Kilimani Continues to Captivate…

Beyond the immediate scope of the VIP partnership, exciting things are happening school-wide at Kilimani under Headmaster Wasike’s leadership.  Here are a few of the highlights:

a.     An Occupational Therapist is now employed at the school with funding from Sense International, servicing students 2x/ week in the Deaf/Blind Unit for therapies. 

b.     Mary Maragia, Deaf/Blind Unit director, is hosting trainings for students, parents, and families in beading and entrepreneurial crafting. (See photos and let us know if you are interested in purchasing any of their crafts!)  

c.      A full vegetable garden (about 100 yards in length) behind the Deaf/Blind unit provides vegetables for Kilimani students’ lunch and is maintained by a part-time gardener and students with disabilities.

d.     The pool is fully functional!  All Kilimani students (with and without disabilities) receive swimming lessons 1x/week.

Mary showing us some of the crafts created by students and parents.

The vegetable garden (photo showing only 1/2 the length)

Student-made bracelets, wallets, handbags, tissue cover, napkin holders.

Mary showing us instructional materials purchased with VIP funds.

The pool newly restored!                                          

Isn’t this exciting?!  In order to continue this great work, we have identified some needs that we thought our community at large may wish to help support:

Kilimani School & VIP partnership needs:

1.)  There are 6 students in the Deaf/Blind Unit who are inconsistent in their school attendance.  $25/ month would pay for transport to school for each of these students.   If you would like to sponsor a student, please let us know!*

2.)  $35/ month will provide greater bandwidth of wifi connectivity in the Digital Hub and guarantee success with our VIP penpal exchange.

3.)  In order to increase the exchange beyond written correspondence, a donation of a webcam, USB microphone, and a printer could further the scope of the VIP partnership.  Two members of our new team at Kilimani will be visiting Boston in April 2015 and again in July 2015 and could transport these items back to Kenya safely.      

4.)  We brought student participants into the team meetings and asked what would be motivating to them as they participate in the VIP partnership.  They had some great ideas about establishing a technology club, as well as having quarterly “Kilimani VIP Tech Luncheons”.  Similar to our Henderson school-based publishing parties, four times a year, we would like to provide the Kilimani students with a special lunch celebration at the cost of $60/ luncheon.

5.)     A one-time cost of $1,400 would allow Kilimani to purchase a JAWS license for 3 computers (2 for visually impaired students to use in the computer lab and 1 for blind/ hearing impaired students to use in the deaf/blind unit).  This is the same software that Dr. Henderson uses to access digital information independently.  Small contributions can add up quickly!

6.)   $85/ month would pay the gardeners salary to care for and maintain the garden, providing fresh vegetables to all of Kilimani’s children.* 

7.) Crafting supplies for Deaf/Blind Entrepreneurial Trainings are needed.* 

     * Currently, Kilimani teachers are personally providing for these needs.  Similar to our American classrooms, teachers personally supplement and are always appreciative of contributions! 

Upon our return to the States, we will be setting up a “Payoneer” account with Bank of America and will let you know more details about how to make tax-deductable contributions if you are interested.