Nairobi's first bilingual school - Humble Hearts

from: www.idcs.info

HUMBLE HEARTS SCHOOL, NAIROBI

(15 April 2004)

SYNOPSIS

My name is Beatrice Anunda from Nairobi Kenya and I am 32 years old am a Christian. I work as a volunteer at Humble Hearts School for the Deaf as a teacher, counsellor, mother and friend.

I love traveling, meeting people and teaching, I spend most of my time at the school with children.

Humble Hearts school for the Deaf is located in Donholm Nairobi Kenya is a child welfare programme founded on voluntary basis by the community in the year 2003.

The programme which aims at promoting the welfare of deaf children from impoverished famished families of Nairobi was my own idea. The concept of the programme stemmed out of the live need for educational facilities for many deaf slum children not attending school. This was due to exorbitant fees charged in special schools. Many of these deaf children hail from poor slum families. Some have one parent, others have both parents, while others are completely orphaned. Being poor illiterate, semi-literate and without sign language knowledge the parents and guardians keep these children at home often not knowing what to do with them.

Others feel deafness is an embarrassment or a curse and end up hiding them The children have no books, shoes, wear torn clothes, are malnourished, full of self pity, and are often very defensive. A sense of rejection and lack of self worth creates a serious withdrawal syndrome that makes the children look less creative and unproductive.

The children's environment in the slum is really pathetic the population is very high and incomes very low. The school provides a counselling and support system, feeding and educating the children. It takes such a short time for the children to open up and cope with school life performing well discarding fear and self- pity.

The main objective of the programme is to instil moral and quality life into the deaf slum children through the provision of food, education and upbringing to present into the society responsible individuals from childhood.

* To help children heal from the trauma of rejection psychological and social ailments, denial and withdrawal through counselling and involvement in social economic activities.

* To provide primary and secondary and higher advance education for deaf children to deaf people.

* To establish vocational and professional training for skill and career development.

* To establish a bible college for the deaf.

SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL

Humble Hearts is still young - about 9 months now but it has performed extremely well.

Our children have really changed, they look better than when they joined i.e. healthy, friendly and they can read, write, sign, in fact we have upcoming artists whom we are encouraging. The school has 20 children though some are still out of school due to lack of transport. These children live far and all the school can do is visit them on regular basis and until we get a school van or establish boarding school.

We have four volunteers working at the school one of them is a deaf teacher who teaches mathematics and computer, he is an inspiration to this children

ISSUES ENCOUNTERED

CHALLENGES
Deaf children are sometimes very short tempered and they always want a lot of attention. As a teacher, I find that you must love the deaf children to be able to teach because one needs to be very patient with them. For instance you might have to teach one topic 2 to 3 times in order for them to be able to understand and not forget.

Another challenge is to work with the parents who think that deaf children are not capable of learning and become independent people. Many parents believe that all deaf children will be able to do is house work, carpentry or get married when they became of age it is really sad. Often parents tend to be very stubborn and during our first visits to their homes, it takes a lot of counselling to convince such parent to bring their children to school.

Our school is housed in a church premise, the humble building is made of corrugated iron on both the roof and walls the floor is not cemented. We rely on donations from the community in order to sustain ourselves.

We hold a regular “harambee”. These are community fundraising events, where everyone is asked to contribute money. Our most recent harambee was not successful, we only managed to raise KSh 2,000 but our landlord wants KSh 7,000. He has already closed the church/school because the deadline was on 5th April. I have been forced to dismiss the children until we sort out the rent issue.

GDC Kenya

NEW KENYAN BOARD FORMED!

(mzeebubu got it from gdc mailout - see see)

Almost ten years after the concept of Global Deaf Connection was "born" in Kenya, the "cycle of success" has come full round to establish a local Board of Directors to formally register the organization in country as Global Deaf Connection/Kenya (GDC/K), and give more local oversight and direction of its activities..

Initially, a core group of GDC/K Board of Directors was selected from the Head Office. Appointments were Deaf and hearing professionals whom had a history of activism as individuals, and in organizations, promoting the development of the Deaf Community and education in Kenya. This group met in Nairobi in January, and identified additional members to make complete the GDC/K Board of Directors.

Currently the GDC/K Board of Directors is composed of seven Deaf and five hearing members, with one ex-official member.
The GDC/K Board of Directors is committed to working amongst themselves, and with its stakeholders, to create quality, appropriate, sustainable education for Deaf Kenyans.

MZEEBUBU: Nickson now the chair of GDC Kenya. Mzee Bubu glad see Nickson work a bit not sit fart fart.

Mzee Bubu BUSY!

Mzee Bubu very busy and sick.

sorry for the delay.

any news ua want talk, let mzee bubu know.

more GDC news!

AMBER MARTIN NAMED GDC's newest CEO!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We are excited to inform you of some recent personnel changes at the GDC office. Amber Martin has been chosen by the board to assume the CEO position. We value Ron Brouillette's instrumental work in assisting GDC in the past year to improve programs and raise our international standing within the Deaf community. Amber is now looking forward to continuing to strengthen GDC's programs and helping GDC continue growth.

Amber is a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota studying language acquisition and cognitive development. She has been active on the GDC board of directors for five years, and has traveled to all of GDC's country sites. Welcome, Amber!

