The afternoon session began with a presentation on Serving Children In Kenya. Beth Kosgei, a tutor from St Ann’s Montessori Training Centre in Nakuru, Kenya began her training at St Ann’s in 2006. The courses at St Ann’s have been running since 1974. Upon graduation, each teacher is equipped with a complete set of material, which is made during training. After a year of training, support is given in a series of school workshops for a year to support and mentor new teachers. In order for Beth and other mentors to travel to some schools, the mode of transport can range between bus, motorcycle or even on foot. In the rainy season, some have to undertake a 5 km walk in order to reach the schools. When she began working with Corner of Hope, the camp consisted mainly of tents. Beth began by visiting the teachers in the camps and tutoring them. Morning sessions would consist of lectures and discussions with the afternoons being dedicated to making materials. Two hundred students started on the same day with two teachers in the environment. Now there are two schools in Pipeline and one in Kisima. Elementary training is now available and the first elementary class is now in operation in Kenya. In another cause for celebration, the government is now in the process of recognising the diploma nationally.
Terry Koskei spoke about the work that she is doing with the nomadic Samburu people. Terry began teaching at Corner of Hope and was offered the opportunity to join the Samburu initiative. Terry gained the trust of the Maa community by offering Montessori whilst respecting the culture of the Maa. The region that she covers is wide spread and she is mindful of always maintaining equality to each of the tribes in order to disperse any unrest. Some of her challenges are transport and infrastructure as there are no roads in these regions. Children of different ages who have never been to school need to be integrated. Terry says that whilst the wildlife, such as elephants and giraffe are very beautiful, their close proximity to the community can cause the children to be frightened of these dangerous animals, resulting on them staying away from school and having interrupted sleep due to the elephants shaking trees close to tents. Working with Nomadic people means that they often move on. Terry and her team bring backpacks filled with Montessori materials and then set off on foot to work with the children. The community have been on board with helping to make material. Vocabulary is presented in Swahili, English and Maa. Terry is pleased that Montessori has been embraced in the areas, with four teachers on the ground and six remaining at the base village. Terry ended her presentation by giving thanks to everyone who has helped her on her journey.
