Extracurricular activities are an important part of the education experience. By participating in athletics, music, drama, and clubs, students are exposed to new opportunities and able to explore physical, creative and career interests. In the Kenyan system of education, extracurricular activities are very popular. At the Kwa Watoto School, we are committed to exposing our students to as many extracurricular opportunities as possible, and currently have two especially active clubs: scouting and music.[caption id="attachment_523" align="alignleft" width="300"]

Kwa Watoto scouts practice drills[/caption]ScoutingThe scouting movement has a long and dynamic history in Kenya. According to the Kenya Scouts Association, the purpose of scouting is “to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional and character potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities” (kenyascouts.org).The Kwa Watoto scouting group began in 2009 and has seen tremendous growth. The group currently has thirty students, both boys and girls, divided into four patrols, which are small groups facilitated by student leaders. The group is involved in community service activities such as picking up trash around the school and leads flag raising ceremonies for the school. Scouting enables our students to learn about and practice leadership, provide service to others, try new things and build character.Music: Penya Africa Outreach ProgramThe Kwa Watoto School has been blessed to partner with Penya Africa, an innovative nonprofit music label founded in 2008 and based in Nairobi. Penya Africa seeks to play an active role in enabling local musicians to become influential agents of change. Believing that music is one of the most powerful instruments for changing societies from the grassroots level, Penya Africa produces, distributes and promotes the work of musicians who spread positive messages of change and serve as inspiring role models for youth.[caption id="attachment_526" align="alignright" width="300"]

Festus, Penya Africa principal teacher coaching two students[/caption]Penya Africa’s outreach program for youth was launched to promote social responsibility and teach life skills through music. The outreach specifically targets youth who lack access to music education opportunities due to socioeconomic constraints. Kwa Watoto students have the unique opportunity of learning from Penya Africa members, and are actively involved in the creative process of writing and performing music.Much research has confirmed that music education increases self-esteem and enhances other forms of non-musical learning (linguistic, mathematical and spatial, among others). Through the Penya Africa outreach program, Kwa Watoto students are not only learning vital music skills, but also being empowered in multifarious other ways, including improved confidence, communication and teamwork skills, and appreciation for people of different ethnic and economic backgrounds.Our students are immensely grateful for this unique opportunity to learn from Kenya’s rising young artists who inspire them to chase their dreams!