Heiko from Germany, who is currently volunteering at Sunrise for a total of 3 months, wrote a logbook about his activities. Here's an excerpt from what he experienced at Waithaka:

"I went from the 17th to the 19th October to the Sunrise of Africa School in Waithaka. During this time I made  christmas cards with the 3rd up to the 7th grade.

The main difference between Waithaka and Garden Grove, Kitengela is very easy to see, Waithaka is a poor underclass area and Kitengela is an upcoming middleclass area. Therefore, the whole surrounding of Waithaka looks less developed then it is in Kitengela. Also the kids are, on account of  these conditions, more surprised to see a white person, so that I ended up with all kids from baby class up to the second grade, trying to give me at least their hands or to be lifted up by me, which was quite an experience.

The kids were also less accustomed to the art materials I brought from Germany, so that some of the materials found there way into the mouths of some extra brave kids."

At Kitengela, besides teaching more art lessons there as well as sports, he helped a great deal with setting up a computer room. As a result, we now have a total of 15 computers up and running, enabling us to hold classes in computer skills, knowledge that's so important today for young people preparing for occupational life. The monitors were all donated by a local company that is replacing them with newer models.

Here's more from his diary:

"20.09.2011
Today is my 20th day here in Kenya, I'm doing right now voluntary work at the Sunrise of Africa School in Kitengela. I bought with the accountant of the school this day 5 computers in Nairobi town, so that I'll install them with him tomorrow in Kitengela to start a kind of computer club; after a dusty and long journey I'm now back in my new home at my host family 's house and chat with my friends in Germany.

21.09.2011
I finished the first chrismas cards for donors from America with the 7th grade, and I also started doing chrismas cards with the 5th grade. after school I went to the barber shop, the barber there never shaved the hair of a white person so it was a pretty interesting experience...

22.09.2011
I went today again to Nairobi just right after the daily bible lesson with the teachers at School. I booked a trip and bought with the accountant of the School 2 cd players for Kitengela and the school in Waithaka. I came very late back to school because of the traffic jam, so that I found a mad class 5 because I didn't continued with the christmas cards... but I will continue with them tomorrow. Today was a "normal" friday, so that after the tea break "the games" started, which means that on the one side the older boys play football against the teachers and some of the younger boys, on the other side are playing the girls different types of games... "

Just in time before the long rains start in April, our school building is now accessible via a tidy gravel road. Our children will thus not need to wear rubber boots anymore. The playground has also been gravel-paved.

Meanwhile, the final four classrooms are nearing completion. The roof is planned for May. Finally, each class up to year eight will have its own room.

We had a great Christian Science Sunday School Teachers Workshop for the Sunrise Waithaka teachers on 19 March.

Corinne talked to the Teachers as follows:

Mrs Eddy says in the Textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."
We need to know what the need is first, so that we can pray with the children to see that divine Love can meet that need.

Corinne then gave examples of some of the students with special challenges at home and in their lives who are experiencing for the first time the love of God as their true Father-Mother.

These are pictures of a few of the students mentioned:

"We are grateful that our Sunrise of Africa School and our two Christian Science Societies near the Schools are able to express love to children in need and bring healing through Christian Science. We are also grateful to our Sunrise Board members Thomas Mugera, Samuel Aloyo,  Janet Maturu and Corinne Corvin who are overseeing the mission and goals of Christian Science which our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy gave to us. We are also grateful for you teachers that support us through your prayers and dedication to help bring these healing truths to these lovely, receptive children."

A volunteer, Maya Smith wrote:

"My time in Nairobi has been precious. I had come to Nairobi as a guest to see how the Sunrise of Africa schools were doing and have left as part of the family ...

I am mainly volunteering at the Waithaka campus, sitting in on classes from pre-school through 5th grade, ... What I’ve witnessed has been quite impressive. I was humbled by the teachers’ preoccupation with what I would think of their classrooms, WHICH ARE INSANELY SMALLY AND BARELY ACCOMMODATE THE STUDENTS WHO ARE LITERALLY ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. (The school has seen rapid growth, now having more than 150 students and adding a grade level each year. It is quite a feat to keep up with the demand). ... But what I’ve witnessed firsthand is that physical environment is worth so little in the grand scheme of things. What is important is the quality of education, and the teaching here is clearly top notch. The students work extremely hard, attending class year around and many opting to come on Saturdays for extra tutoring.

...
Sunrise emphasizes the development of the whole child." and they are making good on this promise. They have students that come from all backgrounds, including orphans as well as refugees from neighboring countries. Regardless of their background, they are given the opportunity to receive a stellar education and are instilled with important moral values. While perhaps lacking in material wealth, these students use what they have to the fullest and obviously have a wealth of a different kind: the ability to learn and grow. They hold inner qualities that outshine outward wealth and will one day make their country proud."
(read Maya's full report in the Volunteer's section)