Hope for Education (pictures)

PREPARING FOOD 

Because the Children were at school all day for the Welcoming Event for Lynn and her group we provided them with lunch. They typically receive porridge. For some this might be there only meal. Today they got Rice Pilau and the cooks made sure each child got one piece of meat.

Neema Peeling Carrots - The bucket (front,center) is full of rice. It is scooped into the flat woven dish and any hulls, stones or bad pieces are removed and thrown on the ground. The neighborhood chickens acted as clean up crew. I helped with the rice cleaning and found that my perfectionist tendencies could  have delayed the meal by hours.

Bisura adding the spices to the Rice Pilau.

Decorating the Tent - Because there was no ladder, the tallest teacher was recruited to hang the decorative fabric. She is standing on a chair on top of a table. One inch shorter and she would not have reached the top.

Joseph as Master of Ceremonies

Lynn (Far Right) and some of her group

The Children Performing

BATIK DEMONSTRATION

Maulida

The Upper Level Class - These Children will be the first students to attend the Minnesota Academy.

MINNESOTA ACADEMY - DEDICATION & BLESSING OF 1ST CLASSROOMS

From Left to Right - Jovin (Nie& Jonas' son), Jonas, Evan's father (he started the Kili Climbing company Lynn hikes with), Pastor Nixon (Lutheran Minister), Fr. Bahati (Catholic Priest),  Lynn, Joseph, Eric & son (Eric is Jonas' nephew as well as Lynn's Kili guide - He introduced Lynn to TAFCOM.) 

 Inside the Classroom - 2 of the 3 stolen windows

 Fr. Bahati & Pastor Nixon

Fr. Bahati - Blessing the Grounds & School with Holy Water

 Group Photo

 View of Kili from Minnesota Academy

Me & Diana (one of the tailoring students) As we were leaving I noticed her shirt and explained that OSU was where I went to college. So, of course, the photo op!

HOME VISITS

Hendry & Grace (18 months old)

 Jasmine with her Toilet Paper tubes

Rehema's Children (the 2 youngest are HIV+)

Veronica (passed away April 2014) She is wrapped in one of Lee Ann's college blankets and wearing a pair of reading glasses I gave her.

Rehema's Housing

Pasua Housing - these are the conditions the poorest families live in. Floors are dirt. There may be a very small window. There is no electricity and many times the family has to walk a distance to the water station. Outhouses are often communal.