Some Final Thoughts From Wayne

Well friends, we arrived at Dulles after 19 hours of travel. Carroll greeted us with balloons and Roses!
Thank you for all the prayers and support of our trip. We greatly appreciate the encouraging and witty comments left by many on the blog. Thanks to all of you who helped in getting the trip together by donating items to take to the school, Carroll for constantly (before and during the trip) reminding me of all the things that we had to get done. Thanks to Bethany for setting up the technical aspects of the trip - furnishing the blog site, setting it up and teaching her father how to publish to it, furnishing a camera for me to use and leave with Patrick so that he can take and send pictures. Thanks to Carroll and Bethany for furnishing visual aids to be used at the Rotary presentation.
To summarize this trip: It was the fruits of many hard years of constant support and prayers of many faithful people. I hope that this is just one of many positive things to come for the school.
Kwa Heri (good bye) until Summer 2008,
Wayne

Mwallimu (teacher)

This entry is more a personal observation and one that has great meaning for me. During our dealings with the Kenya Rotary members both at their meetings and their visit to Mathare I noticed a change in their attitude toward Patrick. They were always nice and courtesty however as they got to know him and began to understand the nature of his work their respect increaseed. As they realized that he had given up one of the best teaching position in Kenya and took on one of the most underpaid and least appreciated positions in Kenya their respect increased. At the last meeting that we attended with the Rotary they referred to him as Mwalimu (teacher). This is a term of great respect especially when used by adults. The people of Tanzania referred to their first presendent as Mwalimu. As they began to understand the monumental task he has taken on and the success he has acheived both in the school and in the community their own commitment to the MCC was strengthened. I think that all of us have known and appreciated Patick's abilities, dedication and accomplishments in Mathare. It was good to see that after these years that he was receiving recognition from his peers and fellow countrymen.

Photos

The best way to view photos and read text below is to go down to the post that says Secondary School Students Form I and then go up reviewing in reverse order.

We had another very successful meeting with the Rotary this evening. We had requested on a few minutes to clear up a few details but were asked to stay for the entire meeting. We gave a short talk for the benefit of those not present last week. We then answered questions and discussed ways they could help.
No comments from Betsy as she had such a hard day teaching that she fell asleep when we got back from the meeting. However she did take the pictures and get the letters from the students which was no small task.
Wayne

Good Advice From a Young Student

Faith--Start this day with a deep breath, inhale all the love and goodness of God; exhale all the fears, worries and tears and have a fantastic day.

Trying to Make a New Future

Frances—Because of post-election violence, our house was burnt and my family of 6 –we were displaced—My mother is a single parent

Yet there is a Smile

Lydia—We have had many troubles here in Kenya and some of my friends have lost their parents.

Part of Maureen's Story

Maureen—The job that my mother does is washing clothes for those who are rich and her payment is daily is 50 schillings (75 cents US). One of my sisters was killed in the riots. We stayed for almost a week in our house without eating. I love school and the teachers at Mercy Care.