Forms 1's are so engaged and just engrossed which is not the experience Margaret had last year. Margaret's form 2's are engaged and engrossed in a way that is great. They are inspiring. Today she introduced pastels to them and they loved it. They remember so much of what was taught to them They are doing some great work. Having actually taught them something that has stayed with them and that they want to build on is amazing. The school and the students are very excited about the future with art. The refer to what we might do next year, etc. Pretty amazing...I could not have imagined that we would see such progress.
The forms 3 are so mature, focused and advanced. They are the group that formed the Art Club after we left. Today, Hellen, one of the students handed me a book that starts the week after we left last year and shows role for each week of the Art club since we left. Being an artist myself, I know that making art on a regular basis is so important. They have proved it today.
Our structure is 90 minutes class and 90 minutes studio so they can actually soak in the work we are doing. One of the new mediums that we are introducing in addition to Pastels are charcoal. When Margaret and I were at the Text Book Centre on Kigali road in Downtown Nairobi, we could not imagine paying 4+ dollars for 3 charcoal pencils. Today when I started studio time with our forms 3's I gave money to Jacob to go to Kibera road and by Charcoal that has been made on the streets. For 20 Kenyan Shillings, he came back with a bag and they used Kiberan Charcoal to do there first charcoal arts. This was amazing.
Tomorrow, Margaret, about 10 students, David Dinda and I are going to walk through Kibera and experience a little more than we have before, taking in more of their lives outside of school. I am so excited.
The interesting thing about this years experience is that it has made Margaret and I think even more about what is next in this program and these students artistic lives.......We are having outstanding results in sub standard conditions, can you imagine what it will be like to be in a new school teaching art? Over the moon.... Terry even suggested that he would be willing to have an ART room in the new school. I almost feel over.
I would also like to share that both Margaret and I concurrently were reading and finished last night, the book "the blue sweater" by Jacqueline Novogratz. She is the founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund. She is a key stakeholder in international development and has done amazing work. It has been so appropriate to read this here. If you have not read this book, stop reading this blog this minute and go out and buy it. It answers so many questions and really allows you to know that it is possible to make a difference. I had the absolute privilege of meeting her at a book signing and being a guest at the following dinner. She is amazing and I cannot wait to talk to her about the book more and our experience.
We had a charming evening with my friend Wangari (anne) and then we all went and saw the new Harry Potter at Nakumatt Junction for about 6.50 a person....Totally worth seeing even if you are not in Nairobi.
Be well and thank you so much for taking this journey with us. It is so nice to be able to share this with you.
Margaret and Charles
No comments:
Post a Comment