Classroom Connections

By ROB FOX, Diocesan Schools Adviser

FOR two years a project has been in the planning to link schools and parishes in the Diocese of Chelmsford with schools in the partner Dioceses of Embu, Kirinyaga, Meru and Mbeere in Kenya.

In October 2006 the Kenya Schools Partnership Project was launched and six schools and parishes were selected for the first phase, with a visit planned for May 2007.

For the first phase of the project it was decided to concentrate on linking with the Dioceses of Embu and Kirinyaga.

Fifteen people made up the party travelling to Kenya in May - Revd Canon Roger Matthews (Director of Mission and Ministry), Mrs Lesley Barlow (Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education), six school representatives, six parish representatives and I.

The schools and parishes represented were the church schools in Moreton, Copford, White Notley, Thorpe Le Soken, Burnham-on-Crouch and the community school, Buttsbury Juniors, Billericay.

The group flew out to Kenya on the Friday night of half-term with teachers giving up their holiday time. On Sunday, the group attended services at the cathedrals in Embu and Kirinyaga. This was most people's first experience of African Anglican worship which was full of enthusiasm and amazing singing.
The only challenge for Church of England visitors was that both services lasted four hours!

On Monday, both groups met at the respective diocesan offices with the bishops, education secretaries and headteachers of the schools that they were linking with. They then went to the schools for their first visit.

"It was only a matter of moments before I realised what an overwhelming and generous welcome we were about to receive when we walked into the grounds of Ciamanda Primary School in Embu."
Linda Wicks, Buttsbury Juniors, Billericay

The group in Embu was hosted for the night by school staff. For some of them this was quite an experience - one head teacher had to walk across a swamp to reach the host's home and peel potatoes for supper with a machete!

"We learned a tremendous amount about life and education in rural Kenya. Staying overnight with our host headmaster was a real privilege and gave us an insight into the Kenyan way of life that we would never
have had just staying in our hotel." Les Sheppard, Christ Church, Billericay

The following day all groups returned to their schools for a second day. They all had an amazing time with many stories to tell. They got to know the staff and spent time with the pupils. It was an experience they will never forget.

They were all struck by the hospitality of the schools. At the end of the second day it
was very difficult to prise people away from the schools.

"Our experience at Githua-ini Primary School was both moving and humbling. We were amazed at what the Kenyan schools are able to achieve with so few resources. Our new friendship and links with the
school will have a great impact on life at St Mary's Burnham."
Geraldine Denham-Hale and Justine Page, St Mary's Burnham.

After three intensive days in the dioceses the group spent 24 hours at Mountain Lodge, a safari lodge on the slopes of Mount Kenya, which was a time to relax together and catch up with our experiences.

The following day we returned to Embu where we had a final meeting with Bishop Henry and the two Education Secretaries. This was a very positive meeting which underlined the success of the visit on both
sides. There was a strong commitment to continue and develop our partnership. That fternoon, we visited St Andrew's Theological College at Kibare and joined the students in their weekly Eucharist which once again was a wonderful experience of Anglican African worship.

The next day it was time to head for Nairobi and home, tired but elated by our very special
time with new friends.  We have to thank all our Kenyan hosts, the diocesan bishops, the education secretaries, the headteachers and the teachers for their welcome and fantastic hospitality which helped
to make our visit so successful and enjoyable.

This was a visit that none of us will forget and we hope is the beginning of a strong partnership between the schools and parishes in Chelmsford and our partner dioceses in Kenya.

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