GDC Founder, Kevin Long & Ron Brouillette meet in Kamanthu, India.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kevin Long, founder and previous CEO of GDC meet up with Ron in Kathmandu to discuss the present situation and the future. Kevin will likely remain abroad ron kev indiafor a longer time, but has agreed to continue on as an advisor, and to assist GDC in its future development. Following a two week trek in Nepal, Kevin and his friend, Sarah will return to London for the next two months or so.

shane mwangi resign KDCT chair

mzee bubu got this from his mate who is mate of shane mwangi

==

Jambo everyone!

I want to let you know that I have handed in my resignation notice to the Kenya Deaf Children Trust as the chairman. Increasing workloads in the KDCT and that I may move to Amsterdam to study General Linguistics which I will put use to my KSL research which is important for Kenya. Circumstances have made it difficult for me to deliever my duties as the KDCT Chairman and I have recommended Katrina Gwynne-Jones to become the acting chairwoman as I feel she is the most suitable one for the position and that she will ensure that KDCT will continue on. I may stay on the KDCT Committee as I believe that KDCT is a worthy cause for everyone to support - and that KDCT will need all the support they can get.

Let's support Katrina and Kenya Deaf Children Trust!

yours,

Shane (Mwangi) Gilchrist Ó hEorpa
Kenya Deaf Children Trust

Stephen Wathigo's new blog

Mzee Bubu very happy to see a new blog

http://www.kenyadeafmag.blogspot.com/

we need more deaf blogs in Kenya.

get out and do more

Jean Claude and Ogola the Car Mirrow Steal Man

mzee bubu is v v busy.

some points here:

1. someone left a comment saying that jean is good cos he have one wife and one soon baby. Oh did you know Jean have another wife in Togo? With a kid as well. That is what Mzee Bubu heard. Mzee Bubu heard that Jean was the lover of Marit the Deaf Aid Chair (very very very unprofessional) but no proof.

2. some people have left comments in Mzee Bubu comments using Jean's name. Mzee Bubu was told it is not Jean's writing - it is someone who fake use Jean name.

OGOLA - did you steal the car sidemirror?

KNAD steal car mirrors? The KNAD Chair steal car mirrors. Mean the KNAD way steal car mirrors?

Go away, Ogola, go back to your gardening

let's wait for 29 March

someone wrote:

"...Mzee Bubu has stopped writing dirty and mad about JC because Mzee Bubu is totally happy with JC because he is learinig Kenya sign language and is in the process of designing Deafaid advisory board which due on march 29. Jean is taking our concerns and issues more seriously than before please join me in congralatuting him with great respect and honnor..."

Mzee Bubu still wait for deafaid advisory board meet 29 march see positive or bad. Not 100% sure. wait and see.

maybe jean change improve better? Can he sign KSL now?

mzee bubu waits.

another one from Kijana Bubu

KIJANA BUBU wrote:

Hey hay hey!!!

Kijana Bubu here we are not against Jean having a wife, baby or wives and babies....We are against people coming into Kenya, walking all over our faces, lying to us and thinking that we are uneducated, stupid and blind.

If we need to learn anything from Jean it is one thing - The Brain Drain in Africa runs from North to south. Foolish people can actually leave their mother country and come to another shouting, granting and sweating propergating the Ideals of a western culture in the name of development..empowerment and benevolence. that is the only lesson we can learn from him. please do not lie to the Deaf Kenyans.

Call it discrimination or whatever - if indeed the wife/girlfriend is working for Deaf AID then what is that? I think they call that nepotism or conflict of interest in the west?

If you are man enough Jean respond to these allegations - We have information on Kisii, Karen, KIE and KNAD projects.....

Kijana Bubu is willing to take you to task.....Jean, Kevin and Deaf AID sympathizers - Tell us what projects - Sustainable projects are you giving Kenyans, are they empowering? who in KIE can sustain the web based learning? do we have the infrastructure for empowering the stakeholders? why are you hording the KNAD report? did SHIA promise to fund them through Deaf AID?

I could go on and on BUT it is pointless for me to rumble on yet
I forget that you are Cyberphobic or is it a blogfreak?

More on Deaf AID....
KIE Project
KNAD - SHIA standoff
Kisii - Project White Elephant or what?
Karen - What is the deal?
KRITD - the latest

Kijana Bubu through this blog will be asking the hard questions many people are unable to ask BOLDLY.

Mzee please publish this hot scoop...it is time we sent some people packing - 2007 is an election year in Kenya we need to get new leadership in all spheres of life including Deaf Kenya.\

Kijana Bubu

Joseph Ogola and Deaf Aid

Joseph Ogola: KNAD Chair
used to work for CMA: work what? Mzee Bubu dunno.
his old school: Nyangoma

he criticised Jean at Deaf Aid say bad man, robber, greedy.

SITTING ALLOWANCE, OGOLA? jean laughs.

OH YES, LORD JEAN, YES I WILL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU. JUST GIVE ME MONEY! ogola woofs like dog. big stupid dog.

now what happens? Ogola go and teach Jean KSL in Deaf Aid office.

