Community library set to open!

Almost all year Brian and I have been working on a Freedom Through Learning project linked to the IDP (Internally-Displaced Persons) camp we are connected with through Habitat for Humanity. A goal of the youth leaders at the camp was to establish a community library, as there are absolutely no books and educational resources available in the community. So, all year we have been collecting books and on Friday we were able to deliver boxes and boxes (over 500 books!) to the IDP camp. We spent the day cataloguing and organizing books under the supervision of Edmond, a librarian from nearby Naivasha who came to volunteer his time. In a week or two the library will officially open, and in about six months we will be able to deliver many more books that are en route from Canada, the States and Korea. This project has been an absolute blessing to be a part of and we can't wait to see some of our favourite kids from the camp (particularly Cecilia, Eunice, Stephen and James) reading books in the newly-painted space. What a beautiful way to spend Good Friday.

Off to Mozambique with students...

In the middle of April, I (LeeAnne) flew off to Maputo, Mozambique with 14 ISK students and one more ISK teacher. Our destination: the Global Issues Service Summit, Africa's equivalent of the Global Issues Network conferences I have been attending with students for three years in Asia. It was an inspiring and moving four days, and my students came back full of passion and conviction that they can change the world. What a blessing to accompany them on this trip. Maputo, as a capital city, is on the coast and features some stunning Portuguese architecture. Also, I was blessed to spend a day at a children's home called Project Liberty, where about 20 children (many who are HIV positive) are loved and cared for by an incredible American woman and a small, dedicated staff.

Prom & Speeches...

After a busy month, I am finally getting around to posting some photos from our April adventures! It's been a great month, full of a lot of Freedom Through Learning activity (check out the website: www.freedomthroughlearning.org to catch up on some of what we've been up to). Also, Hannah and Cora got all dressed up for prom at the beginning of April, and Cora was one of 12 finalists in the high school speech competition a few weeks later. This was a high-profile and event and she delivered her speech about fair trade vs. free trade with confidence and grace. She is pictured, above, with the entire group of finalists (three students per grade level) and also with the other two grade nine finalists (Raihan and Nandie).

Dhows and dreamin'...

The March break trip we took to Lamu Island was, perhaps, the most relaxing trip we have ever had. Hanging out on our rooftop terrace reading and napping, swimmming, getting to know the locals in Shella (an abundance of sit com characters!) and sailing on dhows. It was a restful and restorative place.

Beaching it on Lamu...

The beach on Lamu Island, in the village of Shella where we stayed, stretches for kilometres and kilometres. It's absolutely gorgeous and we loved swimming and walking here. In addition, one day when we were feeling adventurous we rode donkeys on the beach with a few friends of the girls who happened to also be vacationing on the coast. We weren't brave enough to ride the camels after we rode the donkeys...

Historic Swahili ruins...

On our March break, we traveled to Lamu Island and spent a week relaxing, swinging on a hanging Lamu-style bed and exploring ancient ruins. The Swahili settlements in this part of coastal Kenya (very close to the border with Somalia) date back to the 15th century, which is pretty amazing. Lamu town itself still maintains a deep sense of history. For Brian, a history teacher, it was a fabulous trip.