The Story of Galilee Primary School

We are so excited to share with you a new documentary called Conviction.  Several months ago two American filmmakers, Nathan Devore and Travis West, traveled to Kenya in search of stories.  One of the stories they decided to tell was that of Fanuel Okwaro's work to build a center for academic excellence for the orphans and vulnerable children living in poverty in the slums of Nairobi.  Follow along to see how seeds planted some twenty years ago are now bearing fruit at Galilee Primary School.

We give our heartfelt thanks to Nathan and Travis for telling the story of the birth and growth of Galilee.

WHS Students Compete in Technovation Challenge

For the past three years, girls from Waddington High School have taken part in the Technovation Challenge.  The challenge requires participants to identify a problem in their community and create a mobile app solution that addresses the issue.  The challenge is open to girls from all over the world, and many schools in Nairobi are taking part.  The winners receive the opportunity to visit Silicon Valley in the United States and meet with leaders in technology innovation.  

Waddington High School was selected to participate because a former WHS alumnus, Leonida, was involved with the program while she was at University.  In Kenya, the challenge is sponsored by Safaricom Telco.

The linked YouTube video is the WHS entry, which describes a mobile shopping app that would allow shoppers to buy groceries online for later pickup or delivery.  The girls featured are (from left to right): Ruth Kavata, Michelle Okatch, Susan Wetendi, Victoria Akinyi, and Faith Mutheu.  The WHS team is coached by Madan Peris and Mr. Joseph.  

Additional information on the Technovation Challenge 2017 is available at www.technovationchallenge.org.  

Curriculum Update

Every few years the Kenyan Ministry of Education updates the books that are included in the curriculum for English and Kiswahili classes throughout Kenya.  Having a thorough knowledge and understanding of these "set books" is critical for Kenyan high school students as they are examined upon their comprehension of these texts on their KCSE examinations.  

Recently, the Ministry announced changes to the "set books" that children will be required to read in 2017.  The new texts adopted by the Ministry include the following:

English Texts:

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Memories We Lost and Other Stories compiled by Chris Wanjata

Swahili Texts:

Kigogo by Pauline Kyovi

Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine by Ken Walibora and Said A. Mohamed

Competition among publishers to have their books named as one of the "set books" is fierce in Kenya.  Publishers lobby relentlessly for their books because being named a set text guarantees huge book sales and a financial windfall for publishers.  There have even been accusations of corruption from publishers who feel their books were not given due consideration by the Ministry of Education. In recent years, the Ministry has also been under pressure to change set books less frequently in order make the cost of education in Kenya more affordable.

Fortunately for the children at Waddington High School, a donation was recently made which covered approximately half the cost of the required set books.  The teachers determine in which order the books are read, but each student will read all of the required books before they sit for the KCSE.

Sponsors of  high school students in Forms 3 and 4 may wish to ask them about their set book reading in their letters.  The Pearl, in particular, is easily accessible in libraries in English-speaking countries, and there is quite a lot of information available about the book online as well.