Tag Archives: kibera school for girls

Interview with Lilian, Prefect at Kibera

 

Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, wants to be an artist when she grows up...we think she already is!

Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, wants to be an artist when she grows up...we think she already is!

And now, for the third and final installment of our introduction to the student leaders (see the first two here and here) at the Kibera School for Girls. As a quick refresher, Kibera recently started a new leadership program for its students. In it, the school calls on different first, second and third graders to serve as prefects, deputy head girls and head girls. Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, completed her term as prefect this year and I’m excited to introduce you to her. She may be young, but not for a second does she let that stand in the way of her ability to look out for and work with her peers. Between her desire to be an artist and her excitement in being a leader, she clearly channels creativity and confidence. I’m excited to see what Lilian accomplishes during her time at Kibera and beyond!

Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘typical day’ as prefect? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

When I am in class and the people are there, if they are making noise I tell them to keep quiet. If they are making noise, I tell them that they need to stop.

How do you work together with the deputy head girls and head girl?

I work with them – if somebody is misbehaving I take them to the deputy head girl and head girl.

What’s your favorite part of the prefect job?

My favorite part of the job is when people are making noise, then I take them to the teacher or headmistress.

What is the hardest part about being prefect?

When people are making noise, and I have to tell them to keep quiet and they make noise again.

If you had to give a piece of advice to next week’s prefect, what would you tell them?

I will tell her that I was the prefect and I want you to lead people nicely.

How did it make you feel to be selected prefect?

I felt happy and I was excited.

What did you learn about your school when you were prefect that you didn’t know before?

If someone is misbehaving, you should take them to the deputy head girl or head girl.

On top of being prefect, you have lots of classes to take too! What’s your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the school year is the Summer Institute. My favorite subject is art. I like to draw and make dolls using lassos.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an artist.

 

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interview with Natasha, Head Girl at Kibera

Natasha, a third grader at Kibera, shares her thoughts on being head girl with She's the First blog readers

As I think back to my elementary school days, I remember one of the highlights was getting to be a safety in sixth grade. Considered the highest of honors among my peers, serving as a safety meant getting out of class a few minutes early at the end of the day so I could lead my fellow bus-mates to bus #42. I made sure everyone got on and off safely, and that everybody stayed in line and sat in the right row on the playground. I proudly wore my fluorescent yellow safety badge and took great pride in my near flawless track record.

Because of my fond memories of “safety days,” I was delighted to hear that the Kibera School for Girls recently introduced a program very similar to the one I experienced. Though the mark of distinction is different (they opted for the more subtle pin instead of overly-flashy yellow badges), Kibera’s new program is similar in that it fosters leadership and listening among its students. Each month, a third grade student is selected to serve as head girl and a second grade student serves as deputy head girl. Each month, a different girl from each class is picked to serve as class prefect. Together, these girls make sure their classmates follow school rules and encourage their peers to show kindness and respect to one another. At the end of the month, each head girl and deputy head girl delivers a speech to their classmates.

This post, and the next two posts I share, will feature a head girl, deputy head girl, and class prefect. For this feature’s debut, I’m happy to introduce Natasha, a third grader at Kibera whose favorite parts of the school day include “playing together, sharing ideas, and playing games.” She used her position to inspire respect, hard work, and love among teachers, classmates, and friends. After reading about Natasha’s experience as a head girl, share your support with her in the comments below!

Natasha shares, in her own words, her experience being head girl:

Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘typical day’ as head girl? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

When the girls have gone to play, I make sure that they have not gone to the shops or removed their shoes, that they hear the bell when it rings, and that all the toys are in the box.

How do you work together with the deputy head girl and prefects?

We work together when I tell some of the prefects to group the classes and make sure that nobody makes noise, everyone listens, and all of the things that she has should be neat. Her room should be clean and she should have a handkerchief.

What’s your favorite part of the head girl job?

My favorite part is when I tell the girls to be neat because I’m sure that I’m neat and to come early and to do the right thing at the right place and at the right time.

What is the hardest part about being head girl job?

