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Form 1 Girls Pose in Their Dorm Room[/caption]Form 1 Orientation WeekWhen students report to public boarding schools in Kenya, the first day is a rigorous exercise through admissions, class and room assignments, move-in, and a brief orientation. The next day, students are up and ready for classes to begin as early as 5 AM. While we understand the need for efficiency, eduKenya’s focus is on relationship and transformation, so we approached day one – all of week one – with community and assimilation in mind.The first Form 1 (freshman) Class, made up of 28 students, reported to the Mawewa School in Mathare on February 15 for orientation. Parents accompanied their children early on day one to meet with eduKenya’s executive and project directors, and Mawewa School’s head teacher. After dismissing the parents, students began a weeklong schedule of orientation activities, including an introduction to the eduKenya vision.Of the 28 Form 1 students, nine graduated from the Mawewa Primary School in November 2015. These students have a long history together and orientation week was a time to begin a new history with new faces. So early in the week, students began exercises to get to know each other. Also, it was a great time for the Acting Head Teacher, Mr. Ndunda, to familiarize himself with each of the students under his charge.Mawewa School teaching staff and guest speakers facilitated the orientation sessions. Lessons included school rules of conduct, etiquette, and discussions about personality types and living well with others. They explored the key eduKenya concept of transformation and their role in the renewal of their personal lives, families, and communities. They examined possible decisions that could affect their future and the future of their families, and they worked on short and long term goals.On Friday, February 19, the students traveled together to their temporary boarding school in Naivasha, Kenya, 57 miles northwest of Nairobi. They had the weekend to acclimate and relax before classes began on Monday, February 22. The students and staff felt comfortable with each other by the time they entered the classroom.We thank God for His leading in preparing the students during orientation week. Please join us in praying for the students and staff of our new boarding school throughout the year. We look forward to sharing their stories with you in the months and years to come.