Written by:
8/3/2011 12:18 PM 

What a wonderful visit my husband, Dave Whalen, and our son, Emmett, recently had at the Jubilee School. It was finally their privilege to go (...and our family's 3rd visit.) They traveled to Kenya in July with other family members (Mark Glueck, my sister, Kady's husband: his 2nd visit and their family's 3rd visit...and our sister, Margaret's husband, Frank Owens and their daughter, Audrey...their family's 1st visit!) Needless to say, they were welcomed with great enthusiasm by the children and incredible graciousness by the faculty, staff and Fr. Symon. What an honor it was for them to meet the children...for Emmett and Audrey to be able to go into the classrooms and engage with them...and for the entire traveling party to be able to attend an assembly at the 2nd Term's end that recognized various achievements by the students and that some family members in the nearby communities also attended.  To be able to partake in the spirit of the Jubilee School community was a special experience that will stay with each visitor for a very long time to come.  Emmett and Audrey were so impressed with the kids' dedication to their studies...and how they regarded their opportunity to attend the Jubilee School as a great gift, to be respected with their utmost effort. There was also lots of soccer (known as football to the children) played and to Emmett's surprise, a mini tutorial in Tic Tac Toe. Audrey indulged in teaching anyone who was interested in how to 'High Five' along with organizing the children to be photographed for a proposed School Yearbook that is in the works.  Although some were shy at first, especially the girls, there was a wonderful feeling of family by the time the visitors departed.  

Narok was an interesting town to observe the comings and goings in daily life and Fr. Symon did take the visitors over to see the University of Nairobi - Narok Campus that is in the process of being built. A former student of Fr. Symon's from the Boys High School in Lemek, who now works in the University's Administration, was eager to show them all of the facilities, including the dormitories...should any college students we know of be interested in establishing a Junior Year Abroad experience.

Dave was delighted to see how the Jubilee Campus has continued to evolve, based on photos he had seen from my previous visits.  The Dining Hall, which also serves as an Activity Hall, is a marvelous addition, that accommodates the entire school of pupils...especially now that the incredible cargoload of school items shipped earlier this year were in evidence everywhere they looked.  Fr. Symon also told Mark G. that more items were still in storage, primarily some science equipment and the entire Elementary School Library of books that were shipped, but have not been 'unpacked', because Fr. Symon would like to take the time to oversee that activity.  

The Two New Teacher's Houses on Campus, furthest away from the Principal School Buildings (Classroom, Dorms and Dining)were also visited, with Dave inquiring about the remaining foundation for the last one that remains to be built. They are such an incredible benefit to the school, as they help ensure being able to hire the best teachers, who want to be right nearby, and who appreciate the amazing housing opportunity.  That they are so well built and can accommodate families makes them even more attractive...and a highly unusual feature of the school.

It was also interesting to step inside the fully occupied Boys and Girls Dormitories. Fortunately the children delight in their own 'personal space'...tiny as it might be! Awards for who kept the tidiest dorm rooms were among the Recognitions given by Fr. Symon at the Assembly.  Imagine the excitement when as a prize, Fr. Symon handed out bars of Irish Spring soap! Yes, I am not kidding when I tell you that everything is appreciated by our lovely students at the Jubilee School...

As many of you know, Fr. Symon remains in Kenya at the moment, overseeing the final construction of the two new dormitories, one for Boys and one for Girls, that were started when he was there in January/February.  With the ever expanding number of students, particularly next year in January, when we will intake another group of 3rd graders and establish our 8th grade, it is probable that we will have 200 students fully matriculated at the Jubilee School. This underscores the necessity for more Dorms. One of the unexpected aspects to our school is the very clear demand for Elementary Boarding. We originally thought there would be more interest in day scholars attending than there has been..which is fine, because we are meeting such an important need for those children in remote areas of Maasailand. Thus, we hope to have the new Dormitories, which will then make four dorms altogether: 2 for boys and 2 for girls; fully operational by January 2012, when our fourth School Year will begin.

After several days at the Jubilee School the visitors traveled to the community of Ewaso, where a number of the school children come from.  It was so interesting to see a much smaller Maasai community (than Narok town) and to attend Mass, where Fr. Symon was celebrating in his native Maa and Kiswahili.  Ewaso had been a community he ministered to a long time ago, and one where he still has many strong relationships. The Mass was a true celebration too...with a great deal of singing, color and culture added to the occasion.  Again, the visitors were received with great warmth and hospitality. Dave told me that one of the highlights for him was when, during the Offertory, rather than pass a basket for giving, those in the Congregation who are able to give, proceed up to the basket before the altar and place their offering in it. That is, unless one's offering is a live goat, which happened to be the case the day they were visiting. Then the person just walked the goat up to the altar, acknowledged that it was his offering, and led it to the back of the church for after the Mass when the parish priest would gladly accept it. Sometimes, things really are different than at home!

Well, I've written plenty for the moment. I am excited about getting some of the many photos my family took, on-line, but that may take a little while given how we have to coordinate from various cities. But we will try to get some up very soon...we want to share our excitement with many of you who continue in your unfailing generosity toward the school, and more importantly, toward the Jubilee's precious school children. Thank you for your time and irrepressible goodwill. Asante sana!

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