Monday, July 16, 2012

Nice to nice to know you let's to it again......


As our time in Tanzania draws short, we look back on the progress the students and school as a whole has made in just a year.  


I remember my first day at Check School, February 2, 2011.  Arika,Amy and I arrived and were promptly given a class of 25 2-4 year-old children and nothing more than a decrepit and glass ridden chicken coop for a classroom.


Students doing their work on the floor
(February 2011)
Pile of glass, wood and metal in the corner of our original classroom
(February 2011)

Thanks to the help and support of SO many people Cheka School is now unrecognizable.  Special shout-outs to all the members of the Cheka Volunteer Team (Amy, Arika, Gerallt, Wendy and Al).  We were able to come together as a team and dedicate our strengths to a unified vision.  Also big thanks to Gethy and Arjen and The Cheka Foundation!
I would personally like to thank the family and friends who have been so supportive of Cheka School and its wonderful children.  I value your contributions (both monetary and otherwise) and hope for continued support for many years to come.



Continue to check the blog for updates and information on the children.  The new school year begins January 2013 and we will be posting pictures and information on the new Cheka students!  In addition please follow us on Facebook and spread the word about Cheka School and it's mission: Providing a  free, quality education to the children of Tanzania. 





  

Just to make you smile....

here are a few of my favorites


Debora with her toothless grin

My old Tembo class from last year, now at Government School.
They come back to Cheka in the afternoons for supplementary lessons.

Elia
His smile absolutely melts my heart!

Loveness
As sweet as ever!

Namnyaki, Zhura, and Joanita
My pride and joy of last year!

Dorcas

Tembo and Kiboko made t-shirts!

Watching Ally eat 



Watching Debora "try" to eat without any teeth!

Zulfa
Cute as can be but such a mess!

Gloria
Rizi

Anethi and Rose
Best Friends!
Does it get any sweeter?
maybe this?




Ivon
The absolute joy this picture brings me!

Elia

Happy kids, excited to learn!  It doesn't get any better than this!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

Today the kids had a lot of fun helping me celebrate my dad's 70th birthday

First we started by coloring.....
Ivon

Diana, Neema M, Rizi

Rajabu

Kelvin
 Next we all lined up.... NIGHTMARE......

attempt #1
.
maybe a little better????
ok, perhaps just half the class was the way to go

 Finally I decided to break it down.........

HAPPY
70th


DAD

 Love you, Sissy

XOXO

Painting Day

 While we were busy painting a new mural.......

Moses was in charge of the Twiga 

Arika working on Simba







The kids were having fun with water colors

Elias and Ally

Robson

Wolfgang and Sharron


Sunday, June 17, 2012

2 Weeks of CHEKA-ing....













I am beyond impressed with the quality of education the students are receiving from our incredible teachers Happy and Thabeea.  The students have come such a long way.  The younger class (ages 3-4) are working on letter identification and sounds.  The older classes (5-6) are working on addition and English vocabulary.


 The new Cheka is both safe and stable, which is a relief for both the students, teachers and Volunteer Team.  Our staff is incredible.  We have two fabulous teachers, Herman our director and two guards 

 In addition we have continued setting up some of the Mamas with businesses of their own to support their families.  Some of the businesses include raising chickens, buying and re-selling carpet and selling fish and produce.
 


                      
Zulfa, Deborah, Ally, Jackson, and Lisa




 
Zabina enjoying a book

Moses, our amazing gaurd, always willing to help out!
 
LOVE Robson!

Rose, Wolfgang, and Deborah

Controlled CHAOS

Bardi Baby enjoying his porridge


Neema M., Rizi, Dorcus


Elia figuring out how to put hop scotch together

He DID it!



ZULFA!!!!  She can fit in the bag I'm bring home.  I've already tried it :)

Peter John- Have you ever seen a sweeter face? 

Prayer before dismissal

Rajabu- precious!
Love getting my hair done!
The only problem, it puts me to sleep! :)