All about Kenya

Before I began sharing my personal experience, I wanted to share with you a brief history about Kenya. I found various websites that provides more  facts than I could possible know since I only spent a short amount of time there. Furahia (Enjoy)!

Introducation to Kenya:

Kenya Flag:

Coat of Arms:

Official Name : Republic of Kenya
Motto: "Harambee" (Swahili): "Let us all pull together"
National Anthem: Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu ( "Oh God of All Creation")
Capital: Nairobi
Largest City: Nairobi
Official Languages: Swahili, English
Government: Republic
Independence from the United Kingdom ( December 12, 1963)
Republic declared December 12, 1964
Area: 224 080 sq mi
Population: 34 707 817 (According to July 2005 estimates)
Population in Malindi: The population of Malindi is 117,735 (in 1999 census). ^ "Population of Local Authorities" (with towns), Government of Kenya, 1999:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_authorities_of_Kenya
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)

http://www.dongo.org/pictures/kenyan_money.jpg

Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. Lying on both sides of the equator, Kenya is bordered by Sudan and Ethiopia to the North, Somalia to the East, Tanzania to the south, and Uganda to the west. Indian Ocean is on the south east of Kenya and Lake Victoria on the west. Earlier Kenya was a colony of British. Kenya gained independence form British rule in 1963, and became a republic in 1964. Nairobi is the Capital of Kenya and the largest city. A large part of Kenyan population is of Black Africans divided into 40 ethnic groups. These ethnic belongs to three-linguigistic families- the Bantu, the Cushitic, and the Nilotic. English and Swahili are languages used for communication both officially and in domestic use. Many Kenyans have their own languages inherited from ethnic group, thus Kenyan speak three languages, English, Swahili and a local language.  For more info, www.http://kenyaeducation.info/.

Photos taken on my trip:

Airport in Nairobi                                 At one of the hotels in Nairobi

  

   

                                        On the streets of Nairobi

                                      On our way to Malindi

                                       Airport in Malindi

                                       In the town of Malindi

Marisa W.

BIO

Marisa Williamson is a Dallas-based artist and teacher, originally from Philadelphia, PA.  She works in a range of media including video and drawing.  Her thematic interests are in gender, race, technology, memory, and the body.  Her work will be shown this fall at the South Dallas Cultural Center. You can visit her website for more information.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Rodney Wilson. I have decided to focus my summer project on the heart of imagination. I choose this topic because the children in the hospital need to be encouraged to let their imagination flow.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Kevin Mondy Jr. I have decided to focus my summer project on the topic of statistics. I choose this because it is my dream job. I want my assignment to make people more informed about what statistics are.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Jaquaylon Rollison. I have decided to focus my summer project on the topic of  decision making. I choose this topic because people should think twice about their actions. I want my assignment to make people aware of consequences.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Kiea Wylie. I have decided to focus my summer project on the topic of Art Therapy. I choose this topic because I want to help those in need by using thoughtful pictures as a way to encourage. I want my assignment to make people believe.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is DeEric Martin Jr. I have decided to focus my summer projects on the topic of hair. I choose this topic because it helps people express how they feel about themselves. I want my assignment to let people know they can be proud about themselves and their appearance.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Cer Martin. I have decided to focus my summer project on the topic of laughter. I chose this topic because I think people should laugh despite the problems they are facing and enjoy life. I want my assignment to make people happy.

Student Journal: Project Idea

Hello my name is Aaron. I have decided to focus my summer project on the topic of Childhood Obesity. I choose this topic because it was a good idea and is something that needs to be confronted in this country. I want my assignment to make people feel more aware about their health and feel better about themselves.

Preservation Link goes to Africa

Jumbo, Jumbo! Karibuni! Jina lako nii Karen. (Hello, Welcome, my name is Karen)

I want to first say Asante Sana (thank you very much) to Dave and Shaun for giving me the opportunity to take part in this wonderful experience of working with Preservation Link this summer. I have had the fortunate opportunity of working with them in the past and I think it's wonderful that we have found new and creative ways to continue our working relationhsip. As part of my working with Preservation Link, I will be blogging about my trip to Kenya, Africa this past July and how the students from the Mahenzo Mission School was given the opportunity to take part in Preservation Link's, Point of View, workshop.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you my insight along with other resources my perspective on the Point of View workshop, the students who participated, the teachers, the school, and Malindi, Kenya.

When the opportunity for me to go to Malindi, Kenya presented itself, I was so excited. I didn't really know what to expect, except from what we had been learning, from a gentlemen Mr. Samson (Kenyan-born), who had been teaching us Swahili and giving us insight into Africa. However, you can never be truly ready for a trip like this until you are there. I remember having a dream months before the trip about my being there with the children and from that moment, I felt peace come over me. Going there was a dream come true. I enjoyed every minute I spent with the teachers and students. It was definitely a life-changing experience that I could never fully describe but only feel in my heart. My heart glows brightly whenever I remininsce about my being in Africa. I have many moments that I wished I could bottle up and share with everyone, however,
I will do my best to capture these moment through photos and videos.

