[caption id="attachment_2908" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
The eduKenya and Mawewa School Staffs[/caption]The eduKenya and Mawewa School staffs took much-needed downtime together November 24 – 27. The Amani Retreat and Conference Centre in Nakuru, Kenya hosted the 2015 Staff Retreat. Nakuru is the ancestral home of our own Pauline Ng’ang’a, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and she was pleased to visit her parents while she was in town!
One vital aspect of the retreat was the growth of interpersonal relationships. We spend most of our time focused on tasks and deadlines, leaving little time to be acquainted with those with whom we do not work directly. For the retreat, individuals from different departments roomed together and seating changed at each meal. Much time was spent together playing games, laughing, and sharing.[caption id="attachment_2910" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
Left-to-right: Agnes Ndanu (School Custodian), Edita Orinda (PP1 teacher), Ajema Kikuyu-Ngumba (Projects Director), Pamela Odhiambo (Office Custodian)[/caption]One day was devoted to reflection, sharing, and thanksgiving. The day started with Director Bob Kikuyu leading the group through a time of reflection about God’s purpose for us as an organization. We reviewed what He has done in and through us. After time together, we broke up into small groups to share personal stories and insights and pray for each other.The main outcome of the sessions together was an overwhelming recognition that the staffs of eduKenya and Mawewa School, by God’s mercy and grace, view the community of Mathare beyond the prevalent stereotypes associated with extreme poverty. Jesus lives in Mathare! The sessions ended in the refreshing presence of the Lord - reading scripture, praying it back to Him, and offering Him a basket full of praise.[caption id="attachment_2911" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
Left: Lewin Obwora, Employee of the Year. Right: Bob Kikuyu, Executive Director.[/caption]The highlight of the retreat was the end-of-year awards banquet. Shedding our jeans and sweats and donning nice attire, we enjoyed a lovely meal with friends, new and old. Awards went to the Employee of the Month (Joan Wacuka), Teacher of the Year (Carolyne Angatia), and Employee of the Year, Mr. Lewin Obwora, for volunteering his time to bring about transformation by teaching four support staff the basics of reading and writing.There is much excitement about 2016 as we begin a new journey, providing secondary education. We look forward to welcoming the teachers and support staff who will join us. We are prayerful and hopeful about the future boarding school to house our high school students. Won’t you please join us as we hope, pray, and anticipate the great things God will do through eduKenya and Mawewa School in 2016!