— Liberty School
Brooks
After an awesome week in Kakamega, we then traveled onto Kitale…all in Western Kenya. Kitale is a second home for us in so many ways, but most importantly, because of John Wanyonyi, Director, who we met in 2009. When we heard what he and his wife were doing in a village not far from Kitale, we just had to see it for ourselves. There he had gathered a handful of volunteer teachers and about 40 children, most of whom were hungry and all of whom were not able to attend school due to lack of funds. Many of these children had lost both parents and live with a grandmother who is able to provide for them on a very limited basis, often living in one room with as many as 8 children. John's mission was and continues to be to provide for these children, not only physically, but educationally, spiritually and emotionally giving them an environment of love and dependability such as they have never known. Through the past five years, God has done more than we thought possible. Today Liberty School sits on property that is theirs, has many classrooms, houses over 60 students, educates 312 students.
This past year has been particularly difficult, as many of you know, because of John's motorcycle accident. Poor guy, he has really, really been through it. He has had multiple surgeries, intense physical therapy which involves driving an hour and a half to get to and from and is in constant pain. We were relieved to see firsthand the progress since the last time we were here. John is now walking with ONE crutch and although not completely healed, everyone around him assures us of how much better he is doing. We are in awe of his determination and focus on not himself, but the well-being of the school. Through it all he has managed to run an entire school…staff, parents, students, deal with the governmental issues and work with countless children to bring them into a trusting, loving relationship for the first time in their lives.
Three hundred and twelve children will never be the same because of your prayers, your time, your concerns for a tiny, small village in a remote region in Western Kenya. Children who would barely acknowledge my presence when they first came to the school now timidly acquiesce to my hugs and smile willingly when I ask for a photo. Love truly does conquer all.
Just a window into our time in Bikeke Village, Liberty school:
These are most of the 22 most vulnerable of the older boys who are attending the school. Today they are able to be boarded at school, where they are safe, warm, cared for, educated and participate in a discipling program. For these boys coming into a place like this is purely voluntary…they want an education, they want the family atmosphere that has been created here…they begin to trust and believe that God loves them and has something for them other than the life they have seen and known of such loss and abuse. We are so grateful for the beds, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets that were donated last year. For many of these kids, it's the first time they've ever slept in a bed.
Little ones playing a game with the stones in the center.
We were so happy to be able to be a part of a Parent's Meeting and also the celebration of two new classrooms' completion and ready to open next week. Only a few years ago we were able to be at a parents meeting and there were just a handful of parents present. To now have this much participation and interest in education is a huge accomplishment. Before many parents saw little need for education as they themselves are mostly illiterate with little schooling. Ever so slowly, but intentionally, John is bringing them along to not only send their kids to school but also be involved in financially supporting their children's education.
These are the most vulnerable of the especially older girls attending the school. All of them are now able to board here at the school, where they are protected, nurtured, clothed, and fed. With GREAT excitement they told me all about their new beds and bedding…and even mosquito nets! This is a first for them.
Seriously, does it get any cuter than this?????
Grandson Kevan prepared and was able to take to the classes a flannel graph story. The kids were enraptured!!!!! To have a teaching aid like this and then to have a White American kid teach…all of that combined was a real treat for them!
This is John, the Director. We are talking to one of the students who boards at the school because her home situation is so horrific and the grandmother is not able to support or care for her. John is explaining to me that she is one of the best students academically even though she has little eyesight in her right eye. He is hoping that her sight can be helped by wearing glasses.
Once a year I have the students who are sponsored write a letter to their sponsor. This is Beatrice. Right now there are 35 sponsored children. The sponsors who participate in helping one student actually help 180. Each of the children who is living in a very, very poor situation (probably with a grandmother who earns maybe 100 ksh per day – less than $1) is fed a nutritious meal. All children in Kenya are sent home at lunch time to be fed by their parents. Each of these 180 children would go home to nothing. For many this is their only meal of the day. The school now has 312 students. We would consider ALL to be in such a situation by our standards, so I'm glad it's not me who has to decide who is living in the most devastatingly poverty-stricken situations. However, it is very gratifying to know that these children without Liberty School would probably not be attending any school, much less eating every day.
This grandmother takes care of SEVEN children in the tiny, one-room, first house in this photo. The father died, the mother is a drunkard and abandoned all of the children. The eldest child, a girl, is a boarder at the school. All of the children are now attending school and being fed each day.
Another grandmother who houses her grandchildren. These two grandmothers find work going to a neighbor's field to plant or weed or harvest. They are paid $1 a day for their efforts. Because of our visit, she is dressed in her best dress and borrowed furniture and coverings to honor us.
Some of the older girls who board hanging out after school.
…and one of the many beautiful moms….
Thank you all for praying for this school in a remote village in Western Kenya. The vision is alive and well. We are so grateful for John who birthed it long before we came along. God has been faithful, and we all agree with John, when he says, "Jesu anaweza!" Jesus is indeed able!!!…and doing more than we could think or imagine in the lives of these little ones.
