Today we travelled to Simboiyon Primary School, located near Keringet Primary where we visited yesterday. We were welcomed by the head teacher and after introductions were made, Samuelle, Sean, myself, and our translators went out to meet parents. In our evaluations, this community would serve as a proxy for Keringet due to its proximity and the similarities between the communities.
The homes around Simboiyon, like in Keringet, are situated closer together, making it easy to move from one home to the next to collect data. As we learned, S is a deeply impoverished community and though it’s people are very welcoming and kind, there are many challenges they face. Alcoholism is a prominent vice in communities facing this level of poverty, particularly among men. Nonetheless, the parents in the community are extremely supportive of education for their children and they have high aspirations for them. As I walked through the village with my translator and guide, we had a following of nearly a dozen children curious to see what had brought foreigners to their community.
Sean checking out the classrooms at Simboiyon.
After completing our data collection, we were surprised by the principal of the neighboring Simboiyon Secondary School who prepared us a tasty mid-afternoon lunch. While we ate, we visited with Mama, an elder in the village and a good friend of Mrs. Limo. After our meal at Simboiyon Secondary, Mrs. Limo brought us to her home for supper where we were joined by her husband, Hon. Joseph Limo, MP for Kericho and the Chair of the Finance Committee in Kenya. Prior to his election, Mr. Limo was a project manager and volunteer for A Better World in Kenya. Today, he and Mrs. Limo are still involved with A Better World projects.
Samuelle and Mama.
We returned to our hotel in the evening to find that Eric and Lawrence had returned from their day’s excursion. Our research completed in Kericho, we were able to relax for a while and get an early sleep.
This was a common sight in Simboiyon – makeshift fences surrounding the fields where the mostly subsistence farmers in the community make their livelihood.
Over the last four days – between Sean, Samuelle, and myself – we have visited approximately 120 families in their homes and heard about the challenges their communities face, how a Better World has impacted their lives, and how current and future projects might be improved.