For three hours each morning this week, we have had the pleasure of teaching Form 1 at Bishop Abiero secondary school. Approximately twenty students, aged 14-15, attended each of our classes, proudly modelling their blue and white school uniform. It was clear that some of these pupils came from poorer backgrounds, even though their parents or guardians had managed to pay for their school fees. However, each girl wore white, knee high socks, navy blue, knee-length skirts, white shirts and navy blue ties and pull overs; even broken buckles did not prevent these school children from wearing black shoes. It was refreshing to see students take such pride over their school uniform with no attempt to make school into a fashion parade.
After testing their ability, Roz and I proceeded to teach the students a range of persuasive techniques in preparation for a composition on 'Why visit Kisumu?'. Their next assignment was a letter of complaint to their local council on the litter polluting the streets of Kisumu (which was completed for homework) and lastly they wrote a poem using metaphors. At first it was rather challenging teaching a classroom full of shy and silent students but luckily two very intelligent young men, Washington and Hosea, were brave enough to attempt to answer ever question we presented the class with, read their work out and even explain their use of persuasive techniques to the class. This aided us as the rest of the class began to open up and eventually we heard from every single member of the class.
We are looking forward to our return to the school for one last lesson on Monday morning and will be sorry to leave as the headmaster, teachers and students were so welcoming and appreciative of us.
Jennie Warriner
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