Teach KSL or lick Jean's expensive leather shoes?

you are the KNAD Chair, Joseph Ogola, yet you are reduced to be Jean's shoelicker?

no hope for kenya deaf community.

more about Ogola at:

http://www.cmaid.org/CMA-SignReport1.PDF

mzee bubu prays for your soul, Ogola, mzee bubu weeps for your soiled soul - go back to your gardening where you tend to God's creation without thinking wicked thoughts...go back to your gardening!

jean claude still in hiding

where are you jean?

busy with ur wife in ur office? A new baby yet? we know ur wife pregnant. you use deaf aid money to look after ur wife, u give her job etc. will you register the baby with the norwegian embassy yes? or you say no no cos you want all the money for yourself?

deaf community memory same as elephant, long time memory. We will never forget you. You hide hope we will forget but no we will wait for you.

we heard u still see other women rather than work deaf aid.

happy busy paying joseph ogolla knad chair to polish your shoes? will u pay him 1,000 just to do ur garden?

when will u buy ur ticket go back 2 norway or togo we dont need u!

Suggestions for KNAD

Mzee Bubu got that suggestion from someone...

==

Suggestions for the Kenyan National Association of the Deaf

The amount of work KNAD is expected to do for the Deaf Community seems almost overwhelming, considering the high level of discrimination toward Deaf people face in Kenya and the many needs that they have. Also overwhelming is the vast amount of work that must be done in so many areas (legislation, health, education, job training, and employment).

The participants in this study, through their responses, give us an idea of where to begin. Over half of the respondents (42) believed that the major barrier that prevents the Deaf community from advancing in society and which has prevented them from receiving appropriate assistance from organizations is their own lack of a quality education to advocate for themselves. There is no accurate data to estimate the number of deaf children who have attended school or have graduated from educational programs. Yet, even those deaf adults who did attend school believe their education was unequal to that of the hearing students’, and of such low quality that they can not advance in society. When asked what program or service believed to most important to establish in order to overcome all of the barriers and challenges in society that they lived in, overwhelmingly, the highest number of responses indicated the Deaf community believed a quality education was necessary to advance in society.

Initially then, the education of deaf children seems where the work should begin. As mentioned earlier, it is imperative that organizations striving to improve the lives of deaf people, work alongside and with deaf people. The Kenyan National Association would be the organization which represents the interests of the deaf. Yet, KNAD is struggling to be an effective organization. Therefore, the researchers believe there should be an initial focus on making KNAD the representative voice of the Deaf community where educators, organizations, legislators, and members of the deaf community can come for guidance and information.

KNAD should:

• Request funding for leadership training which teaches deaf leaders from throughout Kenya which would teach skills in how to run an organization (this may include reviewing and revising their constitution), how to apply for large grants, how to run programs and projects, how to advocate for themselves at the national and local level, and information on national and international policies, laws, and standards concerning people with disabilities.

• Not concentrate all of its power only in the head office in Nairobi, but share resources and responsibilities to the fifteen affiliate branches.

• Should have more roles in management of Kenya Sign Language research project at Nairobi University instead of leaving it in the hands of hearing who has little interest and hardly do research or update Kenya sign Language. There is need to filled up the research project with Deaf Linguistic specialists and open it up programs to train professional interpreters

• Collaborate with other governmental and non-governmental organizations working with or for people with disabilities in Kenya.

Economic development (job training) so KNAD is self-sustainable. Collaborate with other organizations in effort to improve Deaf community. Have a working partner that fund sustainable projects which it oversees. Work with schools by offering leadership workshops, sending successful deaf people to interact with Deaf kids so as to be their role model. Create Scholarships programs for the deaf students in school and help teachers with the history of the deaf and Deaf culture.

from Anthony Nderitu

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for the nice comments you made on an article i wrote on a deaf wedding at Kerugoya that was published at Mzee Bubu. I need clarify that i did not send it to Mzee Bubu myself. Up until now i did not even know about it until a friend directed me to the website. I had written the article upon request by someone who must have redirected it to Mzee Bubu. Nevertheless i was pleased to read it too, more so your hilarious comments, especially that anonymous one on Kerugoya ("KERUGOYA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF TOP SCHOOL DEAF KENYA?") that had me rolling down in mirth. My gratitudes to Shane too, who otherwise did not leave her contacts so that i would thank her directly.

You are nice guys and Mzee Bubu has revealed to me the other side of the deaf, that it is not all about petty squables and quarrels over donor AIDS money, as i am used to seeing wherever i look or read. (Honestly this has painted the deaf (or rather its leadership) badly, and keeps others who would otherwise have wanted to participate in the development of the deaf away. I am one, a admit!!).

God bless you all.

Anthony Nderitu.

more on Kenya Deaf Welfare Society

that is found at:

http://www.miusa.org/orgsearch/index_html/orgResult_detail?itemnum=4255

==

Kenya Deaf Welfare Society

Address
PO Box 13756 -00800
Nairobi 254
Kenya

Contact

Telephone: (254) 0721-564672
Alternate Telephone: (254) 0722-452924
undeafken@yahoo.com; nicedeaf@yahoo.com


The mission of the Kenya Deaf Welfare Society is to enable the Deaf in Kenya to overcome limitations and empower them in order to gain full participation, equalization of opportunities both economically and for their social well-being. The Kenya Deaf Welfare Society areas of expertise are: capacity building, sign language and interpreter training, and establishing programs.

