Lost in a Sugar Cane Field

Namundera SS is the furthest school from Kakamega. Located in the Mumias District, it can be hard to find. And it was. Malik, Ben, Chrispus and I had ventured over fascinating territory and they previously had visited the school. Roadways in Kenya are basically a maze. They all look similar, red dirt to show the iron content. There are no signs. Traditional thatched roof homes and shambas dot the countryside where maize fields, vegetable gardens open up to larger vistas where goats and livestock graze. Banana trees grow in abundance in this lush area. Kakamega is blessed with more rain than much of Kenya. Plants are up to 8 feet in height. The downside is that visibility is limited. The locals are fine but the rest of us are basically scuppered. Children will suddenly appear on the road and just as quickly disppear into the shelter of the sugar stalks. They love to chew on the sweet parts of the plant. One is never far from a sugar fix.

We had to face the fact that we were lost. We were in the right part of the country and were heading in the right general direction...still lost. One young lad pointed in one direction while another older gentleman pointed in the opposite. After 30 minutes of driving we found ourselves back at the same place. The boy was still there and he promised we would make it if we but followed his advice. He ran behind us to ensure we found the path. It wasn't even a roadway. The sugar cane on either side made it look more like a jungle pathway. Could this be the way to Namundera SS? Following a 30 degree slope we came upon a large hole that was poised to swallow us whole. Our navigator and pilot Malik Khaemba skillfully brought us around the impasse. Still no school. Would we ever make it on time?...no, we were already 20 minutes late.

We had no choice but to proceed. There was no space to turn around. Then like sailors just having seen land we shouted, "there it is!" And they were all waiting for us. We had emerged from the midst of a sugar cane field to an open area with marvellous vistas on all sides. We had arrived, unscathed.

Namundera SS is a mixed school that was started by the Society of Friends in 2001. Four students led the way. Today there are 180. Principal Henry Sisambaoyeki and his Deputy Ernest Sisa Wafula were happy to show us around. In all the Friends Secondary Schools it was ranked second in Kenya. It was also ranked 8th in the Province with a fantastic mean grade of 5.5. Besides that, Namundera had recently achieved an outstanding award in the Kenya National Choir Competition placing third overall.

Seven teachers and three Board members greeted us in the staff room. I had opportunity to speak to staff about the fact that although isolated they should feel proud that they were making a strong contribution to their community. They were delighted to receive Canadian flag pins. Principal Sisambaoyeki spoke of his staff as a team. I sensed a unity among them...they truly enjoyed each other.

We met with our four students and they greeted us warmly. Besides that, I met James Wasike, a 2007 CES Canada grad who is planning on going to college next year. In the meantime he has returned to Namundera SS to work as a volunteer teacher's assistant. It has been gratifying to see that happening in a number of our schools. James has been a role model for Mary, Salima, Terrylyne and Saumu as well as the rest of the student body.

Mary Kandia (F3) stands 2nd out of a class of 51. She wants to become a Doctor.

Salima Nabali (F2) stands 2nd in a class of 39. She wants to be a Teacher.

Terrylyne Kasawa (F1) stands 2nd of 44 in her class. She wants to be a Teacher.

Saumu Abdalla (F1) stands 23 of 44 in her class. She also wants to be a Teacher. When asked why her grades were dropping she indicated that she was living alone and that she had no parafin to light a lamp for study at night.

I cannot imagine how this girl manages. Living alone without support, she faithfully attends school each day. The poverty she experiences is so acute that a bit of parafin is a luxury she cannot afford. Saumu is but 14 years of age.

As we emerged from the office of the Principal I looked out over the playing firld. The entire student body had quietly taken chairs from their classrooms, placed them in the shade of some beautiful trees and were sitting patiently waiting. I was to address the entire student body. As we moved toward them they started singing. One voice led while the others followed. I was mesmerized with the tonality and beauty of the sound. Students looked so incredible in their pink tops and dark blue pants or skirts, each with a blue tie to finish off the uniform.

Mary and Salima had garlands in their hands and they were moving and swaying to the singing. For a moment I thought I was in Hawaai. After bringing greetings I invited James Wasike to join me. I congratulated him for his achieving the KCSE. I told the students about Canada and lastly I talked to them about the fact that they were the future of Kenya. By going as far as they could in school they had the potential to make a good life for themselves, to make a difference in their community and to strengthen their nation. Finally, I asked the entire group to stand and sing the National Anthem in Swahili. It was a proud moment for me, for our students, for Malik, Ben and Chrispus and for the entire school.

I received a beautiful gift, a carving that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Each student came up at the end and gave us the three handshake routine..first a regular shake, then a 90 degree turn to lock thumbs and finally a regular shake to end it...180 times 3 shakes...you do the math. Now that was fun. It gave me enough time to say asante sana to each student.