Some important changes are taking place in the world of Elimu.
Congratulations are in order, firstly, to Sally Sang who is the newly appointed deputy headteacher at Kipsamo School, one of our partners and where she has taught English since 2010. Sally, who was dubbed 'Superwoman' on one of our school trips, has been Elimu's Representative in Kenya but now, with even less time to spare than usual (there is also a new house to build), it is no longer possible for her to do this. She is keen though to stay involved, and we are keen to keep her counsel, so I am delighted to say that she is moving to the Advisory Board with Andy Cooper and Clare Deacon. They all offer sound advice and support for Elimu's ups and downs and with any flashes of inspiration I think I'm having, whilst providing a few of their own.
We all wish Sally well as deputy head - and look forward to visiting her in her new home!
This has coincided with recent events concerning our Kenyan schools. As a result of which, it was decided that rather than find another rep. we should look instead at having an In-country Manager. This role, therefore, is designed specifically to create a consistent presence for Elimu among our Kenyan partner schools with a locally based link between the charity and the schools.
While I am able to do this for our partner schools in the UK, as I am based here, it is important that our Kenyan schools are equally involved and supported. To this end, I would like to introduce Solomon Lagat.
Solomon will visit the schools regularly and compile feedback reports on their link activities and how they are doing more generally. He will also help to ensure that should any issues arise in the schools for which they may need further support or which could compromise their work with Elimu and with the UK schools, these can be addressed in person as well and not solely at a distance or during set visits that I make.
Solomon is a former Nandi Hills teacher with a diploma in Special Educational Needs from the Kenya Institute of Education in Nairobi. Special Educational Needs remains a relatively new area in education in Africa and for the moment he is working for the Kenya Judiciary as a Court Interpreter in Kericho, where he and his family now live. Kericho - tea country - is on the way to Nandi Hills. His position as Court Interpreter includes transcribing for the blind and for those who cannot read or write.
Solomon will be an asset to the Elimu Foundation and to our partner schools in Kenya and I am very much looking forward to working with him.
I also welcome aboard Aziz Kiplaget as our Project Manager who will be overseeing the development of Stalion school, once this project can commence. Aziz is another teacher from Nandi Hills who now teaches in the nearby city of Eldoret and occasionally works as an exam invigilator. Aziz is known for his management skills and comes highly recommended to take on this role which will mean managing our building team, visiting the project site and reporting on its progress. So, thank you very much to Aziz.
As some of you may recall, the role had previously been George Tarus'. However, George is now focusing his time and energies on his bid to stand as MP for Nandi Hills in the next elections, in 2013. George has been invaluable in his support for Elimu. This, though, has been a long standing ambition for a number of years. We will be watching closely along with everyone in Nandi Hills to see how things unfold from here and we both thank him and wish him the very best with everything.
And finally... some news of my own. As of this past July, I am no longer teaching at Charles Darwin School and although I have loved it and will miss it, I have felt torn in wanting to spend more time on Elimu than teaching can allow for. The last few weeks have been a welcome opportunity to redress that balance. Charles Darwin is a partner to Elimu, so it is not the end either as the school and I will continue to work together. As Elimu is for the time being voluntarily run, I am fortunate in starting a new job this week at The Times Educational Supplement (TES). Having written for the education press before, this role, assisting the editorial and teaching resources team with room for development - and time for Elimu - has come along just at the right moment, and very happily so.
Good luck, then, to all of us and to our UK partner schools, Charles Darwin, The Priory and Bishop Justus, as they gear up for the start of a new academic year.
With thanks,
Jo
Congratulations are in order, firstly, to Sally Sang who is the newly appointed deputy headteacher at Kipsamo School, one of our partners and where she has taught English since 2010. Sally, who was dubbed 'Superwoman' on one of our school trips, has been Elimu's Representative in Kenya but now, with even less time to spare than usual (there is also a new house to build), it is no longer possible for her to do this. She is keen though to stay involved, and we are keen to keep her counsel, so I am delighted to say that she is moving to the Advisory Board with Andy Cooper and Clare Deacon. They all offer sound advice and support for Elimu's ups and downs and with any flashes of inspiration I think I'm having, whilst providing a few of their own.
We all wish Sally well as deputy head - and look forward to visiting her in her new home!
This has coincided with recent events concerning our Kenyan schools. As a result of which, it was decided that rather than find another rep. we should look instead at having an In-country Manager. This role, therefore, is designed specifically to create a consistent presence for Elimu among our Kenyan partner schools with a locally based link between the charity and the schools.
While I am able to do this for our partner schools in the UK, as I am based here, it is important that our Kenyan schools are equally involved and supported. To this end, I would like to introduce Solomon Lagat.
 |
| Solomon Lagat, In-country Manager |
Solomon is a former Nandi Hills teacher with a diploma in Special Educational Needs from the Kenya Institute of Education in Nairobi. Special Educational Needs remains a relatively new area in education in Africa and for the moment he is working for the Kenya Judiciary as a Court Interpreter in Kericho, where he and his family now live. Kericho - tea country - is on the way to Nandi Hills. His position as Court Interpreter includes transcribing for the blind and for those who cannot read or write.
Solomon will be an asset to the Elimu Foundation and to our partner schools in Kenya and I am very much looking forward to working with him.
 |
| Aziz Kiplaget, Project Manager |
As some of you may recall, the role had previously been George Tarus'. However, George is now focusing his time and energies on his bid to stand as MP for Nandi Hills in the next elections, in 2013. George has been invaluable in his support for Elimu. This, though, has been a long standing ambition for a number of years. We will be watching closely along with everyone in Nandi Hills to see how things unfold from here and we both thank him and wish him the very best with everything.
And finally... some news of my own. As of this past July, I am no longer teaching at Charles Darwin School and although I have loved it and will miss it, I have felt torn in wanting to spend more time on Elimu than teaching can allow for. The last few weeks have been a welcome opportunity to redress that balance. Charles Darwin is a partner to Elimu, so it is not the end either as the school and I will continue to work together. As Elimu is for the time being voluntarily run, I am fortunate in starting a new job this week at The Times Educational Supplement (TES). Having written for the education press before, this role, assisting the editorial and teaching resources team with room for development - and time for Elimu - has come along just at the right moment, and very happily so.
Good luck, then, to all of us and to our UK partner schools, Charles Darwin, The Priory and Bishop Justus, as they gear up for the start of a new academic year.
With thanks,
Jo
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