The Kenya Deaf Welfare Society offers the following services: Business and Employment programs, adult education, leadership training, advocacy / lobbying / public policy, peer support, awareness raising, health education (HIV/AIDS and reproductive health), youth with disabilities, refugees, and for the Deaf Blind.

Kenya Deaf Welfare Society

MZEE BUBU wants to know if the organisation is real?

Kenya Deaf Welfare Society - Evanson N. Karanja. Contact via undeaf@yahoo.com

please let MZEE BUBU know!

Dinah Achieng's poem

Dinah Achieng of Kenya

Dinah chose to tell her story in the form of a poem, which is entitled:

(to be found at www.idcs.info)

=====

You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to “hear “ a hand
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to be a small child
In a school, in a room void of sound,
With a teacher who talks and talks and talks
And when she does come round to you
She expects you to know what she’s said?
You have to be deaf to understand

Or the teacher that thinks that to make you smart
You must first learn to talk with your voice
So mumbo jumbo with hands on your face
For hours and hours without patience or end
Until out comes a faint resembling sound
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to be curious
To thirst for knowledge you can call your own
With an inner desire that‘s sister or friend
Who looks in answer and says “never mind”
You have to be deaf to understand

What’s it like in a corner to stand
Though there is nothing you’ve done really wrong
Other than try to make use of your hands
To a silent peer to communicate
A thought that’s come to your mind all at once.
You have to be deaf to understand

What’s it like to be shouted at
When one thinks that will help you hear
Or misunderstand the words of a friend
Who is trying to make a joke clear
And you don’t get the point because he has failed
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to be laughed in the face
When you try to repeat what is said.
Just to make sure that you’ve understood,
And you find that the words were misread
And you want to cry out, “Please help me friend”
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to have to depend
On one who can hear to phone a friend,
Or place a call to a business firm
And be forced to share what is personal and
Then find out your message wasn't made clear
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to be deaf and alone
In the company of those who can hear
And you can only guess as you go along
For no one’s there with a helping hand
As you try to keep up with words and song
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like on the road of life
To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth
And speaks out a line art a rapid pace
And you can’t understand the look in his face
Because it is new and you’re lost in the race
You have to be deaf to understand

What’s it like to comprehend
Some nimble fingers that paint the scene
And make you smile and feel seen
With the “spoken word” of moving hand
That makes you part of the world at large
You have to be deaf to understand

What is it like to hear a hand?
Yes, you have to be deaf to understand.

Anthony Nderitu writes...

Beautiful Wedding bells from the Kerugoya Deaf Community.

February 17th 2007 will remain the biggest day in the calendar of the deaf of Kirinyaga District and indeed the Africa. only three days after the ring bells of valentive ended love was expressed at its best by the most beautiful wedding in the years 2007. The wedding was between couple that is deaf, Patrick and Wambui who were joined in Holy matrimony by Pastor Paul Njatha, himself Deaf, and the Rev Pastor of PCEA church at Kerugoya.

The District is the only one in Central Province that has had no church for the deaf for a long time. Committee members of Central Kenya Deaf Association were especially concerned by this situation, considering that the headquarters of the association is in the District. After all were in agreement that a church for the deaf was required within the District, the next problem was venue.

The committee sort the assistance of a teacher at Kerugoya School for the Deaf, Ms. Margaret Waithera, who is an active member of PCEA church at Kerugoya and presently the matron of the deaf church. The later approached the PCEA church committee which had no hesitation in agreeing to provide a venue. The final problem was identification of a preacher. One member of the church, Mr Patrick Chanari, had preached before, at Karatina, Nyeri and other places. One snag though, he had not conducted a church wedding, which is necessary for one who is married to play an active role in the PCEA church.

That's how arrangements for the wedding began. Ms Waithira approached members of PCEA Kerugoya church for financial help. They all said they were willing to help. So were members of neighbouring churches such as Githioro and Kamuruga. Initially the wedding had been fixed for November 2006 but there were some problems encountered. Patrick had not yet taken dowry to the parents of the bride, a must in Kikuyu customary marriage.

The wedding was finally slated for 17th February 2007. There were several hitches on the way, mainly brought about by parents of the bride. First, the grooms parents found it difficult to pay the dowry the parents of the groom were asking for. Once again members of PCEA Kerugoya church came in to the rescue and donated the necessary items.

Thanks to Ms Waithera, all preparations went smoothly. We invited all the deaf whom we knew, and all the churches we had contacts with. On the big Day, Saturday February 17th, we all gathered at Ms Waithera's house. Some women members of Kerugoya and Kamuruga PCEA had been at the venue, Kerugoya PCEA church, all night to do the cooking. May these kind people be blessed. Some members of the deaf churches at Karatina, Kiambu and Nyeri attended.

The Best Man was the writer of this story, Anthony Nderitu, and the Best maid was Bilha Wambui, a close friend of the bride. In the bridal party were Esther, Njeri, Loise, Wangari, Muriithi, Irungu, Samuel among others, all of them deaf and active members of Kerugoya Deaf Church.

