On 18th February 2012 a group volunteers came to visit our orphanage, they were related to Papa Kevin & Mama Mary. One of them was Lorraine McAleer from Omagh Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland. She has so much experience working with children as she trained as a teacher and after two days realised that we were in need of a nursery for our younger children and toddlers as the existing Baby Class was not child friendly. Also the Mamas needed a break from the children so it was decided that from 8.30am until 12 midday the children needed some stimulation through educational play. Lorraine & I visited the Imara Primary School to help get an understanding of the Kenya system of education, from there we also visited the local bookshop so as to get the learning material i.e books, toys and paints among other things.
Auntie Rosemary who works at the GLO is actually a trained Early Childhood Teacher(ECD) so with Lorraine’s help they spent time organising the schedule and what exactly was needed to set up the nursery paying particular attention to the children’s needs. We hired some local carpenters to make tables and chairs suitable for the children and “stole” the painter and the artist from the school for a few days to paint the rooms and make it child friendly. With some resources from our office and extra shopping from Mtwapa the new nursery was ready and Auntie Rosemary was happy to see her well organised class ready for action.
Papa Kevin and Mama Mary, visiting volunteers who included Lorraine’s Mum Rosemary, Mr. Moses Head Teacher from St Bernadette & St Mary’s School and all the staffs were called to witnessed the official opening of the new nursery. The nursery is divided into two groups, Caterpillars which is 1.5 years – 3 years old and Butterflies which is 3-4 years.
We hope that our children will have their best in life with firm foundation in education starting at this young age. To acknowledge Lorraine’s hard work it was decided to name the nursery Learning Space as this is the name of Lorraine’s shop in Belfast.
Many thanks to Lorraine for your dedication, hard work & experience in helping us,
May God Bless You
By George Ayieko
I was very lucky to witness the progress while I was in Kenya. It truly made a big difference and both the mamas and little ones were loving the new environment. Excellent project and I know Lorraine enjoyed every moment of introducing this project. Her experience and knowledge has been a really benefit. God bless x
Very well done to everyone , what a chance these kids are getting thanks to all your hard work.
Paddy & Lisa
This is brilliant news , it’s wonderful that the GLO, has so many caring and professional people sharing their knowledge , helping the GLO to establish this educational play , the children will benefit so much from this new development. Well done to you all& Godbless
Wow it was so good to read this latest update and to hear about Lorraine’s contribution to moving things along. I feel sure that the little ones will really benefit from a bit more structure in their day, and of course, the Mama’s and Aunty’s will be able to focus on other parts of their role, as well as having a little bit of peace and quiet! The photographs really do make it seem that the nursery has come alive quickly, and I can’t wait to get back to GLO next year, and see it all for myself. Well done – yet another step forward for the children at GLO.
Bridget x
Yes as “Mama B” says what a huge step forward for the little ones – how things have moved on from our first visit when the lessons were not tailored for the little ones and they just sat on the floor in the tiny classroom. Well done all – GLO goes from strength to strength.
Jane X
Hi As a retired nursery manager I am thrilled to read this update. I have bought these type of materials for other schools while in Kenya but no-one really knows how to use them. Very well done .God bless your work