There were those set up as business and obviously catered for kids who were fortunate enough to have financial backing. But most did not have that ability and parents banded together and formed groups like those at Muriet. Churches also took the responsibility to set up nursery schools like the one at Nkwakiringa. Most of these small schools were unfunded and the teachers were just volunteers with no skills other than a love for the kids and a willingness to do the job.
You may laugh at the young woman at Malula who worked with kids in the godown there. She was teaching the kids [as we went in to deliver slates and chalk] the kids song 'Old MacDonald had a farm.' Most nouns have a vowel on the end in Kiswahili, and she was teaching 'Oldi Macdonaldi 'e ad a frami.' Sure she was teaching the kids the wrong words but she was doing her very best and the kids were in a learning environment, learning those necessary social skills and learning to sing and even write. We gave her as much support as we could.
Later the government made a ruling that for entry into primary schools, it was mandatory to attend a pre-school so the whole situation was more formalized and the teachers had to more formally trained and qualified. While the transition has been slow and there are not enough building or teachers, some of the older system carries on today, but that thing 'change' - some of those first teachers have been made redundant.
You may laugh at the young woman at Malula who worked with kids in the godown there. She was teaching the kids [as we went in to deliver slates and chalk] the kids song 'Old MacDonald had a farm.' Most nouns have a vowel on the end in Kiswahili, and she was teaching 'Oldi Macdonaldi 'e ad a frami.' Sure she was teaching the kids the wrong words but she was doing her very best and the kids were in a learning environment, learning those necessary social skills and learning to sing and even write. We gave her as much support as we could.
Later the government made a ruling that for entry into primary schools, it was mandatory to attend a pre-school so the whole situation was more formalized and the teachers had to more formally trained and qualified. While the transition has been slow and there are not enough building or teachers, some of the older system carries on today, but that thing 'change' - some of those first teachers have been made redundant.
The way to carry tree in the village
The KKKT, DME parish of Nkwakiringa housed the Nursery School under the watchful eye of the very good volunteer teacher. A tall, lean young woman who had to walk some seven kilometers from her home.
We could not visit these churches without being fed. This is the Meru way where they feel they must do something. There would always be bites with a cup of tea (the milky, sweet kind) and later would come a very substantial meal.
We tried and even Loti tried to respectfully request a cup of tea only, or something small, but that did not really happen. We would lose time because the kitchens were fires and the cooking pot(s) sufaria sitting on three stones. And so it is not like 'putting the kettle on' it takes longer to cook things. Most importantly though the cost to the parish and individuals was high. On the other hand the food was delicious and we liked it very much. I called the rice given to me 'Mlia Meru', Mount Meru because it was a huge mountain of food! And they really did enjoy putting it on for us.
The teacher was quick to ask us for help to start a small tree nursery, partly as an activity for the children but also to raise much needed funds. The day we arrived with materials for the nursery, a man turned up who wanted to volunteer to be in charge of the tree nursery. Now that was a surprise. He was the father of of one of the wee kids who had told him of our visit. Who says kids don't know much and don't talk to their fathers?
This fellow was keen to learn all he could about tree nursery work and led the kids well. We supplied the necessary materials - rolls of polythene tubing, chekecheke to sieve soil, a shovel, watering can and of course seed. They brought in the soil and dry cow manure - easy that really, just ask the kids to bring it from home in a korai [and carried on their heads].
The tree nursery worked very well and measuring its' success compared with others is not all that fair as this one had a good supply of water. Having said that, the work had to be done and it was. We always called in to see them as we passed [which was quite regularly] and usually the guy was there and there were no weeds and the plants were growing well. The other good thing was that they were easily able to sell their trees plus we supplied a few extra for them to sell and one each for each child to take home.
It was really good because we could take 'big noises' there because it was just a short trip in real terms and they could see a good project and the kids would always sing which was a quick way to the heart of anyone. Here are some reps from MFAT and another vol.
We could not visit these churches without being fed. This is the Meru way where they feel they must do something. There would always be bites with a cup of tea (the milky, sweet kind) and later would come a very substantial meal.
We tried and even Loti tried to respectfully request a cup of tea only, or something small, but that did not really happen. We would lose time because the kitchens were fires and the cooking pot(s) sufaria sitting on three stones. And so it is not like 'putting the kettle on' it takes longer to cook things. Most importantly though the cost to the parish and individuals was high. On the other hand the food was delicious and we liked it very much. I called the rice given to me 'Mlia Meru', Mount Meru because it was a huge mountain of food! And they really did enjoy putting it on for us.
The teacher was quick to ask us for help to start a small tree nursery, partly as an activity for the children but also to raise much needed funds. The day we arrived with materials for the nursery, a man turned up who wanted to volunteer to be in charge of the tree nursery. Now that was a surprise. He was the father of of one of the wee kids who had told him of our visit. Who says kids don't know much and don't talk to their fathers?
This fellow was keen to learn all he could about tree nursery work and led the kids well. We supplied the necessary materials - rolls of polythene tubing, chekecheke to sieve soil, a shovel, watering can and of course seed. They brought in the soil and dry cow manure - easy that really, just ask the kids to bring it from home in a korai [and carried on their heads].
The tree nursery worked very well and measuring its' success compared with others is not all that fair as this one had a good supply of water. Having said that, the work had to be done and it was. We always called in to see them as we passed [which was quite regularly] and usually the guy was there and there were no weeds and the plants were growing well. The other good thing was that they were easily able to sell their trees plus we supplied a few extra for them to sell and one each for each child to take home.
It was really good because we could take 'big noises' there because it was just a short trip in real terms and they could see a good project and the kids would always sing which was a quick way to the heart of anyone. Here are some reps from MFAT and another vol.
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