We set off from Ms Waithira's house in a convoy of seven vehicles, all of them donated free of charge by members of PCEA church, save for one from Kerugoya School for the Deaf, at exactly 11.15 am. After some introductions and orientations at the pastors office, we set off for the main service.

The wedding was conducted by Pastor Paul Njatha, himself Deaf, and the Rev Pastor of PCEA church at Kerugoya. Everything went according to the book. The entire congregation, comprising both the deaf and the hearing, was able to follow everything thanks to the excellent interpretation from Margret Muthoni, Bonnie Mbari and Eunice Kasisi. Also the wedding was covered by newsmen from Kenya Television Network (KTN) and Standard Newspapers.

Songs were conducted by the choir of PCEA church. Nyeri Deaf church, which is also under PCEA, conducted a nice dance on salvation. So was the Kerugoya Deaf church, which 'sang', "Only you Lord can Save me!" Pupils of Kerugoya School for the Deaf, who were all there at the church, also danced for the newly weds.

There were plenty of Drama too by the deaf. The most moving one, which kept the crowd on its feet, was by Mwangi and Jane. The two did a pantomime on man and wife who rarely talked, with the man hiding his face behind a newspaper or being fixated to the TV while the woman is trying to explain the problems of the house. Once the man came late and the wife want to know why. The man brushes the wife's questioning with the quip that its none of her business!!

Pastor Paul led the newly weds in reciting of the vows and exchange of the rings. Before that, he explained to the congregation that the meaning of the ring was one word, love. The bible reading was a verse on creation, that ended with the verse, "for that reason man shall leave his father and mother and be united with his wife". This was followed by a drama as always happen in sermons for the deaf to make the reading more clear.

The reception was an art. There were 6 cakes, donated by members of PCEA church. The cake matron was Mrs. Dr. Kaponda, whose husband is the Patron of Central Kenya Deaf Association. There were jigs and plays. She said how his husband loves the deaf people. She told all never to think that being disabled makes one unable. She gave an example that here in our midst was a deaf who is pursuing his doctoral degree. And finally, she requested all present to vote for her husband, who is aspiring for the Kerugoya-Kutus parliamentary seat.

After the cutting of the cake, there were gifts giving, amid song and dance. The wedding ended with prayers. And finally, two deaf people became one, in the witness of all and the Lord. It was a big challenge to the deaf people whose idea of marriage is the popular version of COME WE STAY.

For us who played a part in this wedding, more so this writer, it was a big satisfaction of conquest watching the news on KTN TV that evening and the following day. Bigger too was the feeling of ululation as all those who had watched, both deaf and hearing, but mainly the later, sort to know about it. I had a hard time answering to SMS, and could not reply to all because i ran out credit!

At this juncture, the deaf people of Kirinyaga District, and in deed all the deaf with an interest with this wedding, would like to take this opportunuty to thank the entire congregation of Kerugoya, Kamuruga and Gathora PCEA curches, the chairman of the wedding organising committee, The Rev Pastor of PCEA and Pastor Paul who did an excellent job of uniting the two love birds, and Ms. Margerat Waithera who made all this possible. May God add them blessings to prospire for their kind hearts so that they may help more people.

May God bless Chanari and Wambui's home. Those deaf who wish to do a holy wedding are free to request our help.


Anthony Nderitu,
The Bestman

Gloria Okello's Christmas email

Mzee Bubu got it from one of his friends.

Gloria Okello is a Phillipines deaf missionary at Kenya Christian School for the Deaf at Oyugis. Like Ogango's School at Kisii Town, the KCSD is all deaf (deaf teachers and deaf care staff) and it is supported by DMI (Deaf Ministries International which Josephat Mulongo of Nairobi Immanuel Church of the Deaf is involved with.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gloria Okello
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:52:39 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Merry Christmas from KCSD

Dear Praying Friends,

December is here again. The children had their early Christmas Party, after they did their final exams and off they went for their year-end vacation.

This year's party we made exclusive for the children and teachers only. I wanted them to enjoy the food to the fullest of their hearts. They feasted on tilapia fish from Lake Victoria, which was a real treat to them. Here in Kenya fish is a luxury than meat. It was also a yummy treat to our several kids who do not like beef or "hates meat" as they signed it. Everyone receives a surprise gift and exta special gift to those who excelled in academic and extra curricular activities.

Some of you were asking, where the orphan kids go on vacation time. Our orphans has always home to go. Relatives even come early to get them. It is during vacation that they are needed at home. There are works reserves for them to do. Boys, to keep the animals and so much work to do for the girls. Here in Africa, women or girls are the backbones of hard labor. And when school opens, they are always the last one to come. Several of them missed to return. Girls were sent to work as a maid, though too young to do the work. I called it "a child taking care another child." Boys are hired as a full-time herds boy.

Speaking of home, the owner of the house we rented for boys dormitory just waited until we close school and kicked them out. He complained that the deaf missed-up his house. They broke the glasses on the windows, destroyed the doors of the bathroom and toilet. I saw and it was true. I know the deaf. They have no control of the bangings because they can't hear. Same happens to our girls dorm. No glasses on the windows and doors are intact. I had the toilet and bathroom doors repaired several times. So I had no arguments with him. He evaluated the damages and billed me 7,000 shillings. I paid and told the boys to gather all the mattresses, dismantle the beds and move them to our tin sheets building.

