kenya project 09.

Mambo!

We have just completed our first week of teaching at Lake Solai Secondary School. The daily commute to this school takes over one and a half hours (in good conditions) over bumpy dirt. Unfortunately our average commute to Lake Solai has been significantly longer due to getting repeatedly stuck in the mud, three flat tires and a wheel falling right off our matatu on two occasions.

Our first classroom experience was something that I will never forget. Mercy, Courtney and I were working with the Form 4 students (grade 12) and while they were shy at first, became much more comfortable with us as the week progressed. They were so attentive and genuinely interested in learning (seeing as they were staying after regular school hours to listen to us). Courtney and I struggled with slowing down our speech to ensure that the students understood our strange accents.

The most thought-provoking and validating experience of the YESS/QHO project to date came when Mercy, Courtney and I read our anonymous questions from our first day of teaching. Unlike anonymous question boxes in Canada, we received relevant and intelligent responses from almost every student. Many students asked about misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, others asked for relationship advice, some were inquiring about condom use and one or two asked how to handle situations involving abuse. One student even discussed how some HIV-positive individuals felt discriminated against in their own community. Here are several questions copied exactly as they were written:

Is it bad to eat in the same plate with a person with HIV/AIDS?

I understand that HIV can be prevented by the use of condoms but I can not believe it. Please explain to me I need assistance?

Is it true that when infected person have sex with young lady get recover?

It seems evident that the students have so many questions to ask, but few resources that they are comfortable using to help them get the answers. After reading the questions, all the blood sweat and tears put into this project by every one of us became instantly validated and it seems like nothing in the world can be more rewarding than empowering these kids find the answers they seek. I’ll leave you on one of the funnier questions that we received:

Niaje Bryan could you please look for me a girlfriend from Canada? If yes, meet me at the gate there for more information. Thanks.