New Project Establishes Roots - Ruuju Primary School
Submitted by: Colleen Walton and Mary Driscoll
February 10, 2006
Arriving from Canada, we never really know exactly what to expect with a new project. Being hopeful*, we wanted to see digging and construction during our stay. We soon discovered that considerable groundwork was first needed to clearly define roles and responsibilities of the project partners - the school and FHF. As with any group, relationships had to be established, confirmed, and reworked to a point where we were all feeling comfortable; a time consuming process but critical to the success of the project (any project in any country!) A project delivery plan was created in consultation with FHF volunteers that included FHF financial commitments, the necessary school/community commitments, and logical start and finish dates for the various activities (eg. water tank installation, garden preparation and fencing, and vegetable planting). The old adage “PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN” was foremost in our minds.
A parents meeting was held to outline the help needed to deliver the project; of 120 families 102 were represented at this meeting – the highest recorded attendance in the eight year history of the Joseph, the Headmaster. Parents were asked to commit to tasks such as provide manure, assist installing water tanks and harvest crops. It was unanimously agreed that the project partnership was a ‘good thing’ for the community; and so the project was officially launched!
Damaris, a local horticulturist, was hired to grow crops and train students to grow new crops. Students and parents assisted in clearing land for a vegetable nursery and large vegetable garden. Fencing the garden, installing gutters and water tanks, building the corn crib and planting the maize and bean crops, with proper inputs and management, are all ambitiously planned to take place before the March rains. Registration for the school 4K (4H) club is taking place as write.
It was inspiring to witness these hard-working and deserving families come together, and is exciting to imagine the benefits this project will bring to their health and welfare.
* Exerp from “A Guide to Kenyan Vocabulary” Sunday Nation Feb 5,2006
By: Sunny Brindra
HOPE: And finally, a word that means what you think it does. And how! For whatever happens here, we don’t lose hope. We are amongst the poorest nations on earth, but we aim for the stars. Everything can be in disarray, but we will not forget to smile and look forward. That is one of the defining features of Kenyans: we believe things will get better. We may be led by those who denude us, but that’s no reason to be down. Amidst all the car-jackings and collapsing buildings, we see a better future. This belief is what sustains us. And when leadership emerges that can channel this unique energy, we will make the leap into sustained prosperity. We will. In the Kenyan breast, hope does spring eternal.
February 10, 2006
Arriving from Canada, we never really know exactly what to expect with a new project. Being hopeful*, we wanted to see digging and construction during our stay. We soon discovered that considerable groundwork was first needed to clearly define roles and responsibilities of the project partners - the school and FHF. As with any group, relationships had to be established, confirmed, and reworked to a point where we were all feeling comfortable; a time consuming process but critical to the success of the project (any project in any country!) A project delivery plan was created in consultation with FHF volunteers that included FHF financial commitments, the necessary school/community commitments, and logical start and finish dates for the various activities (eg. water tank installation, garden preparation and fencing, and vegetable planting). The old adage “PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN” was foremost in our minds.
A parents meeting was held to outline the help needed to deliver the project; of 120 families 102 were represented at this meeting – the highest recorded attendance in the eight year history of the Joseph, the Headmaster. Parents were asked to commit to tasks such as provide manure, assist installing water tanks and harvest crops. It was unanimously agreed that the project partnership was a ‘good thing’ for the community; and so the project was officially launched!
Damaris, a local horticulturist, was hired to grow crops and train students to grow new crops. Students and parents assisted in clearing land for a vegetable nursery and large vegetable garden. Fencing the garden, installing gutters and water tanks, building the corn crib and planting the maize and bean crops, with proper inputs and management, are all ambitiously planned to take place before the March rains. Registration for the school 4K (4H) club is taking place as write.It was inspiring to witness these hard-working and deserving families come together, and is exciting to imagine the benefits this project will bring to their health and welfare.
* Exerp from “A Guide to Kenyan Vocabulary” Sunday Nation Feb 5,2006
By: Sunny Brindra
HOPE: And finally, a word that means what you think it does. And how! For whatever happens here, we don’t lose hope. We are amongst the poorest nations on earth, but we aim for the stars. Everything can be in disarray, but we will not forget to smile and look forward. That is one of the defining features of Kenyans: we believe things will get better. We may be led by those who denude us, but that’s no reason to be down. Amidst all the car-jackings and collapsing buildings, we see a better future. This belief is what sustains us. And when leadership emerges that can channel this unique energy, we will make the leap into sustained prosperity. We will. In the Kenyan breast, hope does spring eternal.
posted by Admin at 6:17 PM
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