Rest and relaxation

1)The lush vegetation 2)relaxing 3)the forest canopy

These teachers are amazing for their stamina and tolerance. It is very hot right now and hard to find a cooling draft of air. After the wonderful three days of teaching we took off for some R & R at RondoRetreat Centre in the Kakamega Forest. When you fly over you can see how little is left of the trees that once extended from coast to coast. The beautiful trees, flowers and animals of the forest create a whole different world from the dirt and noise of the town.

The school where we interviewed students for scholarships recently is at the gate to the forest. There is a new head teacher and I wanted to be sure to leave him messages and information about the children we will be helping, so we stopped off to visit for a few minutes.

In the past the majority of places in Form 1 in National (the best) schools have been taken by students from private schools with small classes and sufficient resources. This year the Ministry made a new system whereby most places go to public schools, especialy in the district. There is a big outcry from the private schools, but it looks as if the system will hold firm. Two students from one of my rural schools have been 'called' to National schools. The only problem remaining is the issue of fees. Some students will not be able to take up the offer of a place because their families are not able to meet the fees. But it is a good start on equalizing the system which gives such an unfair advantage to privileged children.