I sent Paul and Robert (deaf teachers) to scout for the house. No one is willing to rent us the house if we use for dormitory. Even the old man who previously came to me and offered his house changed his mind. My other concern, if the owner of the house we presently occupied as schools and girls dormitory will also come and claim his property. Where will I take the children. They are growing in numbers.

When I went to follow-up our request of building grants from the Japanese Embassy, that was the saddest day that was ever happened to me. The response was "REGRETS." I felt the whole world collapsed on me. I was the most disappointed person whoever lives on earth that day. The grant officer shook my hands and said sorry. I said, thank you but that was not sincere at all. I took a deep breath and slowly walked to the taxi waiting for me. Just to lift-up my broken spirit I said; "Lord if you closes the doors, I know you will open the windows."

I went to attend the Humanitarian Symposium and I met a nice Christian lady. I shared to her my burdens
and she told me, "keep knocking on the same door."

In November, I made a short trip to the Philippines. I attended the funeral of my eldest brother. Thanks to a very generous lady, only God knows who she is. She made my trip possible. There was a TV game show Deal or No Deal. I was almost tempted to try my luck. I also received an email notice that my email address won in the lottery. I knew very well that it was a part of the Nigerian Scams. But it seems so real and true. I was awarded thousands of Euros. Almost the whole night I was not able to sleep counting for my millions. All I thought was to use the millions to build the schools and there was even extra
left for me.

I know all of the above is not according to God's plan. He has His own way to make things happen. Apostle Paul wrote; "Being confident of this that he who began a work in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6

Thank you all for keeping and holding me and the needs of Kenya Christian School for the Deaf in your prayers. God, and you who are behinds me in this work are the source of my strength. Merry Christmas and A

Very Happy New Year.

Committed to His work,

Gloria

Susan Mugwe - fake signature for her Mau's passport

NEWS SCOOP! NEWS SCOOP!

someone forwarded the email to MZEE BUBU it was from November 2006. A lot of people in Kenya knows Susan Mugwe been fired fired from Peace Corps cos fake signature passport for her son Mau. Maybe she was right Mau's father not good won't sign the consent form say yes passport for Mau but still illegal and bad thing. Americans very strict law sometimes bad for Susan. See below for emails between many peace corps volunteers (all americans). Mzee Bubu notice one thing. All american. No one Kenyans.

Does it mean no kenyan wants to help Susan Mugwe? Only Americans? Is it a bad thing or a good thing? Susan Mugwe work hard support deaf community as a teacher, an interpreter, a interpreter trainer, a peace corps boss and a good mother?

==

EMAILS BTW PEACE CORPS VOLS & SUSAN MUGWE & OTHERS
============================================

Hey guys, I don't know if you've heard, but I just got this e-mail today and
thought I'd pass it on. Apparently Susan Mugwe has recently been fired and is
asking for help in making an appeal to the ambassador. This seems to have been
making the rounds in forwards, but near the bottom is Susan's story, written by
her. I thought I should send it so you can check it out and decide if you want
to do anything to help. I don't know how long ago this happened, but there
might be a couple days left to e-mail the ambassador to help her appeal.

Kimberly

----- Forwarded message from Hadar Dafny Kramer -----
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 14:50:56 -0500
From: Hadar Dafny Kramer
Reply-To: pckenyadeafeducation@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [pckenyadeafeducation] RE: FW: i need your help -- Susan Mugwe
To:

Hi All--

Not sure who has had a chance to write a letter to the three people
requested for susan's appeal-- but I figured I would send what I wrote in
case anyone wanted to use it/change it around etc. I think she only has a
few more days left.

Thanks!

Hadar

==

Ambassador Ranneberger: RanneberME@...
Ronald Tschetter: rtschetter@...
Henry McKoy: hmckoy@...

Dear Ambassador,

I am writing to help Susan Mugwe, the recently terminated Area Peace Corps
Director, with her appeal. I was an RPCV in Kenya (1998-2000) and had
numerous opportunities to work with Susan and have stayed in touch with her
throughout the past 7 years. Susan has stayed dear to all of us who have
worked with her. I am so sad to hear that the decision has been made to
terminate her for such a minor error on her part as she was doing what was
in the best interest for her son..

For nearly 10 years Susan has put her heart and soul into Kenya’s Peace
Corps program. More specifically, as a former Deaf Education PCV, without
Susan championing the program it would not be to the depth or breadth that
it is currently at today. As volunteers Susan’s regular support enabled us
to be as successful as possible in often very difficult situations. It
appalls me to not only see her leave but to see her future potentially
tarnished. Susan Mugwe is the brightest, most driven, and compassionate
Kenyan woman I know and I am confident that you will do everything in your
power to help her in this appeal.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
857-257-3100
hadarkramer@...

