Ilmerijo
Our next stop was at Ilmerijo Primary school. Above, Wangari is outside the front entrance.
I first came to Ilmerijo in 2021. At that time, there were only three classrooms and a shed being used for a fourth one. The school was new at that time and had no funding. The government will form a school, but typically (and inexplicably) won’t start funding the school until the school proves it can survive. When I visited, they had no food for the morning snacks. They only had room for 4 classes, even though a primary school should have 6 plus a couple preschool grades. They hadn’t been able to pay the teachers due to lack of funds. The only reason the teachers kept showing up is that if they quit, they’d never get paid and may not find another job.
My first interaction regarding the school came as we were planning my agenda for classes in 2021. I got an email from Virginia asking how old a girl had to be in order to attend the class. I asked for details. There were 7-year-olds who were afraid to walk to and from school due to the risk of assault on the way.
A number of our friends stepped up for Ilmerijo. People started sponsoring several of the kids there. The way it works out is that it only takes maybe 10% or 20% of the kids being sponsored to keep the school afloat. In addition, volunteer money built a kitchen for them. Unfortunately, there was still no food. For many kids, the first reason they will attend school is to get food that day. They often don’t have any other options and school provides their only meal of the day. So another friend, Teresa, sponsored a porridge program.
The school is now thriving. The kids are happy. They have built 4 or 5 new classrooms to round out the full primary school structure. The government is helping and other parts of the facility have been greatly upgraded.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your sponsoring time and money is doing any good, this school is a real success story. If it hadn’t been for the generous sponsors, this wouldn’t have happened, and the school likely wouldn’t have survived.
Below is the newly landscaped front yard of the school and, in the distance, the new gate.
Above, the schoolyard, with added classes on the left. The water tank is also new. Below are the Class 6 kids. Notice some are still sharing desks.
We held a class for about 25 mothers of kids from the school. This was an outgrowth of a small class we did in 2021 for four of the mothers and a request for more. We have taught classes for the girls but should probably do it again, due to the growth in the school population.
About 8 of the mothers in attendance also brought younger children, from infants to toddlers. They would often be holding the infants or have them strapped to their backs. Below, one woman handed her little girl to Claudia to hold while she took the class. Claudia was more than happy to oblige.
Below, I’m working with a woman who has her child strapped to her back. Similar to the nursing mothers at Mathare, we work with the mothers where they are. Having her baby on her back won’t stop the attackers.
After the class, the school held a ceremony for us, with performances in poetry, song, and dance from a few classes and individuals. There were some wonderful performances. I’m sure it was meaningful for Sarah and Wangari, who had only been involved in performances like this from the kids’ side previously, if then.
After the performances, the school presented some great gifts to Claudia and me for our specific support and work with the school. Claudia got the Maasai cloth wrap below, as well as a beautiful Maasai beaded necklace, and sandals. I got a beaded belt and a traditional beaded scepter. It was an honor that surprised and touched us both. Claudia is below with Elizabeth, the school Director.
