Here is an appeal from Sarnia Guiton, a former colleague at Rudolf Steiner College, who writes to us all from Nairobi, Kenya, where she is now supporting what she calls a ‘rescue’ school for destitute local children. Here are Sarnia’s words and her request for your support:
I eventually retired from my position at 79, and re-located to Kenya. I've been here for nearly 4 years now and although some things can be challenging, I have no regrets. The people are lovely - all heart. The climate is easy.
There are 3 Waldorf schools here in Nairobi and another near Mount Kenya.
The Nairobi Waldorf School and Waldorf Woodlands are here, typical private schools requiring tuition, and the Rudolf Steiner School Mbagathi (RSSM), https://steinerschoolmbagathi.co.ke/.
This is the 'mother' school of East Africa, which I call a rescue school since it takes in destitute children, with over 25% of the children boarding because they have no home and no one to care for them.
I'm involved with the Mbagathi School, initially working to get sponsors for the children and now involved in several other projects as well, Handwork support being one of them.
This ‘rescue school’ has been managing on sponsorships and donations since 1989, and now serves over 400 children, including some with no safe place to go who are in the boarding facility.
The school cannot pay its teachers well, but they stay for years because they love the school and the children and are willing to sacrifice their own comfort. The school is a joyful place; you can feel it when you walk onto the campus. The children smile at you and greet you and, with food in their tummies and caring teachers and, for some, loving boarding parents as well, they are happy.
The Handwork teacher’s name is Rose and she’s doing the very best she can but... you can imagine. We need to cover the extra hours for an assistant for the year. The school year in Kenya starts in January and ends in December.
Rose really needs two assistants, but we can start with one – there’s only one with the necessary skills at present. A Canadian Handwork teacher is coming in April to train others who are interested.
We do one thing at a time.
Can you help Rose and the children she is trying to teach?
If you are able to support Rose, a fellow handwork teacher, please use this GoFundMe link:
Thank you for your support!
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