Farewell to Jamii

The farewell program at Jamii was probably the highlight so far for all of us.  Each class presented something a little different but all within the theme of the armor of God.  So much dancing, singing, and joy on each of their faces. We loved seeing them dressed in the different armor pieces that they created the week before.

Teacher Veronica and her class presenting their song and memory verse.  I helped in her class which is the Top Class, equivalent to our Kindergarten.  Below is Teacher Polly's class.

Esther led many of the songs.  Her voice is so tremendously powerful we were just awed.  

Teacher Kariuki led his class 5 in a traditional African dance complete with costumes they made.  

At the end of the program, Esther and Basilus had each of the team members come up one at a time to thank us.  Then it was time to leave.  Lots of tears.  It was very difficult to say goodbye to all these beautiful children and their dedicated teachers. 

This was our view from the bus as we were leaving.  

Overall our time iat Jamii was both heartbreaking and inspiring.  Our medical team saw 600 people in 3 days.  Although many lives were touched and many needs met,  it comes with the realization that there is so much more to be done.  

The teachers were so appreciative of the training we provided, but it always seems so short.  They are asking if we can come for a week in the future, so that our training is not so rushed.  We barely scratch the surface and they are craving more tools to reach these children, especially those who have experienced some kind of trauma,...which is most of them.  Abandonment, food scarcity, violence, ...they have seen it all, and the teachers deal with these issues every day. 

For the majority of these children, the only food they eat is the snack and lunch provided by Jamii through the feeding program funded by Kizimani.  I learned that because of additional donations made to Kizimani this year, Jamii was able to feed the teachers lunch as well, which for many of them has been their only meal as well.  The teachers of Jamii only make about 45 dollars a month, which is so little compared to government sponsored schools.  Yet inspite of this, their students score near the top of all schools in their zone.  Teacher Polly's class of second graders was in fact, the top class in the entire zone on their end of year exams.