The Sigowet School in Eldoret, Kenya
Some years ago, a young man from Kenya, Samuel Githinji, came to visit New Brunswick through his friendship with Reverend Richard
McConnell and the Companion Diocese Program. Samuel came from a very poor and rural area of Kenya called Eldoret. He had been
a student in Eldoret where Father Richard had served for a year. He stayed for some time in the Parish of Rothesay, making many friends
here. Samuel returned to Canada to study theology at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He returned to Africa, was married and ordained,
and is presently teaching.
Rev. Samuel had a vision to build a school in his home area of Eldoret. He wanted the school to address the plight of orphaned children
and especially orphaned girls. He observed that when girls lost their parents, they became vulnerable members of the community.
They had few people to look after them, educate them and even protect them. This is how the Sigowet School for Girls was born.
Members of St. Paul’s wanted to assist Rev. Sam. There were two multi-cultural fairs to support the school: one in the spring of 2007
and one in the fall of 2008. The proceeds of these fairs went to assist in the construction of the school.
Through the winter of 2008, Kenya experienced serious civil unrest. There were violent clashes between different tribal groups.
Buildings were looted; homes destroyed; and many people were hurt and some were killed. We feared for Sam’s safety.
The Parish made an appeal and sent him funds to secure his safety and that of his extended family. Plans for the school were
put on hold. By the fall of 2008, thankfully, order had been restored to the country. Rev. Sam and other church leaders felt it important
to go forward with building the school as a sign of hope for the community. Construction moved ahead, with the view of opening the
school early in 2009. The school has opened, with five teachers and just over 20 students. The school offers courses at the secondary
school level.
Rev. Sam has sent us brief biographies of 12 of the students: Nine of these students are female. All of the students are orphans.
Although the original vision was for a school for girls, the government insisted that boys be included.
Here are some excerpts of their stories:
Since my parents died, it was hard for me to continue with my education. I stayed with my grandmother for a long time. But it
was hard for her to pay my school fees and hard for her to clear with my basic needs because she was too old. In spite of all this
my elder sister assisted me when she got some money to pay my school fees until I finished my primary education last year. I have
faced many problems, I have been struggling very hard to achieve my goal. Thankfully this year I found a sponsor who made it
possible for me to move to school.
- Rutto, age 15
My life history after the death of my parents was very bitter and painful. This was because my mother died and only one month
later my father also passed away. At that moment of mourning there was totally nobody to take care of me. This was because
my family members were not there, grandparents had died long ago of which I don’t know the years ... What I can say is, I really
underwent very many strains and difficulties just to mention but a few. But I thank God because He made me finish my class eight
and I am still able to learn and praying for God to open the way so that one day I may also help somebody somewhere in need.
- Aringo, age 17
After the death of my mother I passed through many problems. I was supposed to join form 1 but all my family relatives excluded
themselves and said that they didn’t know me. I tried my best to convince some of my mother’s friends but they all pretended as if
we have never met before. I had nowhere to go to, no one to run to since everyone was against my living life. Life was hard for me
because I was all alone. I tried doing some manual jobs to pay rent and feed myself. Though it was not easy I always pray to God to
give me a chance of studying, with that I stayed at home for one full year without going to school. Then the Lord answered my prayer
and I got a school in Sigowet where I’m studying now and it’s my prayer that these programme continue until I finish my secondary
education, because I had been longing to get a sponsor. I am thankful to the organizers and I promise to do my best in my academics.
May God bless them all.
- Abdul, age 18
The Spring 2007 multi-cultural fair raised just over $12,000. The Fall 2008 fair raised just over $9000. We have just received financial
statements from Sigowet, listing the construction costs and spending of the 2007 fair money. Now that we have received this
confirmation, we will forward the 2008 funds to assist with additional capital projects. In addition to the funds raised at the fairs,
the ACW, the Mission Beyond Committee and the labours of Christian Turnbull and others have raised sponsorship money for the
students. $3300 was sent from our Parish to sponsor students for the 2009 school year. It costs about $250/year to sponsor a student.
The Mission Beyond Committee would like to thank everyone for their support of the Rev. Sam Githinji and the Sigowet School.
The school is about bringing hope to young lives who face trials that we cannot imagine. Why are so many of their parents dying?
The largest reason appears to be aids. Thank you for being a part of the vision of hope. The project requires patience.
Communication is not always easy. Rev. Samuel does not live in Eldoret, so he is not always present to encourage the project along.
Sometimes communication between Africa and Canada is not as quick as we would like. But we are deeply grateful for the recent
reports of progress and want to pass along all that we know to the Parish and other friends and supporters.
Maybe you would like to sponsor a student at the school? We are collecting funds for the 2010 school year. $250 can provide an
education for one year. What a difference that can make! If you would like to sponsor a student, please mark an envelope Sigowet
School Student Sponsorship, with your name (and envelope number) and you will receive a tax receipt. There is no question that
our efforts are making a huge difference in the lives of these young people.
