrester, Jessica Posner, Kennedy Odede, and Ambassador Scott Gration (from left)
As we welcomed in the new year, the Kibera School for Girls welcomed an ambassador! Earlier this month, the school celebrated the arrival of Scott Gration, US Ambassador to Kenya, and his wife Mrs. Judy Gration. The Ambassador and his wife joined Kibera’s students in honoring Newman’s Own Foundation, a major supporter of the school since 2009. The Newman’s Own Foundation is instrumental in funding Kibera’s school, clinic, bio-latrine, and Clean Water Project. Bob Forrestor, the foundation’s president, joined the Ambassador and Mrs. Gration in cutting the ribbon for Kibera’s newest clean water tower and school building. Katherine Kitfield Bascom, Shining Hope’s Associate Managing Director, reported, “Our new school building is providing our students the space they need: larger classrooms, art studios, a hall for performances and parent meetings, and more. The clean water tower kiosk has started selling water, and we are thrilled to report that it’s been quite busy every day!”
Judging by what I read about the girls on Kibera’s Meet the Students page, I had a feeling they’d have no trouble impressing the US Ambassador and his wife with their bright personalities. The 2nd and 3rd grade classes shined on stage as they performed their play, “Lack of Education.” The story chronicles two parents who feel education has no place in their lives. Everything changes when they meet a student from the Kibera School for Girls who kindly offers to read a letter for them. They’re amazed by what this young girl can do and need no further convincing to enroll in Kibera’s Parent Education classes. Bascom commented, “The girls are amazing actresses – loud voices with very exaggerated character development.”
