During the past four days our seventeen volunteers made a huge difference in the life at Kisima. But, the children and teachers still are in need of so many things.
The dormitories still do not have enough bunk beds and the small children sleep three maybe four to a mattress.
Two mornings a week they only have tea for breakfast, meat once or twice a week, one egg a week, one piece of fruit a week and rarely any vegetables.
While we did bring some school supplies, their lesson books were in tatters. There are no drawers in the school desks so there is no place to put their things. They are in need of text books appropriate to their age and grade level.
Monday was our final day to finish the projects and make whatever last minute purchases we could.
A few volunteers took up a collection amongst themselves to combine with previously donated funds to purchase mattresses to replace the worn out ones on the existing bunk beds. Because Sarah and I were still in Kitali town purchasing shoes for the kids, I missed the opportunity to photograph one of the safari vans returning with fifteen mattresses--some in the van and some tied to the top.
Shoe shopping.
Fresh cut lumber was delivered from the "timber" yard so a bookshelf could be made for one of the classrooms. The original plan was to build one for each classroom but we ran out of time. And, everything took time. The school only has a few hand tools and getting materials is difficult since they have no vehicle.
This photo shows a moment of frustration when the hard green wood proved to be almost too much for the hand saw. Soon after this shot, the saw broke.
When I went to the play yard to photograph the newly installed swings and volleyball net a group of boys followed. They love to pose and have their pictures taken. They were wearing new t-shirts that were overruns from a US conference.
In this photo the swings are taped to the bars so the kids won't use them before the concrete sets.
After this shot, they said, "one more, one more" and lead me to the Kisima sign.
It is painted on one of the small cow dung buildings that currently serves as a storeroom.
While in the vicinity, I caught this photo of one of the boys pumping water from the well so the other kids could get a drink.
I also walked to the front gate and saw the line of families still waiting to come to the clinic. During our stay, the medical team saw close to two hundred individuals from the community.
Waiting outside the clinic.
Later in the day it was time to distribute the last items that were brought--knit caps for the boys. One might ask, "Why would caps be appropriate in that hot arid climate?"
The love them!
I mentioned that they liked to pose for the camera................
We made our preparations to leave.
But, not before the kids gathered in the courtyard for more songs.
Some of the teachers
and some of us.
As the sun began to set,
the students started to gather for the lowering of the flag.
It was now time to go but, not before Director Martin and his wife, Margaret expressed their appreciation for all that had been accomplished and the difference that has been made in these few days.
We drove out of the gates knowing we had made a difference but there is still much to be done.
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