SOS Children’s Village Eldoret Celebrate Valentine’s Day

I was walking to work on Thursday morning and was treated to an exciting start of the day when I met some of our youth. They were all jovial and greeted me with “happy valentine” I had almost forgotten about Valentine's Day since I was more preoccupied with pressing work. Then I shifted gear.

Two days ago, I bumped on 3 of our Kindergarten pupils on their way from school with all sorts of flowers and they were singing, and jumping. Indeed this was a tell tale sign that St. Valentine had arrived and that the infectious mood had caught up with all and sundry. Every child had a flower, never mind the colour, which they gave to teachers, mothers and their friends. The signature tune before any conversation was “happy valentine”.

The most romantic day of the year is upon us and there has never been a better time to show the special someone in your life how much you care. Valentine's Day matters. Like it or not. Some love it - embracing the opportunity to express their feelings for someone special. Others hate it - dreading the pressure of coming up with just the right card and gift, or being reminded that they have no Valentine.

For us here in the village, Valentine's Day sneaked up on us and we agreed not to make too big a deal of it. Our Village Director in a kind gesture took us out for a meal.. The weather was a good one, hot and humid. It was very romantic.We went to the Kenmosa restaurant. We'd eaten there many times before and the food was good. The restaurant was decked out in white and red table cloths. The spacious shaded grounds provided a comfortable area for sitting, eating and sharing.. You could not ask for a better time in celebration of St. Valentine's Day and no better friends and acquaintances to share the occasion.

The mothers were outstanding and looked sharp in their black skirts and red or pink tops. Everybody was filled with happy and relaxed faces.

We sat in a circle after the meal and shared our experiences about the day.. “May this love transcend to the children we take care of”, one member of staff said.

The Village Director, Mr. Peter Mungai observed that he who loves also receives love and urged the staff to stick together and show love to one another".

by Fredrick Ochieng Youth Leader Coordinator

School programmes disrupted by post-election violence

The effects of post-election violence in Kenya continue to reverberate throughout the country. Though the fighting has subsided from its peak immediately after the elections in late December, tension remains high with political opponents divided along ethnic lines.
Many lives have been lost in the ongoing violence and thousands of families have been displaced in most parts of the country.

The situation is probably more precarious for school going children whose fundamental right to education has been disrupted as arsonists have destroyed homes, churches and schools. Such devastating events have especially affected the Rift Valley, where the SOS Children’s Village Eldoret is situated. The magnitude of the violence has not spared the teachers some of whom have borne the brunt of the mayhem.

Although schools have reopened many students have not reported back. Students were stuck in their home areas, as roads were barricaded and public transport made insecure by gangs armed with crude weapons. Fears for the safety of some of the SOS high school children, who were learning in different schools across the country (some of which have been burnt), have led to their transfer to the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Secondary School in Eldoret. Many other students are still in IDP camps where they have sought refuge. There seems to be no chance of going back to their former schools anytime soon.

According to the principal of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Eldoret, Elijah Omobe, the post election violence is weighing heavily on the school programme. "We are experiencing frequent disruption of our daily programmes due to fear" he said. "Any slight unease sends parents in a panic rush to get their children out of school for their safety." Recently, a member of parliament was shot dead in Eldoret causing more violet protests.

Teachers in the school admit that they might be forced to push the programmes into the school holiday so as to cover what has been lost. The principal acknowledged that the teachers are not settled and are fearful of their security. One of the teachers received threats to vacate his home. Another teacher had his house vandalized and household property looted. He is now living with friends as he comes to school to teach. His parents are living in the displacement camp in Eldoret. Fellow teachers have expressed solidarity with their colleague and assisted them with clothes. Yet another teacher had her house vandalized.

Some of the teachers from the targeted communities are already considering transfers, while others consider quitting. “We are trying to reassure the affected teachers and asking them to calm down on the assumption that things will improve", said the principal.

Many students have suffered emotional and psychological trauma and may be unable to cope with high demands of schooling, added Mr. Elima, the acting SOS Herman Gmeiner School head teacher. “We are experiencing a strain in obtaining school resources because our suppliers cannot access the required educational materials," he explained. “This is the fourth week since we placed our order to the supplier, he laments. Nothing has been forthcoming”.

The current Form Four candidates have been hardest hit, having lost nearly four weeks, and considering that they will be sitting a national examination at the end of this year. The school is trying to reach out to the children and has established counselling services through the guidance and counselling department while the children try to catch up on their work.

SOS Mothers Elect New Representative

On 16 January, the SOS mothers assembled to elect their mother representative for the next two years. The proceedings took place at the Village Director’s Office where Mama Peninah was elected the new mother representative. Mama Ngudi was elected the new assistant mother representative. Mama Peninah will be taking over from Mama Lavinia who has served her two year term.

Mama Lavinia expressed her thanks and appreciation to the mothers and staff for their support throughout her 2-year in term. She stated that many good things had happened during her term in office and that her duties and had been varied and interesting. She hoped that the mutual cooperation between the mothers and the management would be further strengthened in the years to come. She urged the mothers to give the new representative the same support, adding that the work of a mother rep is quite challenging but can be made easier if the mothers stand solidly behind their representative.

The Village Director Peter Mungai congratulated the newly elected rep. He is confident that the Mama Peninah will be equal to the task.

The mother representative interfaces with the administrative office in the running of the village.