Skylar Goes to School In Africa

The schools in rural Kenya are so very different than the schools in North America. Each school has its own uniform, so no one has to worry about what outfit to wear, what brand their jeans are or whether they will fit in. Children only need to be neat and clean, and wear some sort of footwear. The classrooms have open windows for air conditioning and two to three children sit at each desk. Classes are taught on chalkboards painted on the wall and there are no signs of computers or electronics in any of the elementary school rooms. Yet surprising enough the children seem happy! How could a young man educated in the Canadian education system even begin to relate? To answer this we needed to visit a school in the Bungoma community. Fortunately we were able to connect with Kibabii Academy, who invited us with huge enthusiasm to visit their school. Loaded up with soccer balls, pencils and crayons we hired a taxi to drive us out to the school, where the head mistress greeted us with open arms. This also would not happen in Canada, where everyone visiting a school needs clearance just to enter the school. Kibabii Academy is a private school in Bungoma County for children 3 to 10 years of age. We had arrived just in time for tea (approximately 10:00am) and the children were anxious to get outside and play, but first they would entertain us. Forming a circle the older children led the group in several songs complete with actions. To say the least, the children were absolutely adorable! Once they were done it was a made dash to the outhouse, then to wash their hands and grab a cup of hot tea before they started to play. pushing tires around the yard, playing tag or simply sitting, watching and giggling at the wazungas (white people). The soccer balls were a great hit. One for the boys and one for the girls. Within minutes the children had taken off their shoes and were charging around the yard after the balls. Apparently it is easier to run in bare feet than encumbered by shoes. Several weeks later I met one of the parents, who told me how very happy she was that we had visited the school. Her daughter had been full of stories of the people from Canada who visited their school and brought them gifts.