Vote of Thanks from Kambi's Headteacher

Please read this vote of thanks from Kambi headmaster Gladys Waceke. Gladys is true champion for the children Kambi and we are blessed to have her working on this project!

Master Plan in the Works

9/30/2012 (post by Emily Walz) - “Karibu!” We were greeted with a warm welcome from the Kambi Primary School community. It was great to be back and, like always, felt like a joyous reunion of friends and family. One of the students hugged me with such energy I was nearly knocked over; her smile took over the entirety of her face and I was reminded, yet again, of the value of this project and the gratitude for it from the Kambi community.

  Strategic planning...what will Kambi look like in 10 yrs?

I’ve had the privilege of seeing the Kambi Primary School renovation project at each stage of its progress and getting to know the students, faculty, and families. I recently visited Kambi in August 2012 with a small group of MN teachers with the intent of finalizing the plans for the rest of the renovation project and building a collaborative partnership between Kambi and MN teachers. We drank tea and had a meeting with the school board members and the headmaster; the drawings for the project were laid out and we discussed how best to design the school to meet the needs of the students and community.

Mwalimu Gladys discussing the plans.

The headmaster, Gladys, is a very impressive woman who has done wonders for the students of Kambi. The students’ love and respect for her is obvious as well as her care for each one of them. As a teacher, I am continually awestruck with this school and what they accomplish with so few resources. When I find myself wishing for better books, resources, or technology in my own classroom I am reminded of the academic rigor and dedication to education I have witnessed in the Kambi students and staff who have far less. Through their dedication and the improved learning environment made possible in the completed stage of the renovation project, the Kambi students progressed yet again and recently achieved the highest test scores in their district!

Camp with Ngong Road, Round 2

9/2/2011 (entry by Andy Walz) -Visited Kenya in August again. Kambi Students are performing exceptionally well. Began work on master plan for school. Plan is to finish this before building anymore classrooms. Kambi students were welcomed to back Ngong Road Holiday Camp held this year in Nakuru town and Roots Academy. This year we took students on safari to Nakuru National Park, it was another great success! Check out more photos here:

NRCA Holiday Camp - Aug 14-20

Kambi School hosts Ngong Road Holiday Camp!

9/15/2010 (entry by Andy Walz) - Kambi School hosts Ngong Road Holiday Camp! It was huge success. Children from Nairobi instantly bonded with Kambi students and everyone had a blast. Activities included hiking to Mau Mau Caves on Mt Kenya, safari in Sweetwater Sanctuary, and constructing a tree nursery. Check out these three albums of pictures:

Books, Musical Instruments, and Supplies... ASANTE SANA!

6/18/2010 Special thank you to the following people who donated, collected, and helped transport an unprecendented amount of books, musical instruments, and classroom supplies for the Kambi School last month.This amazing effort has jumpstarted the Kambi library and brought joy and resources to hundreds of kids. ASANTE SANA!
Scholastic Books contributed boxes of books to start a library
Capstone Press contributed boxes of books to start a library
The following donated materials or made donations for the purchase of more books and classroom materials:

Earl and Renee Miller Dick and Mary Lane Frank Fried Nancy Wenkel Mary Holt Gary Griffith Micky Ferguson Mary Ellen Brown Gerrie Lane Sharon Gondek Mary Meyer

U of MN Rec 5301 Class transported all the materials, stamped, inventoried, and added some of their own. Thank you!

Classroom 3 & 4 Complete!

5/2/2010 (entry by Andy Walz) - Classroom 3 & 4 are complete!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who contribute money to make this incredible feat happen. Thank you especially to Muthoga and everyone on the ground who put it so many volunteer hours...it just wouldn't happen without you!

Wilderness Inquiry Partners with Ngong Road Children Association and Kambi to Host Summer Camp

3/15/2010 (entry by Andy Walz) - We are going to host a summer camp at Kambi! WI is partnering with the Ngong Road Childrens Association to serve about 210 kids from the slums of Nairobi and 40 from the Kambi community. We need volunteers! Check out:

www.wildernessinquiry.org/ngongroad