Guest Speaker, Paul Armstrong  presented a report on the Kitenden School in Tanzania following a recent visit he and wife Marcia made also meeting up with Howard Hinde. Paul spent time in the classroom and observed the quality of the teachers and their skills. He was  highly impressed by the standard of teaching and their ability of the teachers to manage a classroom of 48 children all of whom were 4-5 years of age.

THE SCHOOL

• Marcia and I were accommodated in the new building – Howard had the more rustic option – a tent.
• Multi-purpose building with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining/lounge area.
• The Masai community leaders expressed their surprise that it was actually possible to have one building which incorporated each of these rooms.  Ie the combination of food preparation and hygiene incorporated in one building is completely foreign to them.
• It can accommodate volunteers who would pay for the privilege of being part of the community.
• Not a new concept as it is used throughout the third world in many situations including game parks and animal welfare organisations.
• The daily challenges in meeting the objectives of the programme.
• Much needed resources such as adequate
• Cups, plates, tables and stools, Exercise books for handwriting and mathematics, chalk, blackboard ruler, small blackboards for children, skipping ropes, paper for drawing and painting, text books for reading and writing and lesson plan books for teachers and African themed story books in both Swahili and English.

THE EXPERIENCE Our trip to Kitenden has reinforced our commitment to this extremely important and worthwhile project. It was very fulfilling to see the difference that can be made to a small child’s future for such a small sacrifice – $0.82/day or in most cases $0.54/day after tax deduction:- This meagre amount:- Not only teaches a child to speak and write two languages – Swahili and English. But it also provides much needed nutrition through the provision of breakfast and lunch each school day – a cup of porridge for breakfast and a very adequate serving of rice and beans for lunch.  These foods contain carbohydrate, protein and iron which are essential for brain development and therefore learning. Having spent time with the children, the teachers, the administrators and the families of this small community at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro we understand the importance of education in this highly job competitive country.  This is especially so for the Masai children of Kitenden who without our support will only ever speak their native tongue.  I commend this programme to all existing sponsors and future sponsors and on behalf of the community I pass on their thanks and appreciation to you all.  I emplore you all to “get on board” and make a real difference to a child’s FUTURE.