When you tell the small girls something and they can’t hear. The girls don’t know who I am when I tell them not to remove their shoes. Sometimes I tell them to go and lay down and they don’t so they go to their teacher and they tell them. Now they know I’m the head girl and that they should do the right thing at the right time.

If you had to give a piece of advice to next month’s head girl, what would you tell them?

Work hard and you should work as a team together with the deputy and you should respect them and show them the right place at the right time and you should make them come to school early and be obedient.

How did it make you feel to be selected head girl?

I didn’t know I was so surprised! I was worried and I didn’t know and when I remembered I went to look after the girls.

What did/will you tell your classmates during your speech?

I tell them you should respect teachers, your classmates, and you should show to your friend love. You should make sure you come to school early and clean.

What did you learn about the school when you were prefect that you didn’t know before?

I’ve learned that when you come to school, there are some people who are neat and respect their teachers, follow instructions, and respect their classmates. I learned on my first day how I was proud, I looked at the girls and was proud to be the head girl.

What makes you most proud of your school?

They are girls, they show respect, and they play together as a school. They show teachers respect and obedience. If I give them the ball they know how to return it where I found it. I like how we have a playground and a clinic – how if we are sick we go there. I like how the visitors come and how our teachers handle our problems if we have them and how they teach us.

On top of being head girl, you have lots of classes to take too! What’s your favorite part of the school day?

Playing together, sharing ideas, playing games.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Air hostess

 

Stay tuned for our next interview with second grade deputy head girl, Christian!

 

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Celebration of Firsts from the Kibera School for Girls

Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner, now newlyweds, walk with students in Kibera, Kenya

Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner walk with students in Kibera, Kenya

I feel like my fingers can hardly keep up with the exciting news I have to share with you, She’s the First readers!  Jessica Posner and Kennedy Odede, co-founders of our partner school, the Kibera School for Girls, and nonprofit Shining Hope for Communities, recently tied the knot! Can you think of another couple that radiates such goodness in this world? On behalf of everyone at She’s the First, we send our deepest congratulations to a world-shaking, life-changing couple.

The newlyweds met when Jessica Posner, a student at Wesleyan University, packed up and moved to the Kibera Slum in Kenya. At the time, Jessica was one of the first outsiders to live in Kibera, a region of Kenya suffering from extreme poverty and Africa’s largest slum. Before her arrival, Kennedy had earned the reputation of “mayor” in Kibera because of his work in establishing a community-run organization that offered AIDS education, female empowerment, health and sanitation, soccer, microfinance and theatre programs. As fate would have it, the two crossed paths and co-founded Shining Hope for Communities as Kennedy pursued his dreams of earning a degree at Wesleyan University himself. (This leads me to an entirely new first for Kennedy, but I’ll keep you in suspense until the end of this post!)

Under their guidance and leadership, Shining Hope for Communities has grown to offer the Kibera School for Girls, The Johanna Justin-Jinich Community Clinic, Shining Hope Community Center, and multiple other community services and women’s empowerment programs.  To learn more about the incredible work of Shining Hope, visit here.

As for the other incredible “first” from Shining Hope for Communities, Kennedy became the first person from Kibera to move his graduation tassel from one side to the other.  In honor of overcoming significant challenges, filling others with Hope, and being a mentor and leader to all in his home community, Kennedy delivered the Senior Class Welcome during Wesleyan University’s 180th Commencement Ceremony on May 27. A graduate of the Class of 2012, Kennedy shared his message of hope as he addressed his fellow graduates.  In his speech, he declared his wish to return to Wesleyan 13 years from now to watch his young students at the Kibera School for Girls walk across the stage and receive their own Wesleyan diplomas. In closing, he asked his peers to join him in saying,

“Today I promise to use my Wesleyan education to champion hope throughout the world.”

How will you join Kennedy in this vision? How do you use education to champion hope? Share your thoughts and congratulations with the newlyweds on Twitter or in the comment section below!

For a full transcript of Kennedy’s Senior Class Welcome, click here.

