Chekechea Goes On Excursion

For a while everyone was worried that the 'long' rains might not come this

year. But eventually they did come...

Some girls and boys were lucky enough to get a 'lift' to school with mama, baba or big brother.

Those who were not so lucky needed help to deal with matope (the mud) before coming into the classroom.

While they can be a little inconvenient the long rains are joyfully welcomed by everyone. You only have to look at the Kesho Leo shamba (farm) to see why. The ground that had been so carefully prepared and planted by Eve and the farm team was suddenly alive...lush and vibrant with a wonderful variety of fruits and vegetables.

So where could be a better place for our chekechea (preschool) to go on our first excursion.

The children examined the plants

with mwalimu Margaret.

They were keen to name the plants they saw. Many of the children were able to name most of the plants.

Omari explained the dodoki plant. If the dodoki is harvested early it can be eaten as a vegetable. If it is allowed to mature and dry it makes a perfect loofah. Just like the ones we buy at the Body Shop.

Here with mwalimu Helen the children had a turn to plant a didoki seed. The seedlings will be planted in the shamba and when the didoki is harvested we will be able to use them in cooking and personal health lessons.

After planting a seed the children experimented with playdough with nurse Karen.

This day, as is every day in the chekechea was 'siku nzuri sana' a very good day.

Posted by Helen Campbell

Education manager