May God bless the Sigowet School.
Submitted by Canon Albert
McConnell and the Companion Diocese Program. Samuel came from a very poor and rural area of Kenya called Eldoret. He had been
a student in Eldoret where Father Richard had served for a year. He stayed for some time in the Parish of Rothesay, making many friends
here. Samuel returned to Canada to study theology at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He returned to Africa, was married and ordained,
and is presently teaching.
 |  |
and especially orphaned girls. He observed that when girls lost their parents, they became vulnerable members of the community.
They had few people to look after them, educate them and even protect them. This is how the Sigowet School for Girls was born.
Members of St. Paul’s wanted to assist Rev. Sam. There were two multi-cultural fairs to support the school: one in the spring of 2007
and one in the fall of 2008. The proceeds of these fairs went to assist in the construction of the school.
Through the winter of 2008, Kenya experienced serious civil unrest. There were violent clashes between different tribal groups.
Buildings were looted; homes destroyed; and many people were hurt and some were killed. We feared for Sam’s safety.
The Parish made an appeal and sent him funds to secure his safety and that of his extended family. Plans for the school were
put on hold. By the fall of 2008, thankfully, order had been restored to the country. Rev. Sam and other church leaders felt it important
to go forward with building the school as a sign of hope for the community. Construction moved ahead, with the view of opening the
school early in 2009. The school has opened, with five teachers and just over 20 students. The school offers courses at the secondary
school level.
Rev. Sam has sent us brief biographies of 12 of the students: Nine of these students are female. All of the students are orphans.
Although the original vision was for a school for girls, the government insisted that boys be included.
Here are some excerpts of their stories:
Since my parents died, it was hard for me to continue with my education. I stayed with my grandmother for a long time. But it
was hard for her to pay my school fees and hard for her to clear with my basic needs because she was too old. In spite of all this
my elder sister assisted me when she got some money to pay my school fees until I finished my primary education last year. I have
faced many problems, I have been struggling very hard to achieve my goal. Thankfully this year I found a sponsor who made it
possible for me to move to school.
- Rutto, age 15
My life history after the death of my parents was very bitter and painful. This was because my mother died and only one month
later my father also passed away. At that moment of mourning there was totally nobody to take care of me. This was because
my family members were not there, grandparents had died long ago of which I don’t know the years ... What I can say is, I really
underwent very many strains and difficulties just to mention but a few. But I thank God because He made me finish my class eight
and I am still able to learn and praying for God to open the way so that one day I may also help somebody somewhere in need.
- Aringo, age 17
After the death of my mother I passed through many problems. I was supposed to join form 1 but all my family relatives excluded
themselves and said that they didn’t know me. I tried my best to convince some of my mother’s friends but they all pretended as if
we have never met before. I had nowhere to go to, no one to run to since everyone was against my living life. Life was hard for me
because I was all alone. I tried doing some manual jobs to pay rent and feed myself. Though it was not easy I always pray to God to
give me a chance of studying, with that I stayed at home for one full year without going to school. Then the Lord answered my prayer
and I got a school in Sigowet where I’m studying now and it’s my prayer that these programme continue until I finish my secondary
education, because I had been longing to get a sponsor. I am thankful to the organizers and I promise to do my best in my academics.
May God bless them all.
- Abdul, age 18
statements from Sigowet, listing the construction costs and spending of the 2007 fair money. Now that we have received this
confirmation, we will forward the 2008 funds to assist with additional capital projects. In addition to the funds raised at the fairs,
the ACW, the Mission Beyond Committee and the labours of Christian Turnbull and others have raised sponsorship money for the
students. $3300 was sent from our Parish to sponsor students for the 2009 school year. It costs about $250/year to sponsor a student.
The Mission Beyond Committee would like to thank everyone for their support of the Rev. Sam Githinji and the Sigowet School.
The school is about bringing hope to young lives who face trials that we cannot imagine. Why are so many of their parents dying?
The largest reason appears to be aids. Thank you for being a part of the vision of hope. The project requires patience.
Communication is not always easy. Rev. Samuel does not live in Eldoret, so he is not always present to encourage the project along.
Sometimes communication between Africa and Canada is not as quick as we would like. But we are deeply grateful for the recent
reports of progress and want to pass along all that we know to the Parish and other friends and supporters.
Maybe you would like to sponsor a student at the school? We are collecting funds for the 2010 school year. $250 can provide an
education for one year. What a difference that can make! If you would like to sponsor a student, please mark an envelope Sigowet
School Student Sponsorship, with your name (and envelope number) and you will receive a tax receipt. There is no question that
our efforts are making a huge difference in the lives of these young people.
May God bless the Sigowet School.
Submitted by Canon Albert