Sincerely,

Hadar

>From: "Matthys, Deborah L Ms TACOM-RI"
>To:
>CC: "Susan Mugwe (smugwe2003@...)"
>Subject: RE: FW: i need your help -- Susan Mugwe
>Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 06:22:02 -0600
>
>Michael/RPCVs:
>
>Here's the e-mail addresses you can write to
>
>Ambassador Ranneberger - RanneberME@...
>
>
>Ronald Tschetter - rtschetter@...
>
>
>Henry McKoy - hmckoy@...
>
>I've already sent them an e-mail yesterday to all three above and CC'd
>Susan
>Mugwe along with some RPCVs expressing my disappointment with Peace
>Corps/Kenya in how they treated Susan. Together, we will work through this.
>
>THANKS,
>Debbie
> _____
>
>From: Michael Gori [mailto:mikegori@...]
>Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 6:11 AM
>To:
>Cc: Susan Mugwe (smugwe2003@...)
>Subject: Re: FW: i need your help -- Susan Mugwe
>
>Does anybody have the Peace Corps Director's & the Africa Region guy's
>e-mails? If yes, please blast these 3 e-mials to everyone. To make it
>easier and more timely for people to act.
>
>Although this is a CYA (Cover Your Ass) decision by lower level HR folks
>and
>somewhat necessary in this regard, it is a missed opportunity to take a
>stand against gender biased legislation, and an opportunity to stand for
>womens' rights. In keeping with this, although resignation may still be
>highly recommended, if the situation is truly revisited by policy level
>decision makers, the involved organizations could still cover their ass by
>documenting both sides of the resignation, the difficulty of the situation,
>and @ worst leave Susan with the credible support and references required
>to
>get another position within ID in Kenya. That's the least 'they' should do
>when looking @ her former and formal record of service.
>
>Susan- I will forward some contacts to you in Kenya of a few people I think
>can help with new employment and help in fighting this termination. On a
>related note, is Glenna Snyder still around in Kenya? Her former
>supervisor
>@ the Carter Center would also be a good Kenya based contact for I believe
>she left Kenya to study International Law with a focus on womens' rights.
>
>Just thinking out loud here folks, hopefully we can come up with what we
>need within the next 5 days or so.
>
>All the best to all of you, and most of all Susan,
>
>Michael Gori
>
>"Matthys, Deborah L Ms TACOM-RI" wrote:
>
>RPCVs,
>
>Please forward it to ALL RPCVs...
>
>Asanteni Sana,
>Debbie
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Deborah Matthys [mailto:matthys@...]
>Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 8:00 AM
>To: Deborah Matthys
>Subject: Fw: i need your help
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Norma Moran
>To: kenyaed00-02@yahoogroups.com, trishross39@...,
>cookie.roang@..., matthys@..., shahen@...,
>kkhender@..., lucyraekenya@..., megggs15@...
>Subject: Fw: i need your help
>Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:52:03 -0800 (PST)
>
>Jambo!
>
>Here is Susan's story of what transpired recently that led to her
>termination from PC/Kenya. Please feel free to forward this to other RPCVs
>and take action (writing a letter to the US Ambassador) if you wish.
>
>Salama,
>Norma
>
>----- Forwarded Message ----
>From: susan mugwe
>To:
>
>Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 7:43:30 AM
>Subject: i need your help
>
>Wow! I don't know what to say. I am so touched and humbled by the many
>emails you have all sent expressing support and love.
>
>Many of you have been asking how I am...I am angry, hurt, disappointed,
>embarrassed, worried and regretful.
>
>I know that many of you have expressed that you don't need to know all the
>gory details of what happened but I owe you all an explanation because I
>believe I have let many of you down and disappointed you all.
>I apologize that it is long and boring but for those that will have the
>time, I would like you to know exactly what happened. Also because I am
>asking for you help, I think you need to know what went down and from there
>decide if you still would like to help me or not and I will understand if
>you don't.
>
>Flashback to last year 2005...I was having a conversation with my son Mau
>and he asked me why I travel all the time and why I couldn't take him with
>me on some of my visits. After some explanation, I promised him that if he
>improved on his grades, I would take him with me the next time I travel.
>Sure indeed, his grades improved and in October I was to travel to Durban,
>South Africa. He was past the age where he could not be endorsed on my
>passport (this means that he could not travel on my passport and I had to
>get him a passport). When I was filling out the forms to apply for his
>passport, I realized there was a requirement that the child's father was
>supposed to sign giving consent that his son could acquire a passport and
>travel. I knew there was no way in hell his father would accept to sign
>that
>form, not because he did not want his son to travel but to pit my son
>against me just out of malice. So because of this reason, and a time
>constraint, (you all remember how things move at supersonic speed in
>KenyaJ)
>I asked a colleague to sign the form. He willingly obliged to do so.
>
>Fastforward to September 23, 2006. This was the week when I was making
>final
>decisions on trainee placements, making preparations for supervisors
>workshops, preparing supervisors handbooks, making all the logistics for
>the
>workshop, and November 1 is the due date for the annual peace corps report
>to Washington (remember all those tri annual reports you hated doing). The
>week before, my program assistant (PA) was sick and had been hospitalized.
>But when I visited him, he was even telling me he did not understand why
>the
>doctor hospitalized him yet he did not feel that extremely sick. So Sept
>23,
>I waited for an hour for the guy to come to work so that we could embark on
>all the things that needed to be done. After two hours, the guy had not