Kennedy Odede delivers Senior Class Welcome to the Class of 2012 at Wesleyan University

Kennedy Odede delivers Senior Class Welcome to the Class of 2012 at Wesleyan University

 

 

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Blockbuster Time for She’s the First

"In Kibera," Shining Hope for Communities powerful new film collection

"In Kibera," Shining Hope for Communities powerful new film collection

I’ve noticed recently that She’s the First is in a flurry of film! Kate Lord and Christen Brandt are gearing up for their trip to Shanti Bhavan in India, where they’ll be filming a short documentary, and of course we recently launched our brand-new PSA (see it on our homepage!).

And one of our partner schools, Shining Hope for Communities in Kenya, just launched an incredible new film platform. “In Kibera” features short videos about the lives of those who have been impacted by Shining Hope. The videos are beautifully done, intriguing and inspiring. Visit the site and you’ll learn about Baba Diana, the father of a student at the Kibera School for Girls who wants nothing more than to see his young daughter live a life filled with learning. You’ll be captivated by the story of Shining Girls for Kibera, an empowerment group for young girls.  In Coaches, you’ll feel the dedication of a man committed to supporting the children of Kibera through coaching. I’m already beyond-impressed by the phenomenal work of Shining Hope for Communities, but this new website is truly icing on the cake.

I also recently got a chance to attend a film festival with Brianne Riviello, She’s the First Pen Pal coordinator and former Ithaca grad! Because I’m an Ithaca College student living in upstate New York, it’s a rare day that I can visit my She’s the First friends based in New York City. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found out Brianne would be visiting Ithaca, New York for its famous FLEFF Film Festival! We were moved by the screening of “Africa is a Woman’s Name,” a collection of three documentaries about women who are catalysts for change.  At the film’s conclusion, we were asked to speak about the She’s the First. All the Ithaca students lit up in smiles when we reminded them they already know of She’s the First – the organization that brought them the famous tie-dye cupcakes! For more information on the documentary and other films about women’s rights and education, visit this site.

I’ve loved learning about new films that bring to life how women are empowered by education. What are your go-to girls’ education films? If you have any recommendations, tweet us or comment below!

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

All Fun and Games in Ethiopia and Kenya

The endless talents of the students at the Kibera School for Girls!

The endless talents of the students at the Kibera School for Girls!

As summer approaches and finals are behind us, it’s time to close the books for a bit and think about fun! I wrote to the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya and the Selamta Family Project in Ethiopia to learn more about playtime halfway across the world. In elementary school, my recess usually consisted of hopscotch, foursquare (the kind with a ball and chalk boxes – not a cell phone check-in!), and funnel ball. However, after learning about the schools’ playtime activities like Circus Camp, yoga classes, Ethiopian and hip hop dancing, I’m blown away by incredible ways these girls fill their day.

At the Kibera School, the girls play outside for 30-40 minutes every day after lunch. Typically, the younger girls dance their way through recess, while the older girls jump rope, read, or talk with friends. However, for two weeks recently, the young girls were entertained by the Africa Yoga Project, a performing arts organization that led the girls in yoga, drumming, singing, sign language, face paint, and hula hooping classes! The girls rotated through the different sessions the first week, and then chose their favorite activities to do the second week. At the culmination of Circus Camp, the girls hosted an incredible show for all of the KSG families.

In Ethiopia, the students at the Selamta Family Project also have time each day to relax and play. Though all of the students have break-time during the school day, they usually also play after school before helping out at home or starting homework. Like the girls at Kibera, the students enjoy jumping rope, painting and drawing, and doing gymnastics, but they also love to play card games (especially Uno!) and futbol, or practice their hip hop or traditional Ethiopian dance moves. Some girls spend their recess trying out new hair braiding styles. One of their favorite special events is Selamta Idol!

Both the Kibera School for Girls and the Selamta Family Project believe that all children have the right to play. In writing this blog, I learned that playtime is more than just a fun break in the day, it’s actually a right protected by the United Nations. Article 31 of the UN Convention asserts, “every child has the right to rest an leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities . . .and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.” Whether they’re working hard at reading new books or solving math problems, it’s clear the girls at the She’s the First partner schools fill their day with lots of learning and lots of joy!

