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Our staff at prayer[/caption]A Kenyan Basket of PraiseIn the African culture, we believe there is a blessing in giving. A common saying and practice is, “you never go to a visit someone’s home empty handed.” Although this practice has diminished over time because of poverty and mixed cultures, that lesson is the undertone of our society.The staff at eduKenya and Kwa Watoto School (KWS) has much for which to be grateful. At our November staff retreat, Director Bob Kikuyu led us in offering a “basket of praise” to God. The first item of thanksgiving was for our retreat, held in Mombasa; for many, it was their first time to see the city and the Indian Ocean. Then each of us shared highlights and thanksgiving from both a personal perspective, and as a member of the eduKenya/KWS staff. The following are selections from our basket of praise.Pastor Bob KikuyuI am thankful to God for the opportunity to join eduKenya in a full-time capacity. I have closed a chapter in my life as a minister to various congregations in Nairobi and beyond. I look forward to the work ahead and helping to make the KWS dream come true.A highlight of my year was handing over our Mathare land to a contractor to begin construction this month on the new KWS building. Another highlight was acquiring property in Emali, which will one day be home to “Mawewa School,” a residential high school. It is difficult to imagine that this land of briar and thorn will one day be transformed into something of such immense value. However, when I recently took a few of our current students to see the land, I saw it from their eyes, and it was beautiful.Bishop IsaiahI am grateful for God’s protection over my family. Recently, thugs broke into our house. They tried to break in the door, but the lock held, so they broke a window and climbed in. Once inside, they found tools to break the lock, but again the lock held. Since the thieves could not take large items of value through the window, and no family member was home, I would say the security of my home was minimally compromised. In reflection, when God says He will guard my going out and my coming in, I believe it.Joseph Njenga MuneneI am grateful that I was given the opportunity to start the eduKenya Community Support Ministry. This program empowers members of Mathare slum and transforms one household at a time. There has been a good response from members of the community. I love what I do and the good working relationships I have with the staff at KWS.On a lighter note, I am happy to have been in a pool for the first time in my life at this staff retreat! I do not know how to swim yet, but now I am motivated to learn!Skills Training ProgramThe eduKenya Skills Training department thanks God for each adult student who completes the program. It is a marvelous victory to graduate six students this year! Every student who graduates becomes a part of the eduKenya/Kwa Watoto family, joining us in transforming Mathare one person and one family at a time. We are also grateful for the training equipment and materials.KWS Teaching Staff

1. We are grateful for how far we have come in preparing the KWS upper class for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams, to be held in November 2015. It will be the first time KWS will take part. Mr. Mule, the upcoming Class 8 teacher, feels the pressure the most, but he believes that the students will be well prepared.

2. We thank God for the gift of life. In the 2014 school year, we did not lose one student, parent or staff. The children have been generally healthy this year, with only an occasional setback. The children receive a good balanced diet at school, so even when they do not get a proper meal at home, they stay healthy.

3. We agree that head teacher, Mr. Michael Maingi is an excellent leader. He is the authority on all things academic at KWS, and he inspires the teachers to think deeper and work harder for the sake of the students. He drives the values of KWS by modeling them. Though driven, Mike is a gentle person who cares deeply for both his teachers and the students. Mike humbly admits that he sometimes has doubts that his plans and programs will succeed as envisioned, but he is always confident that the KWS team will give 100% to make it work. He is grateful that God has graciously allowed KWS to flourish and achieved most of its goals.

4. We are grateful to be equipped to teach in ways not generally available to teachers at other schools in Nairobi. When each of us counts our blessings, KWS is at the forefront. It is a great place, full of wonderful people, who are accomplishing amazing things for the children in Mathare.

From all of us at eduKenya and KWS, we wish our eduKenya partners a Happy Thanksgiving! God’s blessings on you throughout this holiday season!