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The Grace Journal is a place where Rev. Wambugu, and perhaps occasionally others of the Grace Ministries staff, will summarize the work of the day or week. We want you to feel that you are an active part of our work and our lives, and hope that this on-going journal of our activities – our joys, our sorrows, and our day-to-day work – will help to bring you more closely into our world.
God bless you for your interest and your support!
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 10:46 A.M. (Limuru time)
GRACE SCHOOL GOES FOR TERM BREAK.
Grace education calendar is in line with the Kenya’s education calendar of 3 months on and 1-month break with minor variations. The School is officially on break from the 29th July to 29th August. The teachers in collaboration with the parents have however agreed to break for one week and come back for two weeks then break for one week before resuming on August 29th. The two weeks are to be used for giving remedial assistance to the children who did not perform well in the end of the term evaluation examinations.
The week was very busy for all. The children were sitting for their end of term examinations and the teachers were busy marking and grading them. Our policy is to buy examination papers from professional examination bodies rather than the teachers making the exams. This helps to keep teachers on their toes to conform their teaching both to content and depth with the national curriculum followed by all schools.
Two children Fatuma in class four and Ann in Class three were unable to write their examination because they were sick. Fatuma struggled and came to school on Tuesday but started vomiting on arrival. She was given a place to sleep in the staff room. Her condition gradually became worse. We telephoned for a taxi and I (Samuel) took her to hospital. She was prescribed medicines to buy. I bought the medicines and took her home. I visited both children Friday and they are doing well.
There was a staff meeting on Thursday after the children went home for term break at 11 am. I Chair the meeting and Jane the Head teacher is the secretary. The agenda of the meeting was to evaluate our individual performance as reflected by the children examination results. We noted that on the overall Grace performance is of very high quality. The mean scores in most subjects were above 70%. Girls did better than boys. Rachel led with 90% in Mathematics and broke the myth that Mathematics is for boys. There were however notable weaknesses on a particular subject reflective of the teacher’s performance. All the teachers agreed to the observation and agreed to give this teacher the assistance he may require next term to improve his teaching and consequently good performance by children. This was a friendly reprimand and a warning that he has to show results by next term if he is to continue being a member of the team.
The staff planned that the Annual Education tour should come in October subject to funds. The cost of the tour is $ 10 per child. It is only 20 out of 80 children whose parents are able to pay this money. The trip is educative; full of fun and the children always looks forward to it. It helps the children appreciate the diversity of our country’s geographical, cultural and animal heritage. The children will see the Great Rift Valley, go down the escarpment, visit a historical site, see an active volcano and finally tour Lake Nakuru National Park the home of the world famous Flamingo birds.
Staff commented on the good reports they hear from the parents and the community. They say that Grace School is very clean with excellent teaching and well-behaved children. One teacher said that she knows the reason and all were attentive to hear the reason. She pointed to the writing bearing the school motto: “ Excelling by the grace of God”. To this we all give glory and praise to God.
“FAITH GIFT” TO GRACE SCHOOL:
Katie Norrel and her fiancé Jason are getting married on September 2,2005. These dear ones have designated all wedding gifts from friends and families to Grace School. We are already cerebrating this unfrequented expression of love and trust to us. May the Lord be gracious and shower these dear ones with his joy and satisfaction as they obey His instruction of becoming wife and husband.
The meeting closed with prayer from Pastor James the Assistant Administrator at 1pm.
Rev. Samuel Wambugu
(Administrator)
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, July 23, 2005 at 09:50 A.M. (Limuru time)
THE WEEK HAS BEEN VERY BUSY
All the ministries of Grace converged together this week making it very busy.
MONDAY:
Ann who is single, HIV positive and mother of tow of our children George and Mary arrived at 8.30. It was her day to attend clinic so that she could get her refill on ART medication. She had no money to go to the hospital and on top of that she had no food in her home. We were able to help her with an equivalent of $20.
WEDNESDAY:
Rev. Andrew Ngugi the Presbytery Clerk of AEPC Central Presbytery visits Grace School. It was his first time to visit the School. He was overwhelmed by the good work going on at the School and he was a great encouragement to the teachers.
THURSDAY:
The School receives some monetary gift that went to the 10 am tea and bread. Samuel went to see a reputable Dr. in Nairobi because of Diabetes. His blood sugar and pressure were found to be within limit, but his kidneys needed immediate attention. He will be going for three days clinic every week for the next one month. This requires prayers for funds for it is costs $35 per visit.
FRIDAY:
This is 13th week since we began 2nd term, which is supposed to be 14 weeks long. Children started writing examination that will go until Wednesday next week. This covers all they have learned this year with emphasis on the work covered this term.
There was also some encouraging news from Dan McDowell concerning a possible donation of Feminine sanitary pads to the maturing girls at Grace School. This is in response to an appeal that Jane made.
Samuel
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, July 16, 2005 at 10:26 A.M. (Limuru time)
JANTZ VISIT GRACE SCHOOL
The high lighty of the week was the visit by Warren and Sue Jantz from Oklahoma. The Janz came to know about the ministry of Grace School through Grace School webpage. The Jantz were coming to Limur to teach on Family healing and enrichment through the invitation of ALARM. They brough a box of assorted items like clothes and school supplies. Jane the Head teacher shared the few cloth items to the most needy children. There were also big pants which proved handy to some teachers. We are very happy with this vist and hope that many more people will come to know of our ministry through our website.
Samuel
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, July 09, 2005 at 3:47 P.M. (Limuru time)
A VERY COLD WEEK
The week continued to be very cold. Children stayed inside the classrooms with doors and windows shut. Our rooms are nicely constructed and they preserve heat. The though requires extra warm clothes. We are looking next week with anticipation as a couple from Oklahoma will be visiting Grace School and has promised to bring polos for the children.
Girls who were small have grown. This raised concern if they know their body biology and physiology. Jane and Nelly started Girl Child program that will be meeting on Tuesdays. They will be taught about sexuality and personal hygiene. The problem is that most of these girls cannot afford sanitary pads.
The mid morning tea has been of immense help to the children and teachers in mitigating the cold weather.
Mrs. Jane Njenga
(Head Teacher)
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, July 02, 2005 at 10:46 A.M. (Limuru time)
A PERIOD OF ANXIETY AND STRESS
The last week of the month is a period of anxiety and stress to both Administration (In particular Samuel), teachers and children. For the children and teachers, it is time for monthly tests. The best performing children are recognized by being given badges that show what they did best i.e. BEST IN SCIENCE. The children pin these badges on their pullovers and are very happy when wearing them. They have to work very hard to maintain the badges all they are taken away by another better performer next month.
I Samuel have to figure where to get the staff support (Salaries). We currently get below half of our monthly needs as regular gifts from friends and churches. It is a moment that I claim the many promises of God to both the School needs and my family needs. God is always faithful and he has always supplied through unexpected gifts from supporting churches and friends. This stress however leaves toil in my health. My blood sugar and pressure becomes very high resulting to severe headache, pain in the legs and lack of sleep. I look forward to seeing a Doctor for this problem. I have also remained busy writing Grace Newsletter for the 2nd Quarter 2005.
Samuel
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Please know that your donation can help, not only to save the life of a child in Limuru, but to guide that life in such a way as to loosen the stranglehold of despair and death that threatens so much of Kenya's population. Thank you, in advance, for your compassionate support!
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