News from CK Montessori

CK Montessori Shares the Love!

On my recent trip to Tanzania, Africa I had opportunity to visit the Sluys-Anderson school in Sakila. Under the direction of Bishop Eliudi Issangya, the Sakila Sponsorship Program

provides schooling for children in Tanzania whose only other option would be the tuition-based government school that most families cannot afford. (At the government school, classes are often 120 or more students with only one teacher, making it nearly impossible to get an adequate education.) The Sakila Sponsorship Program begins funding each child in kindergarten and continues through the completion of seventh grade. Monthly or yearly sponsorship donations provide clothing, food, medical care, and education for these children. The organization is run completely by volunteers, so every dollar of donations goes toward the care of the sponsored children. These children are fed at the school and it was quite noticeable that they looked a lot healthier than the most of the other children we saw in Africa.

The children were delighted with our visit and even though it was a non-school day when we were visiting, they all (500 strong) came dressed in their uniforms to sing for us.

While at the school, I commented to one of the teachers that these children were so fortunate to live in a land that is rich with beautiful animals. "Oh, they've never seen them," he said. Shocked, I asked him why not. "Nobody here has the funds (let alone a car) to drive down this mountain to go to the national parks." As a teacher that values experiences for children, I was impelled to find out how we could help. I've spoken with Godwin, the principal and eldest son of Bishop Eliudi, about donating funds specifically for sending all of the 7^th graders (about 60 children) on a day long field trip (lunch included) to see these treasured animals (only about 20 miles away!). We are hoping to donate these funds each year so that all children at the school will be able to go during their 7^th grade year! You can probably imagine the significance of a trip like this for these children. Godwin said that when he was young, he had opportunity to go on a similar trip and he slept the night before with his shoes on in order to be sure to be ready in the morning!

I'm delighted to tell you that, for the first time, our school is in a financial situation that can allow for helping in this way. Please check www.sakilasponsorship.org for more information about this school. For those of you that like maps, check on Google Earth for Arusha, Tanzania. Sakila is on the foothills of Mt Meru, in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro.