Written by: Barbara Burke
9/20/2009 12:35 PM 

I'm sorry I've not had the time to write...It's been a very busy summer...in part because my son, Gilbert, and I, together with my brother, Patrick Burke, his son, Adrian, my brother-in-law, Mark Glueck and his daughter, Julia, all visited the Jubilee School and enjoyed a wonderful trip to Kenya during July, 2009. Upon our return there were various things that needed tending to...so I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and properly summarize our travels...and finally, have decided that perhaps I should post a nice article Gil wrote on August 3rd, 2009 for the meantime, on my blog.  So, here it is, news from Gil, who is my 17 year old son, now beginning his senior year of High School in Providence, Rhode Island:

We found the students, workers and faculty of the rapidly expanding Father Symon Ntaiyia Jubilee School all in high spirits during our July trip to Narok, Kenya, and we return to America with only good news to report following our campus visit. On the day of our arrival, we were welcomed with open arms by 115 eager students waiting outside for us as we caught our first glimpse of the freshly constructed school and dorm buildings; both topped off with glimmering red roofs visible from the main street of Narok. As we emptied out of the car the sound of a hundred voices shook us from our jetlag and quickly made us feel at home, “You-Are-Welcome, Visitors!”

We are happy to report that the school has been filled with determined students who never missed a chance to tell us how much they love their new school.  At a young age, these students understand that their desks, books, classrooms and teachers are all invaluable resources which are not to be taken for granted. They take their studies seriously, and they treat their teachers with great respect as they eagerly absorb lessons from behind their brand new desks in their brand new uniforms. They approach school with a positive attitude and a unique resourcefulness that we experienced firsthand on our trip. A defining moment came when we witnessed Joseph, a third grade student, chase down a large paper bag on the playground and proceed to his classroom to make book covers out of it for himself and his classmates. This small act perfectly demonstrates the powerful sense of community that has already developed at the school, complemented by the brilliant faculty Father Symon has recruited to provide his students with a first rate education.

Adding to the excitement of the already busy campus is the steady construction of the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Dining Hall. We were fortunate enough to lay the foundation of this new building, and we are proud to report that under the watchful eye of Father Symon, the Dining Hall is being built at a rapid pace. The students will eat their meals in the Hall and will also be able to perform on a small stage located near one end of the building. The Hall will be almost as large as the two-story, eight-classroom building next to it, and it will be the center of campus activity once finished. In addition, we witnessed the initiation of the recently completed fresh water well, which will provide valuable water not only for the children and faculty of the school, but also for the surrounding community. The new well is a triumph in a country that is often challenged by drought, and it serves as yet another sterling example of Father Symon’s commitment to assisting his people.

It was a privilege to spend time in Narok with all the wonderful people who make Father Symon’s School the special place that it is. To know that the school is the product of the generosity of friends and family who believe in the power and promise of education is remarkable. The school has already touched hundreds of lives, all thanks to faith invested from thousands of miles away. It will ensure that the children across the world we grew to love in a few short days will receive the education that they deserve, and it will make all the difference.

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