Ramula Mixed Secondary School

After our trip up the hill we took a short bus ride to the Ramula school.  This high school has approximately 100 students and now receives government funding.  Students range from Form One to Form Four (what we would call grade 9 -12) and both boys and girls attend the same school.  It is considered a "day school" meaning that the students come in the morning and go home at night.  This type of high school is unusual here and by many perceived to be an inferior method to providing education.  Boarding schools are favoured but the fees to attend these schools are higher due to the cost of room and board.  This of course leads to fewer students because not all can afford these increased fees.  John told the students how pleased he was to visit a day school and he told them that this type of secondary school is the norm in Canada.

CanAssist water tanks make water more accessible!

The Principal of the school gave us a short tour of her office and some of the grounds.  Dan spoke about CanAssist's contribution of two large water tanks which provide much needed water to the students.  A request was made for support for their food program.  Students are served a hot lunch each day and presently the meals are cooked in an outbuilding over an open wood fire.  After discussing several issues John suggested that CanAssist would look into purchasing a high efficient wood stove, much like the one used at the Nkuyen School in the Masai Mara.  This stove has a large cooking surface but requires significantly less wood.  Benefits for all!

Food for 100 student is prepared here each day.

The students welcomed us into one of their classrooms and performed a speech, song, and poem.  The Principal gave a short speech as well and then invited us all outside into the courtyard to mix, mingle and chat more informally.  I had the opportunity to meet the math and physics teacher and shared with him that my husband teaches math as well.  I asked him about the physical education program and he explained that it is limited due to lack of supplies but that the students do play sports such as soccer and hand-ball.  I asked about basketball, my favourite sport, and he indicated that they have a hoop but no ball.  I need to fix that before I go.  That conversation got me thinking about how great it would be to encourage basketball in this area.  We could start our own MBA, Mbita Basketball Association!  I dream big!

Math Teachers!