This experience as widen my perspective on life, my relationships with others, and who I want to become when I grow up,lol.

Asante (Thank you)!

Preservation LINK's Research Blog

As co-founder of Preservation LINK, Inc. and Director of Program Evaluation, Shaunqula hails from South Carolina. Her rich, southern roots have inspired her work-both artistically and professionally

Check out Preservation LINK's Research Blog here!

Student Journal: How would you teach students if you were a teacher?

If I were a teacher, I would help my students learn in a number of ways. Since I am seeking to become a teacher, I have already begun to think with a teacher mindset. First off, I would become more secure with each child's learning ability. I feel that if you know how your student learns, it is easier for them to cope with you as a teacher. I'd then have a group follow up (open discussion) so that every child would be able to speak their minds on what they feel about the subject, course , etc; depending on what we're talking about. I'd also listen very closely so that I could hear every child's opinion and comment. I'd be sure to not miss anybody. I'd also have a one on one talk set aside for each and every student, 3 at a time, to sit and discuss the elements of learning. Whatever subject we're focusing on or lesson that would be a great time to help hit the focus points of each student. If I were a teacher, I'd help my students be the best they could be. I would teach them to never give up, keep trying, keep striving, and don't look back. Every student doesn't learn at the same balance so it is important that we walk along with them not leave them expecting them to run after us. Teachers have to be willing to put their ALL into teaching. A child's life depends on that Teacher(s) teaching skills. So to hit the basic points, I'd help my students learn all around.

Student Journal: June 19th

June 19^th or Juneteenth is an important day in African- American history. It is proclaimed to be the day that slaves in Texas found out that they were officially free. Today we still celebrate this day in honor of years of fighting. It was the act of President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation that helped allow this to happen. It is a day of rejoicing, reuniting, and planning ahead for the future. When everyone can come together for a better cause. It reminds me of a democracy.

Student Journal: How would you teach students if you were a teacher?

First, I would choose to be a math teacher. I would help my students by putting them in groups and allowing them to make a rap about multiplication. This group will say that rap on the morning announcements. It’s good to know that you can have fun while you learn. When I was in the 2^nd grade I loved to work, however it wasn’t always fun. My teacher demanded us to complete assignments weather it was challenging or easy. So even if I liked it or not, I had to get the job done. My opinion is when you teach you have to make it amusing so they will be learning and having fun at the same time. Then they will go around saying “That teacher the best teacher ever!”.

Student Journal: How would you teach students if you were a teacher?

If I were a teacher, I will tell my students to come to school.

1. Be focused on the class work and homework assignments.

2. Go to sleep at 8:30 and wake up and eat breakfast before you come to school.

3. Stay after school to study materials for the TAKS test.

Student Journal: How would you teach students if you were a teacher?

If I was a teacher, I would disguise teaching with fun. The kids would be enjoying themselves, but they would also be learning. The secret of teaching is to combine the two. I would think about how I keep my lesson interesting while still learning what you need to know. Then I would find out how well my students learn or what limits my teachings to their style of learning. I would be very hands on with my students and make sure that they understand and offer tutoring when needed. I would set a free environment so that my students would fill free to speak their minds and express any problems they have.

Student Journal: Favorite TV Show

My favorite TV show is Law and Order because it is like they are on a mission to find a person who did something bad. I also like that show because it is teaching you a lesson of what not to do. It also tells you that doing bad things is not going to get you any were in life.

Student Journal: June 19th

I really don’t celebrate the June 19^th; usually we just go out and eat. Lincoln put his best effort forward to introduce the Emancipation Proclamation. Finally when he passed away Ulysses S. grant went to the south and told all the slaves they were finally free to do what ever they want to. That’s why people still celebrate that day; it was a really great idea for Lincoln to free the slaves. The people that were enslaved were really thankful for Lincoln.

Student Journal: June 19th

June 19th is a historic day. One special thing about that day is that it is two days after my birthday. Last but not least, it is the day Texas was free from slavery. That’s why I think June 19th is historic. June 19th is a historic day for the state of Texas.

Student Journal: June 19th

What is June 19^th ? And why is so important? Well that was the day when the slaves were free. Every year we celebrate this day with food, fun, and family. I think we should all come together and celebrate this special holiday.

Student Journal: June 19th

In three days it will be June 19^th. I think that on June 19^th the great Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous I have a dream speech. On that day was a very famous day, which was the day that blacks and whites came together. That’s what I think happened on June 19^th.

Student Journal: June 19th

I think June 19th is important because it is when Texas slaves were freed. The union wanted freedom and the confederate didn’t want freedom or it was probably the other way around, I’m unsure but I do know we were freed.

Student Journal: June 19th

I won’t be brought down by anyone. Every body can be good people with great ideas that can turn into reality.

Student journal: June 19th

Some people call June19 (Juneteenth). It was the day that all Texas slaves were freed. Two years ago in 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which made them happy to be freed.

Student Journal: June 19th

June 19th is the day that slave were officially free from slave owners. Every year, some people celebrate this day with the three F’s: food, family, and fun. It is also the day President Lincoln went to the southern states and made the slave owners release their slaves.