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First Day of School for African Sky Kenya
May 4, 2010
It's the first day of the semester for the secondary school students in Seme, Kenya, and when they arrived for their first classes, they met one of their new teachers and coaches, Steve Feldman, AS Kenya Co-Director. Feldman is working with 3rd and 4th form students, and has Kenyan teachers as his mentors and colleagues.
In just over a month in East Africa, Feldman has a new Kenyan family, and he has laid the groundwork for what will be an exciting collaboration with the school and community in Seme. Feldman also obtained his official teaching permit through the Secondary School in Seme. Co-Director Caleb Mooty remains in the U.S. as he oversees a few more fundraising events and project logistics, and he will join Steve in Kenya very soon.
In his host family and community, Steve is known as Stephen Otieno ("born at night"). While living in Seme, Steve and Caleb will serve as teaching assistants and coaches while they learn about the resources and dreams of his host community. In his first weeks in Seme, Steve has identified several project ideas with the help of his hosts and mentors: teaching chemistry and biology, creating a library (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and textbooks), training student librarians, develop a health club with his students, a new women's toilet, gym equipment, a writing competition, and more.
Currently Feldman is teaching Chemistry and Biology, and he is focusing much of his attention on the health club he is creating with some of his students. "This is actually where I'm thinking I can have the greatest influence," Feldman says. "I can be a sort of mentor, and talk with these kids about all sorts of life issues." The health club will explore and discuss a variety of topics relevant to young men and women (relationships with family and peers; decisions about dating; ambitions and goal management; drinking; gender based violence; HIV, malaria and nutrition.
Feldman and Mooty have raised some funds to support their Kenyan host school, and they are seeking additional help through friends, family, and a special African Sky Kenya Facebook page. The first priority for project funding is for teaching materials (microscope, books, writing materials, etc.) and printing costs for worksheets and homework assignments.
Steve is hosted by the family of Oby Obyerodhyambo. His school mentors and supervisors are Mr. Nyawanda (Principal) and Mr. Lalo Mbiji (Chairman).
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