>shown up. So I called him and he told me that he had been given doctors bed
>rest for seven days and was going to be back in the office on Nov 1. Many
>months before I had kept asking him for his trip notes to some of the sites
>he had visited but up till this time, he had not given them to me. Also I
>had asked him to aggregate the numbers from the tri annual reports but he
>still had not done that up till this time. So to make informed decisions
>about where to place trainees, I needed detailed information about those
>sites. When I called him back for the information, he had switched off his
>phone and so I had no access to him. The morning of Sept 24 before I left
>for Kitui (training center) for final interviews with trainees, I wrote Bob
>an email expressing my frustration with this PA switching off his phone. He
>called me back at lunch time asking what I wanted to do about the situation
>and I told him that at the time I wrote the email, I was very frustrated
>but
>had since calmed down and that I had devised an alternative plan for all
>the
>work that was ahead of me.
>
>Fastforward to September 30 during the supervisors workshop. In the middle
>of facilitating a session, Bob recalled me back to the office. He accused
>me
>of lying to him regarding this PA and that in fact I am the one who had
>been
>harassing him including calling him at 2.30am (usiku).
>But he told me that in fact that was a lesser offence that I had committed
>a
>bigger offence. He told me that he took this PA out for lunch this Sept
>30th
>and the PA told him how one year ago, I had coerced him to sign the
>passport
>form, that I had threatened him if he didn't sign it and he only signed it
>under duress. Bob told me that he was going to take the matter up straight
>with the Human Resource (HR). I asked him why he was meeting with me
>without
>my accuser and he promised me that he would convene a meeting where the PA
>would be present. I also asked him to separate the issues and to try and
>see
>that this guy was trying to wiggle out of a situation where he had failed
>to
>perform in his duties and was using this as leverage. But Bob, would not
>even hear me out.
>
>So I received a call on Friday Nov 3 from HR who told me I was on
>administrative leave pending investigations. I was called to the HR office
>on Nov 7 and was questioned at length. There were many other allegations
>from this guy including that I had a romantic relationship with him, that
>some of the students on the pepfar scholarship were my relatives, etc..
>Again on Nov 13, I received another call from HR and they told me to go and
>see them on Nov 14. When I arrived Bob was there and that's when they told
>me that they were terminating my services because of the offence of the
>passport. I got no support from Bob at all. He did not even acknowledge my
>work despite this one mistake.
>
>Many of you have expressed willingness to help. I truly need your help.
>While being terminated, I was given the option to appeal to the Ambassador.
>If you would like to help, I would request that you email the Ambassador
>(RanneberME@...) or you can send a letter to the American Post Office
>here in the Kenyan Embassy. Unfortunately I don't know the number but I
>believe you guys can find it. If you send an email or write a letter, I
>would request that you confine it to me and don't throw Bob in the mix. It
>should not appear to be mud slinging. Also your subject should start with
>Peace Corps then my name so that they don't delete your emails thinking its
>spam. It would also be very helpful if you would copy Peace Corps
>Washington's director (am not sure of his
>name) and Henry McKoy who is in charge of Africa Peace Corps Programs.
>
>I may not work in Peace Corps again, but it is important to me that my
>reputation be cleared. It is unfortunate that the context in which I asked
>the PA to sign the form was not considered. This particular requirement is
>very discriminative towards women because Kenyan men are not required to
>get
>their spouses permission to have their kids get passports. Here was a
>spouse
>who for many years has not cared for his biological son, does not care what
>he eats, wears, if he goes to school, when he is sick etc yet the
>requirement is that he gives his consent??
>Which is a worse crime?? Remember, just because its legal, doesn't mean
>it's right.
>
>I don't have many days to make my appeal (only 10 and one has already
>lapsed) so I would appreciate if you could write those emails or letters as
>soon as your busy schedules allow you to. For those that I dont have their
>contacts, please feel free to circulate this to them.
>
>Again, I apologize for the long message and for letting you all down. If
>you can, please help me. Asanteni sana.
>
>You can reach me on 0723302784.
>
>Susan Mugwe

Susan Mugwe chasing Abraham out!!!

NEWSFLASH! NEWSFLASH!

(mzee bubu got this info on this from someone who won't tell his name)

Susan Mugwe have started a new school near Kitengle for primary, secondary, technical and college. For deaf children at primary and secondary, hearing interpreters students at college level. learn what? KSL/English interpreting. Hairdressing course. Metalwork etc.

Abraham Namukoa worked teacher where Kuja Secondary School at Rongo. Joel Mzungu of GDC ask him become student teacher tutor at Machakos Teachers College to support deaf students at MTC. Abraham say yes. Then Mugwe go and pinched Abraham, say MORE MONEY WAGE? Abraham say YES YES, jump Joel Mzungu's boat, leave for Kitengle for the new school as teacher of the deaf.

Mzee heard there is one deaf kid in primary department, 4 in secondary department, 9 in college and interpreting course. He heard Mugwe have money problem problem.

Now what happen? Mugwe have chased Abraham away from her school. Abraham said why? make lies false accurse. Mzee Bubu thinks Susan Mugwe's school now very bad shake up, maybe close down?

Mzee Bubu will write more about Susan Mugwe.