By Jamea J. Sale, PhD Photo Credit Gregory Wegst

By Jamea J. Sale, PhD
Photo Credit Greg Wegst

In the heart of Kenya, amid the vibrant enthusiasm of its people, lies a stark reality: resources are incredibly thin. Yet, within this landscape of scarcity, a lesson in resilience and creativity emerges, reminding us to appreciate our circumstances at home. Our music education outreach team, Jamea Sale, PhD, Niccole Williams, MME, & Greg Wegst,, are in Kenya for a second working visit. The energy of the people is palpable, but their challenges are undeniable. All one must do is stand in the midst of the students of Kapkemich to notice uniforms that are worn to threads and children with no shoes. Girls receiving access to sanitary pads and fresh undergarments shed tears of thanks. Amidst these trials, the positivity and innovation of Kenyans is humbling.

A collaboration has emerged between the current leadership of Kapkemich Primary/Secondary School and St. Anne’s Girl’s High School. Recognizing the power of music education to enrich young minds, they have decided to pool resources and position themselves as the go-to institutions for children interested in music, among other subjects, as a career. This initiative will draw students with specific interests to the school. It will likely be noticed at the government level, potentially paving the way for additional funding to this rural area.

Until then, there are immediate things that could greatly benefit these schools. For instance, Kapkemich Primary/Secondary School lacks wifi access, severely limiting its ability to operate efficiently in the 21st century. With wifi, they can more easily access materials and teaching aids available online including ones that the IHS&VR have specially created. I've learned that a purchase of a router with installation is about 13,000 Kenyan Shillings or $80 US, and a monthly fee is estimated at about 6,500KS ($40) per month. For around $550 the school could have internet service for year.

Seven teachers at Kapkemich Primary have formed a Music Department and are eager to undergo formal training. They found a music certification course at Maseno University. To my amazement, $2000 would cover all seven for two semesters. This tuition is remarkably small compared to US tuition standards. However, the cost is an unfathomable on a Kenyan teachers salary.

St. Anne’s has expressed modest needs, including essential items like a USB flash drive and a DVD player, twenty soprano descant recorders, government music textbooks with a teacher manual needed for student proficiency tests, and a set of festival music. Yesterday I learned that the new part time high school music teacher salary of $188 US/month has not been covered. Yet, he has worked hard alongside us this week and is committed to building St. Anne’s program.

Kenya’s beauty is matched only by the strong hearts of its people, who continue to inspire us with their resilience and resourcefulness. As we navigate the disparities between our countries, we hope our donors’ generosity will continue to bridge the gap, allowing us to quickly meet the modest requests of our school friends. Let us remember the power of collaboration and its profound impact on this rural Kenyan community, regardless of geographical boundaries. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these students and teachers, empowering them with tools needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

We have set a goal to raise $5000 to cover all of these needs and perhaps more. Gifts toward the costs mentioned can be given at:
https://donorbox.org/february-2024-kapkemich-school-wishlist