BEADS FOR EDUCATION
BREAK THE CHAINS OF ILLITERACY WALKATHON

100 kilometers from Isinya to Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Sneakers for our girls (and warriors) are proudly worn during the walkathon. Girls continue to use them for the many sports programs at school including netball, volleyball and soccer.  Many shoes are provided by Chaco Shoes and shipped to Kenya.  Your donation will help to get shoes to many girls (and warriors). We wish  you could see the lines of people hoping THEY will receive sneakers.

Excited recipients of new shoes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Top Ride School’s library (Isinya, Kenya) is  the only elementary school library that we know of in our sponsorship regions. The teachers and students of Top Ride anxiously await the new arrivals. . Our collection of 6000 volumes is critical for the BEADS reading programs and book clubs.  As the only lending library in our regions, many adults also arrive on library day to check out a book – the books on Obama are especially popular this year. Jabberwocky Bookstore (Newyburyport, Ma.) provides most of our classic books at cost.

New books arrive at Top Ride School>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

100 cinderblocks for classrooms and residences.  

Although the heart and soul of a school is the dedicated teachers - classrooms and residence halls provide the stage. When the wind blows dust through the room and covers everything OR the rains pour in - a solid classroom is invaluable. In 2008, BEADS started a capital fund to upgrade the wooden classrooms and residence halls.  Your donation will help us to complete 8 classrooms and 6 residences.

Old and New classrooms at Top Ride School>>>>>>>>>>>>

Supplies for girl's groups Town-Clean-up projects - bags, plastic gloves, rakes, shovels, etc. Poster board and markers enable the girls to promote their project. Presentations of environmental awareness and appreciation programs in conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Town clean-up is hosted three times a year.

Debby Rooney and District Officer organizing for environmental presentation.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Beading supplies for girl's groups which maintain traditional crafts - based on Junior Achievement model the girl's learn to bead their own products and are supervised in basic business concepts.

BEADS hosts Coming of Age Ceremonies without the traditional cut. This is the most important ceremony in a girl’s life. She changes her name from girl to woman and looks forward to this day from the time she is a very young girl.  BEADS strives to support the important cultural traditions and encourages the Maasai community to eliminate the negative aspects. We have hosted 8 ceremonies and our goal is to host as many as possible.  With your help, we can eradicate this practice in our regions in the next few years AND support the cultural tradition.

To read about our FIRST Coming of Age Ceremony please go to Coming of Age Ceremonies.

Two-day workshops for girls groups which include AIDS awareness training, career counseling, product development, environmental education, community service projects and presentations by successful African women guest speakers as role models.

BEADS College Girls 2007>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The donor will join the BEADS Circle of Friends and receive a lovely hand beaded present from the Dupoto Women's Group in addition to regular newsletters and updates from the field. A Circle of Friends donation will help with the following supplies and projects: Curriculum Materials - Teacher Training - Library - Computers - Solar Lighting - Photo Equipment - Career Counseling - Vocational Training - Environmental Education - Business Training - New Group Development.

Headmaster Peter Waweru and Lisa Stevens as they prepare for group meeting at Top Ride School - Isinya.>>

WISH LIST

Laptop Computers for use in Kenya - 35mm Automatic Cameras
Transistor Radios and Batteries - Reading Glasses
Automobile for use in Kenya
Camping Supplies

To make a donation of items from our Wish List, please email us at BEADSofKenya@aol.com or call Debby Rooney @(609) 823-7701