Friday, May 30, 2008

Kambi School Classrooms Open


5/30/2008 (entry by Joe)

At Kambi Primary School in Naro Maro, Kenya, there now stands two new classrooms which are the pride and joy of this rural east African village. Until these classrooms were built the primary school operated out of converted barn where plenty of daylight shines though the gaps in the boards which comprise the barn walls.

The classrooms were officially opened at a dedication ceremony held March 15, 2008 attended by a WI Kenyan safari group led by Andy Walz who also served as the financial manager of the classrooms project and Tennis and Life Camp staff member Emily Walz who organized the fund raising efforts at the camp. Emily taught at the school this past winter as part of her study abroad program affiliated with the University of Minnesota. Both Andy and Emily were honored at a special ribbon cutting ceremony attended by almost all the village residents along with all the student body and school staff. The emotions were high as keys to the clean and bright new classrooms were handed over to the school's principal with an audience which also included the workers who designed and built the classrooms. Students from each grade performed music and dance routines adding to the festivity of the event, and then were anxious to utilize the new buildings. The classrooms are an amazing gift. They are greatly appreciated and will be a gift which keeps on giving for generations to come.