Posted in Kibera School for Girls, Selamta Family Project | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hope for Water at the Kibera School for Girls

Community members at the Clean Water Project in Kibera

Community members at the Clean Water Project in Kibera

Did you celebrate World Water Day on March 22nd? Children worldwide, especially young girls, suffer at the hands of unclean water. When water isn’t easily accessible, education also becomes less obtainable. Girls are typically the ones responsible for walking miles each day to fetch water for their families, thus taking them out of school and often placing them in harm’s way. Given these circumstances, it’s no surprise that the She’s the First partner schools I work with pour so much effort into bringing water points closer to their schools and communities.

At Shining Hope for Communities, home to our partner, the Kibera School for Girls, Kibera residents pay up to ten times more for water than those in the capital city of Nairobi. Kibera residents’ unclean water supply takes a disastrous toll on the city’s health. However, we can’t forget that hope is right in Shining Hope for Communities’ name!  Shining Hope is rejuvenating its community by providing Kibera’s largest single water point.

The Clean Water Project is in its pilot phase, but already provides 12,000 people per day with clean water. How does this impact the community? The Justin-Jinich Community Clinic is now better poised to prevent and treat waterborne, infectious diseases. Shining Hope sells clean water below the market price so no family is cutoff from access to clean water. In addition, the water tower profits will be used to help fund the Kibera School for Girls.

Shining Hope for Communities’ Clean Water Project unites the Kibera community in developing a sustainable model to ensure that this basic human right—access to clean water—is met. In collaboration with The Safe Water Network, Newman’s Own Foundation, Nairobi City Council and David Engineering Ltd., this truly is a community-based project. There’s an inextricable link between access to clean water and girls’ education. Shining Hope for Communities proves that by bringing water to a community, the ripple effects are tremendous!

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The More That You Learn, the More Places You’ll Go!”

Students at the Kibera School for Girls at reading time

Students at the Kibera School for Girls love reading time!

When I asked the directors of our She’s the First partner schools which books their students liked to read, I had no idea that I’d find myself saying, “That was my favorite book! I remember that one . . . and that one too!” I never would’ve guessed that young students in Nepal and Kenya love Charlotte’s Web or Ella Enchanted as much as I did in elementary school. What I wasn’t surprised by was the students’ absolute love of reading.

At the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya, all students have time set aside everyday for reading. Girls in 1st-3rd grade enjoy daily reading time in either the classroom or in the library.  The students also take turns reading aloud to the entire class. Some of their favorites are the Amelia Bedelia series and Frog and Toad. The pre-K and Kindergarten students love to listen to their teachers read Miss Wishy Washy and Elmo books. They also have plenty of time to practice their reading and look through colorful picture books.

Libby Doyne and Kopila Valley’s English teacher wrote that their students “can often be seen with their noses in a book at recess!” Even though the students read at the library everyday, they can’t get enough of their new favorite book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.  Their teacher said, “They even yell out to read faster when time is running out because they want to find out what happens before the bell rings.”  Some of the students even take the book home to read it again and again.  A few times a year, older students help teach their younger reading buddy.

These stories reminded me of Dr. Seuss’ quip, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!” In writing this post, I was amazed to learn just how far my favorite childhood stories have traveled. Years ago, my friends and I used to giggle over Shel Silverstein’s silly poem “Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too.”  Now, girls in Nepal are pouring through this same book, maybe even smiling over the same lines I did.  The joy that I found, and that you found too, in learning to read is the joy that our young generation of girls is discovering right now.  From the lines of #VoiceYourVerse poetry to a poem nestled in the well-worn pages of Where the Sidewalk Ends, you, me, and young girls thousands of miles away are united by the joy of learning.

Kopila Valley students' favorite new book!

Kopila Valley students' favorite new book!

Posted in Reporting on Directory Partners | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

It Takes a Village: Nepal and Kenya

 

Marty working with the children at the Kibera School for Girls

Marty working with the children at the Kibera School for Girls

 

 

As I read about the ongoing activities of our She’s the First partner schools, I’m reminded of the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I originally imagined this saying applying to the school founders, board members, teachers, community supporters, and students living and working in Nepal, Kenya, Ethiopia – wherever our partner schools do the incredible work they do! However, I’m noticing a trend that gives new meaning to this phrase. The “village” I originally conceived isn’t limited to local boundaries or lines on a map; it spans the globe! Everyday, I read about the relationships that our partner school founders foster with family and friends their homes in the United States.

