These are the children of Gambella Primary School, grades 1 through 8, in front of their new sign on the very last day of the school year. There are well over 100 students enrolled now. Just a couple of years ago, before Global Hope began working alongside Gambella, there was no school, just a few students who met under a tree with a teacher. We are so proud of the work this village has done in a few short years that the least we could do was buy some paint for a school sign for them. It was my dad’s idea. The headmaster loved it. The teachers decided I should do the lettering, so I freehanded the text with chalk and then my dad and Abdi, one of the teachers, helped me when it came time to paint. Yup, painted at Gambella Primary School, giving the students a small, tangible token of my pride in their immense efforts and dedication, in spite of the obstacles they face.
This is what I did yesterday.
wow, that is too cool!! what a great idea your Dad had…and i’m with chicknmama: post more pics of YOU working! it’s pretty cool!
you look so pretty! You should post some more pics of YOU doing things in Africa on your blog–it’s interesting.
AWWWW, this soooo makes me want to go! I want to go and help…do something! And the nursing mama…melt my heart!
This is awesome. Not only are you educating the world about the people in Africa but your also learning a lifetime experience and the pride that comes with it.
awesome!! i just have a question… do they speak english?
i just got back from my missions trip to honduras and it was amazing. i can def relate to your posts and tweets… so much to say but it’s hard to find the right words! praying the rest of your trip is amazing!
southern love and prayers from alabama!
Yes, the national language of Kenya is Swahili, but the official language is English. The students are taught in English in the schools…even all the way out in Gambella!
Wonderful!!
Very cool!
AWESOME! I wonder how many more students will enjoy it as the school will surely continue to grow. Did you buy paint from local vendors? I think helping other countries is terrific, thank goodness for groups like yours.
Keep the updates flowing I love to see things accomplished
As a member of a church with an immense focus on global mission, I can appreciate very much, your partnership with this community. Oftentimes organizations come in to an area, do their “relief work” and leave, never to return. I love the idea of partnering with a community and revisiting. For them to see you return, to really fully invest in their lives is so transformational. Much moreso than sending a check.
Horray for their school. For the end of a school year. For learning and community and education.
What a tremendous endeavor and I LOVE the photos. There is someone else with access to your camera who has “quite an eye!”
Blessings to you on this trip.
How neat – thanks for sharing I, too enjoy seeing you in the photos for a change.
I love seeing your face in the pictures too! You are amazing!
I’ll second Cathy’s comment – LOVE! And glad to see you got out from behind the lens!
Burning hot tears and a lump in my throat–We in America cannot begin to understand what this small token of pride and love meant to them. Way to go, MckMama–God’s love extended to them in such a humble way–God love you precious child of His.
Beautiful!
“AWESOME!!!”……YEP, THAT’S ABOUT ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THAT
TOTALLY AWESOME!!! HOW DO WE BUILD MORE SCHOOLS…OR PARTS TO ADD TO THAT ONE?? I’M SURE WHEN YOU GET BACK YOU CAN DO A POST ON HOW TO HELP DONATE..I WOULD LOVE TO!!
you look so relaxed and like you are where you are supose to be, haha it just kicked my comment back saying i have already said that. Funny i do not remember saying that
you look so relaxed and like you are where you are supose to be
Brilliant!!! Keep them coming.
I am a long time fan, but rarely comment.
Can you explain to me how the economics of this trip works? I really don’t mean this is any bad way, but wouldn’t the plane fare alone pay for local people to build the school? Does the fund raising via your blog outway the donation of the plane ticket? Most of our charity work is local, so I am quite curious how this works.
Good luck!
I know she has answered this before but I can’t remember exactly how she put it. My take on it is one of two things. She is bringing far more awareness from going and blogging about it so we can see first hand than she would if she just sent the money for a school and told us she did it. It’s a great way for the sponsors to feel connected and to garner more interest in a personal way.
Secondly, GHNI isn’t about just sending money and letting them fend for themselves. It’s about teaching, sharing knowledge and experience, so that they can pass it on and they can become sustainable.
LOVE!
…and I love seeing your face in some of these pics!