EXAM DAY at MITS

All the kids, except for those who are already preparing to move out in January, took English, Math and Bible exams last week.  As usual, there were some disappointments and some joys.  We had a 100% on the English test -- Nancy Wanjiku -- and that is no great surprise.  We had a 22 % that was not a surprise either.  Like any other school, we have kids who can excel and kids who have difficulty in academics.  Overall, the kids showed great improvement.  Maybe Willys Odhiambo (shown here taking his exam) showed greatest improvement, scoring in the 80s in English and Math after entering the school last year without any background in education.  We are grateful to the Team for doing such a great job in developing the students' potential and being encouraging.  A happy educational atmosphere does wonders for kids.  

Here is Jackie studying in the library.  The kids really enjoy this time.  We have recently set up the library, which doubles as our media room.  The kids see educational videos, Bible videos and movies now and then.  One of our Team members said, "Now it's like a real school."  It's one of the better libraries for a school in Kenya.  At the Learning Center we now have the Virtual Library, where we have a server and 8 client computers using Linux operating system, alond with 4 free-standing laptops.  We start our kids on computers from the beginning with us; when they have learned how to use the computers, Moses Okoth begins to give them homework where they must search for answers to questions using some downloads from wikipedia. At the Learning Center we also have the regular library with about 2,000 books. We hope to improve our offerings in the next couple of years, with visitors to MITS bringing a few each time they come.  

The exams help us know where to put the kids for the next term. We will re-organize the kids in January depending on their scores.  If they are 16, of course, they go on to skills training in auto mechanics, sewing, woodworking, farming, cooking or hairdressing.  If they are under 16, they are either in Literacy 1, Literacy 2 or the Fast Track program.  In fast track, they are both learning a skill and preparing to take the Kenyan 8th grade exam in December 2008.