Jessica Posner, cofounder of Shining Hope, was recently joined by her former middle school principal, Marty Caplan, in Kenya.  After reading about Jessica’s work with the Kibera School for Girls, Marty and his wife Arna volunteered their combined 70 years of teaching experience to develop math curriculum for Kibera’s girls!  Marty secured new “Math in Focus” curriculum for the students and is also developing a reading recovery program. He and his wife have been training teachers in Kibera for the past two weeks! The couple said, “We have fallen in love with the Kibera community. The teachers are bright and very receptive to learning new methods. The children are so impressive. Working with them cannot help but make us smile.”

Maggie Doyne, founder of Kopila Valley Children’s Home in Nepal, is constantly updating her blog with visits from family and friends.  For four months, Maggie’s cousin Julia worked and lived side-by-side with the students.  Her mother and father have devoted so much love and attention to the kids of Kopila Valley as well. Maggie’s uncle Ed worked for three months as “Mr. Fix-it” at the school. The children know Maggie’s sisters, aunts, and other close family members.

These are just a few of the countless examples of “villages” that transcend classroom walls or city gates.  She’s the First is part of these growing villages too! Together, we form an intricate network of support and love; we’re committed to raising a generation of girls who are the first in their own village to share a gift that keeps on giving – an education.

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Can a Cupcake Do? Let Us Tell You!

Fun with Footprints at the Kibera School for Girls

Fun with footprints at the Kibera School for Girls!

This week, the famous She’s the First cupcakes will be tasted ‘round the nation. As many of us, myself included (!) prepared for a week of colorful cupcakes, maybe you found yourself being asked by your peers, “Why cupcakes? Why girls’ education?” As a researcher for She’s the First, I hope to show you just how much your cupcakes can do by sharing with you some updates from our partner schools.

At the Selamta Family Project in Ethiopia, the ten girls that started a small business have closed up shop temporarily for the school year. However, they had a booming hair braiding business throughout the summer and plan on reopening during summer break! The students began the school year by celebrating the Ethiopian New Year and are now in the full swing of school. A week ago, She’s the First*{Pitt} hosted a fashion show and raised enough to sponsor a girl at Selamta. Congrats Pitt!

Between a morning adventure to Kahkre Vihar, visits from Maggie’s uncle and cousin, birthday parties for Birendra and Madan, and of course lots of studies and learning, Kopila Valley Children’s Home in Nepal is also buzzing with activity! Other exciting news is that there is 99% chance Kopila Valley will soon have its very own well. For more information on this phenomenal story, read on here. To continue the good news, Kopila Valley is featured on the new documentary Opening Our Eyes: The Movie. More congratulations are in order! Watch the trailer here.

And now on to the Kibera School for Girls – also a burst of sunshine in my updates. A new microfinance group, comprised of KSG mothers, is flourishing. If you’re interested in the budding businesses, read on here. The girls have also been immersed in a “My Body” science class and are having lots of fun learning about footprints. The Kibera School was also featured in the New York Times last month in Nicholas Kristof’s article “Just Look at What You Did!” This article is a must-read!

So, can we use these little cupcake treats to make a world of difference? Of course! Our directory schools are doing absolutely incredible things; one cupcake at a time, we can spread the sweetness!

Posted in AfricAid's Kisa Project, Kibera School for Girls, Kopila Valley Children's Home and School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summertime Fun at the Kibera School for Girls!

A sunny day at the Kibera School summer camp!

As thousands of girls across America pack up and head to camp, girls at The Kibera School (KSG) in Kenya are also having their summer camp fun!  With dancing, sports, drama, art, and reading, summertime clearly doesn’t mean downtime for the 67 girls currently enrolled at KSG. Students aren’t the only ones taking part in the summer learning. Teachers at KSG are receiving professional development workshops held by visiting teachers from New York City’s Chapin School, a private girls school in Manhattan.

