My Time as a Volunteer at Red Rose, by L. Bogosian

Hello! 

I am Lizzie Bogosian from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, USA. I have been in Kenya for a semester study abroad program that started in January and decided to spend my last two weeks volunteering at Red Rose Children’s Center. My experience has been incredible.

My first week I worked with the baby class, class 2 and class 3. During my second week, I spent time with the nursery, pre-unit and class 4 with the babies I was able to assist them with colouring letters of the alphabet, counting and painting. With then other classes, I was given a chance to teach math, English and science as well as assist the teachers in anything they needed. When I was not in class, I spent time playing with the kids, talking with the teachers and spent time with the students.

Spending my last couple of weeks at Red Rose was a perfect way to end my stay in Kenya. I was given the chance to make great relationships with the students and teachers both in and outside of class. Everyone was very welcoming, creating an environment open to visitors and a great place for children to learn. The students were always so enthuastic about learning not only the class material but also about who I am and where I come from. It was always a happy place to be. I look forward to when I can come back again.
ASANTE SANA!

Hollis and Kimberly visit Red Rose

Hollis Calhoun and Kimberly from the USA stopped by to visit Red Rose School today. They have been in in the country on a training exercise near Mt. Kenya, and wanted to follow up with a visit to Red Rose after hearing so much about it from their friend and Children of Kibera Foundation board member, Michelle O'Hara.

St. Lawrence University Student Volunteer at Red Rose

For the next two weeks we will be hosting Lizze Bogosian from St. Lawrence University as part of their Kenya Semester Program Urban Studies Component. She has been working in class with the students and she is enjoying her volunteer work.

World Bank Friends visit Red Rose at start of Term Two

Marjorie Lehrman, a long-time supporter of Red Rose from Washington DC brought her friend Jill, a former colleague at the World Bank to visit the Red Rose School today. During their visit, Marjie and Jill quickly made friends with all the children by bringing in special squash drink and cookies for an impromptu schoolwide party! This was a fun way to reopen the school since the children have just returned to school this week for the beginning of the second term of the school year that runs from May to end of July.

Marjie and Jill also had conversations with the staff at Red Rose to learn more about the school's programs and goals for growth in the future. Marjie, whose brother Robert Lehrman is a board member of the Children of Kibera Foundation, delivered specially wrapped pencils and pens from her niece Sydney. The children of the fourth and fifth grade at Red Rose will start a penpal relationship with Sydney by email.

Thank you Marjie and Jill for cheering everybody up with your visit. Please come again! Asante sana na karibu tena!

Click here to view a picasa web album of the visit

April Camp at Red Rose

Chores Mean More, New York Times, April 27th 2009

Teacher Rose Mureka of Red Rose School, Litworld, and the Bronxville School are featured in an article on a collaboration through electronic books, email, and letters that bring American and Kenyan children closer together as they learn about life in the slums outside Nairobi and in the surburbs of New York City. Read the April 27th New York Times article by cliking here!

"Living with my Granny" by Brian, Grade 5

"Helping My Mother" by Diana, Grade 5

April Camp 2009

This April we had another successful camp at Red Rose School thanks to the financial support of the Children of Kibera Foundation. We had visitors from St. Lawrence University come over and spend their time with the children. The activities in the camp included drawing, painting, computer lessons, singing e.tc. The camp was a great experience, with two meals provided each day for the children, many of whom would otherwise go hungry over the month-long April vacation from school. On the last week of the camp we were graced by Teacher Emmily Minayo who had just returned fresh from her three week teacher exchange trip to the Potomac School and other friends of Red Rose in the USA.  Click here for a Picasa web album of the camp.  

Back Home

I am back home. I really enjoyed my trip in the U.S.A. It was so amazing to me. Thank you so much for hosting me and making my trip to be succesful. My trip allowed me to get more ideas from different schools. The ideas were very important to me. I will use them at Red Rose. Red Rose is going to shine in Kibera.