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SLS Team Donates Gift of Knowledge to Kenya
St. Luke’s School continues to help foster lifelong learning in Kenya. Kate Parker-Burgard, Director of Character Education for the Center for Leadership, worked with St. Luke’s Technology Director Elizabeth Preston, Mathematics Department Chair Elaine Greene and Librarian Elizabeth Nelson to assemble a generous donation of laptops and subject books for the library in Chepsaita, Kenya.
This is the second donation that St. Luke’s has made on behalf of United with Kenya (UwK). In 2010 the idea of building the Children's Community Library was conceived. The official opening of the library occurred August 19, 2013. The collection includes 1,200 hard copy books, and 2,800 e-books for children and youth using solar powered Kindles. “We opened the small library this summer,” says Joan Duncan, UwK Board Treasurer and Coordinator of youth activities. Duncan, a former St. Luke’s School trustee and past parent, is an active UwK volunteer. She recently delivered the donation, noting: “The computers will add a whole different level to the library in addition to the hard copy books, and solar powered Kindles. Once electricity is brought in, we will pursue connection to the Internet.”
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Joan wrote to Elizabeth Preston, “The computers were loaded with software and a lot of relevant files covering different categories of interest - from sports, sewing and farming, to HIV prevention and first aid - and were hand carried to Kenya. I wanted to thank you for your unwavering support and help in making this happen. It is hard to understand from our perspectives how valued the computers are - as they represent the promise of access to the larger world, and are seen as a privilege to have and an opportunity to learn. I sincerely thank you so much.”
For now, says Joan, “We will be training the two coordinators of the library on how to use the laptops’ basic software to write documents and reports and maintain the library catalogue. We have loaded the laptops with many useful PDFs, encyclopedias and other reference materials that can be used by older children, and adults, to explore new interests and conduct research on relevant topics - some academic, some practical, and some simply fun.” Elizabeth Nelson was particularly helpful in vetting books for the library that are both e-books (using solar powered Kindles) and hard copy lists that are appropriate for young readers, as well as sharing posters and ideas on how to engage young readers.
Regarding the donated subject books in math and the sciences she added, “These will be very much appreciated by the teachers - hard to imagine but it is true - many of them have not seen subject books like these, ever. They will get so many ideas about how to engage students as well as upgrade their own skills. In 2010 we delivered a number of instructor manuals; the teachers were so appreciative.”
Tools for learning bring immeasurable wealth to this remote village. As Joan puts it: “These resources will be treasured by the community. You can be sure they will have a good home."
To learn more please visit www.unitedwithkenya.org and www.unitedwithkenya.org/library/
To see photos, please visit the St. Luke’s Media Gallery
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