Earlier this summer, the girls also enjoyed a day at Nairobi’s National Museum!  Thanks to the generosity of two Shining Hope supporters, the girls were able to see exotic animals, splash around in the paddleboats, and cool off with tasty ice cream– it was an incredibly exciting day for all. Previously, in March, the girls learned about the science of weather on a visit to the Kenya Meteorological Society. To keep up to date with the girls’ summer adventures and learning, follow the Shining Hope for Communities blog!

 


Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Another Vivanista Contest Victory…Thanks to You!

As the semester winds down and the stress of Finals Week kicks in here at Syracuse University, receiving word that STF*{Syracuse} had another success in a Vivanista contest was a major bright spot.

Mbithe Pius (m-bee-thay - but the "th" is hard, almost like a "D")

The contest, Vivanista’s Flash Fundrasier competition, challenged seven college campus teams from across the country to plan and execute creative fundraisers held within a 48-hour period. (We held a benefit concert to raise money to sponsor Mbithe Pius at the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya…and we raised enough to educate her for a full year!) The group that raised the most money would be granted $1,000 for their charity of choice.

Stanford University’s Bowl-A-Thon for the American Cancer Society raised almost $1,000 and received the additonal $1,000 grant. (Congrats, Stanford!)

But the fun didn’t end when the fundraising was over. Vivanista asked each group to submit a video recap of their fundraiser.  The videos would then be judged based on creativity, social impact and spirit.

However, the “most creative” award was also vote-based. And thanks to YOU, our wonderful supporters, our video managed to garner the most votes!

Thanks to everyone who tweeted, re-tweeted (#FlashFundraiser!), posted on Facebook or simply told their friends to vote for us. It’s no secret that leveraging the power of social networking is critical to She’s the First’s success.

She’s the First*{Syracuse} shares the victory with all of you, and expresses our gratitude to Vivanista for sponsoring another great contest. We enjoyed participating and encourage you to check out the other schools’ videos on the contest page.

 

Posted in Kibera School for Girls, Syracuse University | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lunchtime Around the World!

A few days ago, I came across a fascinating photo gallery of school lunches from around the world.  As I browsed through the lunch trays filled with kimchi in Korea to smoked mackerel in Slovakia, I began to wonder what our She’s the First students eat during the school day.  I wrote to the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya and the Selamta Family Project in Ethiopia to see if they could provide me with a glimpse into their typical school lunch.  They both happily agreed!

At the Kibera School for Girls, the girls have three different lunch options throughout the week. Lunch is served in addition to breakfast porridge and a piece of fruit after school.  Some days the girls dine on sukuma wiki, a savory mix of kale, onions, tomatoes, and spices. The dish is topped off with ugali – a Kenyan paste that to the young students’ delight, is eaten with their hands. Other days, the girls eat beans and rice or githeri, a corn and bean dish. Leah Lucid from the Kibera School for Girls wrote, “The students love lunchtime, and also love brushing their teeth afterward with their personal toothbrushes!”

Lunchtime at the Selamta Family Project

Dorowat, a spicy chicken stew, is the favorite meal of students at the Selamta Family Project. A typical lunch consists of injera, a sour flat bread made from a Teff grain.  Students then break off the injera with their hands to eat wat, a spicy stew made with the traditional Ethiopian spice, Berbere.  Most lunches are vegetarian and consist of lentils, chickpeas, and cooked vegetables. Occasionally, students dine on lamb, chicken, and beef.

What was your favorite school lunch? Tweet your answer to @shesthefirst or tell us in the comment section!

Posted in Kibera School for Girls, Selamta Family Project | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunny Times at the Kibera School for Girls

Love from the Kibera School for Girls!

Since the new term began in January, the students at the Kibera School for Girls have enjoyed their new classes, art projects with their parents, and their first celebration of Valentine’s Day!  Valentine’s Day was a huge success, complete with homemade cards and delicious treats. The festivities continued in March as parents were invited to join their daughters for a day filled with arts and crafts.

The girls are fascinated by the Meteorlogical Center!

