End of the Year Activities

As in the United States the final weeks of the school year are filled with many extra activities. Of course there is the academic side with final examinations. However, students and teachers alike have a multitude of additional responsibilities and celebrations.

Click here to see some photos of these special activities.

When the Form IVs (seniors) complete their KCSE examinations they leave school. Most of them left about a week ago. Depending upon their elective classes, some had to stay about a week longer to take their last exam. There is no such thing as high school graduation.

The faith based groups held a special banquet to honor the Form IVs before they left. John and I were invited to the Young Catholic Society (YCS) end of the year banquet. As is typical of most Kenyan celebrations there was a Chief Guest invited to speak, cake and a complete meal served afterwards.

Form I, II and III students at both St. Anthony’s and St. Monica’s finished their end of term (finals) about a week ago. Report cards are to be sent home with students on the day that school is dismissed. That means teachers must have the exams marked (graded) so the report cards can be prepared. At St. Anthony’s the report cards are prepared by computer, but that is not the case at St. Monica’s. To give teachers time to get the exams marked, special activities are planned to keep students busy, active and out of trouble.

One of the tasks done by students is the harvesting of maize (corn). Schools try to grow as much food as possible to feed themselves to cut down on the boarding costs. Casual labors are hired to do the planting, weeding, and cutting and stacking of stalks. The students then take the cobs off the maize stalks and carry the corn to the store where it is kept until needed.

St. Anthony’s organized football (soccer), basketball and volleyball tournaments. St. Monica’s was only football. Each class played the other classes to determine the Form champion. Then the champions from each Form played to determine a school champion.

St. Anthony’s choir also prepared and held a Christmas concert. We were hoping to go, but it didn’t work out. John was so surprised when they asked for the words to Jingle Bells. They have no concept of our cold and snow. We understand they also sing Frosty the Snowman!

Of course there is thorough cleaning to do: desks, classrooms, dorms, grounds, etc. Students are allowed to leave their metal lockers at school in their dorm during the December holiday, but everything must be locked inside.

The final day they hold a Closing Assembly. At the Closing Assembly they recognize top students.

Kenyan Baby Shower

John was unexpectedly invited to a baby shower about a week ago. Here is his story . . .

I decided to go to school on a Saturday to mark exams and work with the basketball team. I had been marking for awhile when the head of the English Department stopped by and asked if I wanted to go to another teacher's house. She had twins in August and they were going to greet the newborns. We traveled to the shower with six adults in a compact car. Yes it was crowded, but that is the Kenyan way to travel.

We started off with some songs in Swahili lead by the female agricultural teacher. Next we had a scripture reading from Psalms about family and home followed by a prayer. Then there was another song of gratitude. The mother gave a prayer of gratitude for us coming to visit.

The main attraction followed. The twins were brought out for all to see. First, some of the ladies dressed the babies with new clothes which we had brought. Then we sang and danced as all got to hold them. I think I impressed the others by the way I was able to get one of the babies to smile. Finally, we had one last song. I noticed that during the song a person’s name was said and then they got up and did a quick jig. So when I heard my name I did likewise. Of course everyone chuckled at my dance.

I have learned you do not go to a Kenyan's house without eating. We had a full meal. Two kinds of rice, three kinds of chicken, fish with the head attached, beef, seasoned meatballs, three different kinds of vegetables, boiled eggs, boiled eggs wrapped in meat, plus other dishes. While eating I was told that I did not eat enough. Kenyans stuff themselves at gatherings until they can eat no more. Then we had a break but were served a choice of fresh mango or passion fruit juice. We visited for a while until dessert was served. It was fresh fruit and ice cream. The fresh fruit was so sweet I commented about sugar being added. I was told that if you cut pineapple at the right time it is very sweet. Many of the teachers went back for more ice cream. Most do not have refrigeration in their homes so frozen treats are a very special treat to them.

It was a great experience. It is always good to meet with coworkers away from the school setting. It was fun to see them interacting with one another and I was grateful to be included. The experience gave me more insight into their culture. I wish I had my camera so I could have taken some pictures!

Vivan's Community

I wrote an earlier blog entry about circumcision. It is extremely important event in the lives of most Kenyan boys as it is a symbol of entering adulthood and initiation into the tribe. Many of my girl students attended circumcision ceremonies during August. December is the other month of circumcision for adolescent boys.

Many boys are usually circumcised at one time. During the circumcision the boys are not allowed to cry out or flinch to show that they are truly men.

After the circumcision is done the boys rest and relax for a period of time. During this time they are taught the tribal history and traditions. The mothers of the boys cook a lot of food for their sons so the boys can gain strength. The boys don't do any chores that they normally would do until after the period of rest is over.

A couple of weeks ago my students interviewed a classmate. What follows in a composition based upon one of these interviews.

Vivian’s Community

Vivian is a very beautiful and intelligent girl. She comes from the Gusis community. She truly loves visiting there because she gets to see all the cultural practices, hear family members speaking their language and the way the community members conduct themselves.

Furthermore, she enjoys eating the traditional meals, buying food stuffs on her way back home at cheap prices, seeing the physical features around the area, feeding the fish at her grandmother’s place and above all to meet her long distance relatives and friends.

Her community’s village is located at Nuamira. Their ancestors had decided to settle there because of the fertile soil. They had also settled there because they once fought with the Kiporgis community many, many years ago. They had been pushed where they decided to settle down and make it their home. She truly loves the place.

In her community there are many elders. The elders are called “Thatha” and are respected very much. Their work is mainly to solve disputes in the community, circumcise, conduct marriages and give initiates new roles. The elders also bless newborn babies.

The community members also practice the rite of circumcision whereby boys are the ones circumcised. During the circumcision ceremony, the boys are taken to the river in the early morning hours. Then mud is applied on them before being circumcised. After the ceremony, the initiates are separated for about three or four weeks. After the separation time a big celebration is done. Presents are given to the initiates and they are given new roles in the community. Vivian loves and is very proud of her community together with her people.