Break Out!

breakout sessions were by far the most exciting! The Jeanna and I focused on teaching computer skills and Eric focused on creative engineering projects like the bamboo cart and a simple water purifying system. While we were not able to see Eric in action, the pictures below tell many stories. What we can tell you is the bamboo cart was very important as the sick people of Kodera used to be transported in wheelbarrows. This type of transportation was slow and many lost their lives just trying to get to the clinic. With a lightweight cart that attaches to the back of a bike, transportation to the clinic will be much faster!

Computer training did not go anything like we thought it would – but this was a good thing! Jeanna and I were truly amazed at the rapid uptake of information. I was asked at one point how did I know all this? I thought for a minuet and responded I just learned by practice. For the younger generations we take for granted the skills we are exposed to at an early age. We never had to consciously learn the computer - the skills just came. Jeanna and I could not have asked for anything more. All 12 participants put their heart into learning and were very excited when they mastered a skill.

Many people ask us what is the point of their learning the computer when they have no electricity and no email. Well, they do have these things to some degree. A generator was purchased to help charge the computer batteries and we provided 8 memory sticks to facilitate the email process. To send an email the composer would need to type their thoughts, save them to the memory stick and when in Kisii or Kisumu find an internet café to send the email. This may sound cumbersome but when this is your only option its not so bad! Think of all the wonderful things that have come from us being able to communicate quickly with others. Do they not deserve the same?

Thanks be to God that we only had one accident with a computer. One of the monitors suffered an impact on the plane ride over to Kenya. Fortunately we were able to find an external monitor – making the computer completely usable again! We were so thankful! We were also thankful for Damaris and Caleb who had prior computer skills. These wonderful people helped us out as extra teachers providing a wonderful experienced working environment for everyone! As we left Kenya we were confident that all our students could turn on and off the computer, navigate into different applications, save their publications and use a wonderful Bible reference program. With these skills the sky is the limit! Jeanna and I are eager to return to Kenya to see the progress of our students as well as bring typing programs and more in-depth instruction in Word, Excel and PowerPoint!