We received with sadness today the news of the death of Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, author, and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The head teacher in Ngurunit is working well on the photo project with Pike School. The children are working with the disposable cameras and are excited, too. We hope to have a complete package by August.Photo: In Ngurunit, Steven Labarakwe thanks the moran and young elder for performing a traditional Samburu dance for ESHA guests, 8/06/11 (Photo credit: Claudia Daggett)
"On Monday, April 4, 2011, Steven Labarakwe visited The Woods Academy. Steven is a teacher and school superintendent from northern Kenya. He grew up as a nomadic tribesman.This is a very brief excerpt from Darren Danaie's school news article about the visit of Steven Labarakwe to The Woods Academy, sponsored by ESHA. Read more and enjoy a sixth grader's perspective at www.woodsacademy.org.
Steven had an amazing start..."
“It was a unique educational opportunity for us -- especially when he told us specifics about the transportation in his country.” (It took Steven two days to travel from his village to the airport.)
“He was very observant about America and had many ideas about improving Kenya.” (Steven spoke about his country’s need for water, education, teacher training, and infrastructure.)
“People [in the U.S.] don’t know much about his country. His sharing about his life makes me want to be an advocate for Kenya."
Photo: Laurel Seid
and took pictures and created a book of materials.
If you are one of those educators who loves the energy and enthusiasm of middle school students, then you probably cannot imagine a finer way to begin the day than with a middle school assembly. How exciting for us to begin our visit at Green Acres School with an opportunity to bring the stories of life with the Samburu to their fifth through eighth grades. After watching Steven begin most of our presentations with a brief traditional dance and chant and listening to the gasps and other expressions of awe and wonderment, I almost could not contain my excitement that the Green Acres teacher and photographer caught him in mid-air.
as a metaphor for the day. It stems from the kind of excitement we felt at being in a day-long celebration. From the youngest to the oldest children, the attention and enthusiasm remained palpable throughout. The market proved, yet again, to be an enormous hit with the first grade. We could have dressed up and continued learning about Samburu culture for a very long time. We ended the day with an assembly for the kindergatren through fourth graders which, despite what prevailing wisdom might say, just kept the excitement flowing. One of the teachers remarked to us afterward that she had not seen the students remain so enraptured. 
t without fail, a student will greet Steven, shyly or exuberantly, as if he were the most special person in the world. It becomes clear, in that moment, what an impact the visits have had in the lives of children.
The sun shone brightly on the Cathedral Close as we visited Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School. More often than not during the last week and a half, the spring weather here in Washington has rallied to match northern Kenyan weather for the day. The sun and warmth provide an excellent setting as Steven weaves his stories about life with the nomadic Samburu living in a dry, hot environment. 
omed Steven yesterday with great warmth. The students at all grade levels asked excellent questions, including ones about religion and money that we had yet to be asked. The lunch meeting with members of the faculty Social Studies Committee enabled those teachers working most closely with the Global Studies program to muse about on-going connections. We ended the day with a tour of the National Cathedral and grounds, including the excellent view of Washington, DC from the 7th floor. 
nly one more ESHA school to visit, Steven and I both have expressed our amazement at how quickly the time has passed and how excellent the reception has been for this man far from home.
Although it was far too brief, it was great fun to visit DC and reunite with Steven, Laurel, and Claudia. A highlight of the trip for me was our trip to The Harbor School. We were warmly welcomed by Head of School, Val Wise. I helped Steven with his transformation from jeans and fleece to the traditional dress of northern Kenya. He met with kindergartners and first graders, and they were equally enthralled with his presentation.
Muddy
Photos: Claudia Daggett
