Lessons from Kenya

I spent the last 2 ½ weeks in a rural Kenyan village doing humanitarian work with Kenya Keys (www.kenyakeys.org). Their mission is to provide educational opportunities for children in a specific geographic district that contains 3 secondary schools and 7 primary schools. Tuition for secondary (high) schools are not paid for by the government so parents must raise about $350 per year to have each child attend secondary school. This is a difficult task in a community where most families are sustenance farmers.

Through generous donors, Kenya Keys sponsor about 120 secondary students, along with a few university students. In addition, they have built numerous classrooms, libraries and even latrines for the schools. A local Kenyan board determines who gets scholarships and what projects get done among the many, many requests.

My primary purpose in going to Kenya was to provide leadership training for the school administrators and head teachers. I also wanted to see the work of Kenya Keys first hand, and toured many of the schools, even teaching a few classes while there. The workshop I facilitated had 32 participants and the outcomes were way beyond my expectations. The participants were highly engaged and left with a strong desire to share what they learned in their schools, homes, and community.

As much as I was there to teach, I learned much more from the Kenyan people. Here are some of the lessons I learned:

• If basic needs (food, water, shelter, safety) aren’t met FIRST, it is difficult to learn.
• Children can be VERY happy without the trappings of “modern” society – maybe even happier.
• Knowing that you have options, opportunities for a better life, can be very motivating.
• You find GREAT leaders everywhere, even out in remote villages of Kenya – leaders who inspire, encourage, and love those they serve.

Thank you Kenya Keys, and the people of Kenya, for this wonderful experience!