The Children

if only i could post photos...

started my research project - integrating environmental issues in kenyan education. its part of the syllabus, but most of kenyan education is done in a workbook, so we are trying to expand environmental education by having kids to artwork, poetry, dance as well as doing things like planting and caring after their own trees.

the first day we met with all of the teachers during a meeting that started predictably late and went predictably (very) long - the lady in charge said they were running on "africa time". we got a to ask the teachers a lot of questions. my basic assessment of kenyan education policy is:
- there isnt enough money
- kids have too many other things to care about - few incentives to go beyond primary school because few jobs they could get require it
- the carriculum is really outdated and boring
- teachers tend to be generally enthusiastic (as do the kids), but sort of lack know-how

thes second day we visited schools. hordes of cheering kids run up to foreigners and shake their hands (and once piggy-back rides start, your in for an hour at least...), offer their names, ana ask questions about america (are their theives? is professional wrestling real [actually, a teacher asked me that], do you have pollution? do you like obama? did you have to drive in an aero-plane to get here?])

it cannot be understated how cute (and ego enhancing) such interactions are - just imagine if all the excitement a class of 1st graders would show towards a child-tv-show celbrity was directed at you!

i planted trees with a bunch of the kids - i picked out one of the little kids - mwagi - who was getting picked on and another girl - anna - who showed the most interest in the environment. ill be returning next week to make sure they are watering their trees...

private school classroom size: 15-16 . public school classroom size: 50-70.

very inspiring, very fun, very, very tiring. visiting about 3-4 schools a week-day for the next couple of weeks.