By Muskan Singh & Elizabeth Okumu | Reporting Team
Greetings and Gratitude from Team RKF!
Thank you for your continued support of our projects. Our last report gave detailed updates and progress from our School Meals Program and Meal Kits. Additionally, we also highlighted our favourite matching campaign, Little by Little!
You can read the full report here: Upgrading the School Meals Program
We are excited to share with you updates from our newly selected group of scholars and the workshops held with them after the end of their respective terms. Along with these, we will also be sharing details of our Teacher’s Roundtable.
New Scholars!
Frank, a beneficiary of the Scholarship Fund has completed his secondary school and just recently got accepted to pursue Psychology in one of Kenya’s top universities, Moi University.
We supported Frank for one year. While he was in Form 3, his family was struggling to pay his fee due to financial constraints. After evaluating his performance and having one-on-one sessions with him and the family, his determination to continue studying motivated us and a local donor to support him through his secondary school.
Every year, especially after the national examination KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education), parents/guardians from financially disadvantaged backgrounds struggle to help their child transition to secondary school. Students with incredible potential and great dreams are left behind and have to compromise by settling down for environments and schools where the quality of education does not help them flourish. Frank's story mirrors that of many students we assist through our Scholarship Fund and like him, we are now supporting 20 students through our Scholarship Fund, including 3 who started with us last year and 17 new scholars (pictured above) who joined us this year.
Scholar’s Workshop: April 2024
Apart from financial support, scholars also receive termly mentorship, psycho-social support and personal development workshops throughout their secondary school education for well-rounded growth.
Our most recent workshop in April kicked off with exciting ice breakers as this was an excellent opportunity for new and returning scholars to interact, seek advice, and learn from one another. Thereafter, scholars were paired with accountability partners to support each other throughout their four-year scholarship journey. The fun began with human bingo and an energetic game of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Cups," setting a lively tone for the day. You can watch the video here: Head, Shoulder, Knees, Cup
This was followed by a storytelling session where scholars shared one-page summaries of novels they had been assigned to read during their break, delving into storylines, lessons learned, and their reading experiences. A valuable lesson shared was, "Life is an adventure rather than a competition." The day continued with a dynamic, timed puzzle-building activity to foster teamwork.
We wrapped up by celebrating Frank, singing, and wishing him the best for his next adventure.
Day 2 was another enriching day focused on the themes of Belonging and Acceptance, as well as Accountability and Responsibility. Our CEO, Mansi Kotak, led a contemplative awareness session focussed on breathwork, guiding scholars through relaxation practices to manage stress. Teacher Anna, one of our facilitators, introduced the concept of belonging and acceptance. The afternoon, led by counsellor James Osteen, involved one-on-one conversations and practical activities emphasizing listening, providing correct feedback, and the importance of self-care for overall well-being
Finally, day 3 included parents where we emphasized the importance of building an open relationship with their children. The day ended with our prize-giving & encouragement session during which we celebrated the top three scholars with the best academic performance. We also honoured the best storyteller and most improved scholar among other categories.
The workshop ended on a cheerful note with scholars hugging each other, wishing each other well in the upcoming term and exchanging goodbyes.
Scholars’ Workshop: December 2023
During the Christmas break last year, we held workshops with our first-set of scholars. To see how far we have come with them, read the details of the first workshop they attended: Update from our Meals and Scholarship Program
This time round, activities were divided among 3 days and over these days, scholars participated in a workshop aimed at fostering self-awareness and personal growth. On the first day, Tr. Anna led a session on "Understanding Your Purpose," encouraging active reflection and discussions on living a purpose-driven life, illustrated with stories and practical examples. The second day, led by Counsellor Osteen, focused on "self-worth" through personal conversations and an engaging peer feedback activity, culminating in the introduction of a new planning method.
The final day brought parents and scholars together to enhance communication and trust, followed by a recap session where scholars reflected on their learning and provided feedback. The workshop concluded with scholars watching the movie "The Blind Side".
Teachers’ Roundtable
Teachers are the cornerstone of our community, serving as the vital link to our direct beneficiaries: the students. With their deep understanding of both the students and their communities, teachers are crucial in setting up our programs and providing essential feedback from the beneficiaries. They are our extended hands in the field, ensuring our initiatives are effectively implemented and impactful.
Our teachers’ roundtable brought a selected group of teachers from the schools that we partner with for an interactive day filled with insightful conversations and lessons. School representatives introduced their communities and as we moved into the session, with the guidance of our facilitators, they shared the challenges they were facing.
Through this interactive roundtable, we will be utilizing the vital insights and feedback from our partner school teachers to better address the challenges faced by the communities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and impact of our programs.
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