The students at the Kibera School for Girls also had a whirlwind adventure at the Kenya Meteorological Society! A few weeks ago the girls had the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in their most recent science unit on weather. After spending a month learning about cloud formations, temperature, and how to track weather changes, the young girls were fascinated by the hands-on experience with professional weather instruments. To keep up with the girls at the Kibera School, you can read more about their activities by following the Shining Hope for Communities blog.

 

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Greetings from She’s the First*{Syracuse}

Hello from Syracuse University! Did you have an inspiring International Women’s Day?

Fittingly, the SU chapter of She’s the First held a meeting on the special occasion, and it was a great one! We welcomed new members Arianna, Yohanna, and Yuki, and came up with some new fundraising ideas. We also discussed the details of our benefit concert, which we hope to hold in conjunction with Vivanista’s Flash Fundraising weekend.

Kibera School for Girls

In the weeks leading up to the concert, we’ll be tabling in our student center, posting fliers around campus (we already have some designs), and searching for the best and brightest musical acts that Syracuse has to offer (trust us, there are plenty!).

In addition to all of this planning, we celebrated our victory in Vivanista “Parties With a Purpose” contest by choosing the Kibera School for Girls as the beneficiary of our prize money.

We closed out the meeting by recording a video message for all STF supporters!

Posted in Syracuse University | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mbithe Pius

Meet Mbithe Pius at the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya. Mbithe just turned 7 years old in November, finished kindergarten with a fantastic report card, and started first grade in January 2012! She loves math, the color red, and dreams of being a teacher when she grows up.

Mbithe’s kindergarten schooling was sponsored by STF*{Syracuse} and the amazing concert they threw for the Vivanista Flash Fundraiser Competition. Now, her first grade year has been sponsored by the 2011 Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off!

Click below to enlarge her bio, report card, and beautifully decorated letter to learn more about her!

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to send a message to Mbithe, please leave it in the comments below. We will collect them, send to her, and update here when she writes back! (Please note, this can take several months due to infrastructure issues in Kenya.)

Posted in Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sumaya Ramadlen

Meet Sumaya Ramadlen, a member of the new Pre-K class at the Kibera School for Girls.

Sumaya is 5 years old and her birthday is September 21st! She is a member of the Nubean ethnic group in Nairobi. Now that Sumaya is enrolled in school, her parents will have the opportunity to attend new parent classes at Kibera as well. The whole family can begin learning together!

If you want to leave Sumaya a message, you can comment below. We’ll collect them and send them to her, and update here when she writes back. (Note: This can take up to six months, due to infrastructure issues in Kenya.)

Posted in Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A new letter from Mbithe!

This just in! Updated photos, report card, and a beautifully decorated letter have arrived from Mbithe Pius at the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya. Mbithe just turned 7 years old in November, finished kindergarten with a fantastic report card, and is starting first grade this month!

Mbithe is sponsored by STF*{Syracuse} and the amazing concert they threw for the Vivanista Flash Fundraiser Competition.

Click below to enlarge her bio, report card, and letter!

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to send a message to Mbithe, please leave it in the comments below. We will collect them, send to her, and update here when she writes back! (Please note, this can take several months due to infrastructure issues in Kenya.)

Posted in Kibera School for Girls, Miscellaneous | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Makesh

Meet Makesh, a first grader at the Kibera School for Girls in Kenya!

Makesh is only 7, but already she is a leader at school. Whether she is leading the group in a song or showing her outgoing personality, the younger girls really look up to her. Makesh’s teachers tell us she is unique, with a sassy personality like none other. She loves to dance and sing, shake her hips, and bob her head!

This story from a volunteer at Kibera School for Girls describes Makesh’s personality to a tee: “The volunteers and I were walking out of Kibera, and Makesh ran up and held my hand, saying her house was on the way. When we got to Olympic, I asked where she lived – she blushed and giggled and said, ‘about halfway back to the school’, meaning she had walked all the way just to walk with us.”

Makesh is incredibly bright, loves to read and write, and is determined to learn! She can constantly be heard exclaiming: “Wow! Kibera School for Girls is the BEST!”

If you want to leave Makesh a message, you can comment below. We’ll collect them and send them to her, and update here when she writes back. (Note: This can take up to six months, due to infrastructure issues in Kenya.)

Posted in Miscellaneous, Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment