Written by: Barbara Burke
4/30/2009 7:31 PM 

We continue to receive very positive updates from all those involved with the Jubilee School in Narok. Nationally, most of April is a school break for students between trimesters, so our children have been back at their homes, hopefully sharing happy stories of what it is like to go to boarding school in Narok.  Their absence, however, has not slowed the pace of progress!

I'm not sure if I ever provided the final conclusion to the 'tale of the bore hole'...but it has an ending brimming with success. The water was analyzed by the gov't chemists and given an all clear for domestic use and we also learned that the well delivers about 5000 litres of water an hour.  This is terrific and one has to admit, worth the wait.  We will no longer have to pay to have water carted in, and we will be working with the engineering company to house the water tanks and also the pump and generator.  Father Symon is delighted with all of the results and eager to see the water being pumped from the well when he visits next.

Gideon, our Head Teacher, has been busy while the children are away, following up on a number of administrative details. He has been to the Ministry of Education and obtained the Certificate of Registration for the Jubilee School as a Learning Institute (school) and also successfully completed the Business Registration required by the Office of the Attorney General.  He has also filed an application in Nairobi that 'Rural Electrification' be considered for the area in which the Jubilee School is situated and we will keep you posted on the review process.  It may take some time, although by going directly to Nairobi, we hope there will be fewer 'costly roadblocks.'  Bringing electrification to the neighborhood would be a huge step forward, so we will adopt the 'slow and steady' approach for now.

One of our other teachers attended a Teacher Seminar nearby, that was offered by the Kenyan Government, during break. (I'm sorry I don't know her name.) Fr. Symon noted that there are often seminars offered during school breaks, to help teachers keep current, and that it is customary for many teachers to participate.

With respect to construction, the workers are now in the process of putting the roofs on the two dormitories.  All of the windows have been made (by hand, as before) and installed and once the roofs are on, plastering will begin.  Perhaps we will see students moving into the dorms sometime during this second term.  We hope to remain on such a productive path!  In addition to the Dormitories, the construction is also proceeding nicely on the Matron's House, including sick bays that will also abut the dorms. There will also be plumbing to finish, particularly in the Matron's House, that will require a bit more time.  

One final bit of very exciting news that we received earlier this month is that the Friends of Fr. Symon Jubilee School for Nomads received yet another incredibly generous donation, this time for the purpose of building a Dining Hall/Kitchen/Store on campus. This is an amazing development, in addition to the other amazing developments so many of you have so generously fostered. The thoughtfulness and kind spirit with which you have shared your blessings really is incredible and heartwarming.  Given the enormous benefit of a Dining Hall facility, Fr. Symon hopes to start immediately, by laying the foundation in July and moving construction right along.  Previously, we also received a wonderful donation to build a Teacher's House, which we have waited to do until the Classroom Building and Dormitories are complete, so we may consider laying that foundation at the same time in July.

Well, that's some of the news I have to share at the moment.  We certainly have so much to be thankful for...particularly all of you, who are so committed to providing the educational opportunities at the Jubilee School.  Thank you for your incredible generosity, compassion and belief that you can make a difference... 

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