Class showers Kenyan pupils with surprises

Westfield youth send small gifts, money, candy, letters.

By Katie Robbins
Katie.Robbins@TheNoblesvilleLedger.com
February 7, 2006

WESTFIELD — When asked about a school far away in Africa, students in Sadie Smith’s class light up with smiles and also concern about students in need.

Over the summer, Smith and her husband, traveled to Kenya with the help of an Eli Lilly Endowment grant.

While there, Smith visited a school in Turbo and brought back memories of what she saw to her seventh-grade Westfield Middle School language-arts classes.

“They need a toilet facility and maintenance on the building,” Smith said of the conditions of the school. She said the impoverished students that attend the rural Kenyan school also need books and other items to continue their day-to-day life.

“The school has no glass windows and it’s really hot because they have no air (conditioning),” said student Katie Virgin.

Since learning about the school for kindergartners through eighth-graders, Smith said the students in her classes have become passionate about sending money and small items to the students.

“We sent letters to the kids and asked if they like going to school and what their favorite subject is,” said Alexys Sena, another student.

The class also sent candy, toys, rubber bracelets, bubbles and pens and pencils.

Some money has also been sent to Kenya, by way of Smith’s friend, that will be used to help orphans that can’t afford to go to school.

“When we found out about the conditions, we were disheartened to hear about that,” said student Taylor Walton. “Seeing the pictures automatically makes people want to help.”

Nicole Robinson said when she and her classmates found out about how poor the students are, they started collecting money. The students had a candy drive at the school with leftover Halloween treats.

“Everyone really wanted to help because they (Kenyan students) have no money and sometimes they live where there’s eight people in one hut,” said Dylan Smith.

Since sending the box in November — which didn’t arrive until January — the students have been anxiously awaiting response letters from their newly acquired friends.

“We are all pretty excited about this,” said Zylar Wright. “We spent a week writing the letters and we can’t wait to see how they respond.”

Article from The Noblesville Ledger.com