The books the Otterbein students collect are needed more urgently than ever with an increasing fail-rate among the students at Tenri school.   Last year, only two out of fifty students in grade 8 passed exams required to attend high school.  Huruma Director Aloys Kamwithi comments on the necessity of the Operation: Education program, “with this library project, Huruma is trying to help save the village from ‘imminent’ educational death.”

For more information about how you can donate books to Operation: Education, visit http://www.huruma.org/work/books-to-library.php.

Stateside, several pallets of books (an estimated 1,500 books in total) have been collected and are already awaiting shipment from the United States.  The need for books, however, continues, as HURUMA is only about halfway towards filling a 40′ shipping container.  Once received in Kenya, the abundant supply of books will provide an exceptional source for knowledge in an area devoid of books–even in its schools.

In addition to serving as a library, the new literacy center is also expected to be an educational facility for 18 children, ages 4 to 10, expelled from school due to poverty, jiggers (an infestation of the skin by sand fleas) and lack of school uniforms.  ”[The children] do not need uniforms to learn how to read and write.  We are operating outside the box,” said Aloys Kamwithi, Huruma Director and Founder.

For more information on the project, or how you can donate books, please contact us.

“[This] exchange of information . . . will be the beginning point of improving the academic performance of Gakwegori School,” said HURUMA Director Aloys Kamwithi.  Until now, many residents of the village have not be exposed to computers and even books are rare.  This opportunity will allow for a more abundant exchange of information.

None of the public schools in Embu, where Tenri School is located, have any computers; many of them do not even have running water or electricity.  This stark comparison shows the magnitude of the educational crisis going on the village. ”Huruma is doing something; work for change has begun,” says Kamwithi.

Below is a sample of letters exchanged between Doris in Kenya and Sean in the USA:

From Doris to Sean:

Dear Sean,

How are you?  I hope you are fine.  Am doing quiet well here at school.  I am ten  years old and am a girl and am also in class four.  I wish you are doing well in your school.  We have done our result of pre-end exams and I am number three with 21 marks.  I am doing well in school.  I obey our teachers and parents.  I am a good pupil.  In our school we do exercise like swimming, sports, computer.  I like swimming and computer so much.  We are closing our school on 30th of March.  In our class I am like a giant because I always top.  I am obedient, honest and a politely girl.  When am talking I use polite language. I am a God fearing child.  I obey his commands.  I learn five subjects eg:  Mathematics, English, Science, Kiswahili, Social Studies and CRE.  I also learn Japanese language like hono is nose.  Kakimasu is to write, yomimasu is to read and other good things in our school.  In our school we have clubs like drammar, and bible club.  We also have scouts.  I enjoy my school.  I love it so much.  I wish you the best time in your school.  Hoping to hear from you.  I wish to meet you.

From your lovely pal, Doris

From Sean to Doris:

Dear Doris,

It was so nice to hear from you. When I last wrote to you it was cold and snowy.  Now the weather is hot and it is like you need water every second.  What is the temperature in Embu?  In one week it is my birthday I just returned from a 10 day break.  I whatched my big brother because he was sick.  I hope he feel’s better.  In school we are getting ready for a test.  The whole state of Ohio takes it.  We’ll take a reading and math test.  Do you take big test?  I can’t wait to hear from you again.

Sincerely, Sean

Am happy to inform you that some kids from Huruma group have been given responsibilities due to their high discipline and their capabilities. In the year 2010 we have :

1. Kenneth K. M. (grade 7) as a school head boy
2. Margaret N. (grade 7) as a school head girl
3. Charles N. (grade 6) as a school bell ringer
4.  Kittim M. (grade 1) as a class prefect

To me those were good news as they were announced while we were in the church service yesterday and they were prayed for as leaders in the Tenri community. It was the same day I was made to understand that Huruma Kids are the most well behaved kids in the school.

Greetings from Tenri Community here in Embu.  It is my hope you are doing well this New Year.  We want to thank you for your continous support towards the education of all the children under the Huruma Rescue Mission.

I am happy to note that this being the second year of working with Huruma Children I have noted a lot of positive growth in all of them.  Remember, when they came early January last year, all of them had problems in communicating as well as good grooming.  It is encouraging to note that currently you cannot tell the difference between the HURUMA children and other children from financially endowed family…. It is the joy of every teacher when you see that, the daily effort and commitment from all stakeholders is changing the young ones attitude towards life.  We look forward to even more promising growth this year.

Last year, our school did quite well in the KCPE exams registering a mean score of 347.80.  The school was ranked number 5 out of over 200 schools in larger Embu District.  Our school is young because this is the third time it was posting candidates for KCPE but the ambitions and target are very high.  We look forward to bettering these results with our current STD 8.class.

Thanks for your support and concern last year as we look forward to the same in the new academic year 2010.

—Marinah Pierrah Njoki,
HURUMA Field Coordinator
from an email sent 08/11/09

I am deeply grateful for all that you have done for me so far. I promise I will work hard in my education at the university…and your investment in me will bear fruit. Not just for me, but also to people around me in Kyeni and the nation at-large. I intend to work hard and also help others around me and do volunteer service.

My brother is still at home. I pray that he goes back to school sometime in September before his admission is terminated.”

—Victor, age 21
Daniel Family Scholarship recipient
from a letter sent to HURUMA 08/06/09