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One of the Bukati-Project Goals is:
Educate all AIDS orphans in Butula, Western Kenya
A well-rounded student has education, music; arts; sports; and play-time.
Here are some photos of the students singing, dancing, and playing.
Update: Email received on Sat. Aug. 15 2009, from Dr. Cate
Dewey in Kenya
Dear friends and family
Just thought I would send another note or two before I land back in Canada. Once I am there - some of these thoughts
and memories will fade into the deep recesses of my mind - perhaps never again to resurface :-)
Randy and I visited Bukati Primary school on the last day of the semester so we participated in the closing ceremonies.
This included awarding pens and scribblers (notebooks) to the top 3 students in each grade. The master of ceremonies
(one of the teachers) announced that the assembly would last 40 minutes and the speakers, after the students' dances,
and poems and awards would be the head teacher, vice principal, chair of the school board, one of the University
students selected by their team (it was actually Jamie VanderBerg) and the 'guests of honor' Professor Cate and
her husband Mr. Randy.
I always wonder what to say during these times. I feel like I am to address the children but those at the front
are the youngest and they likely cannot understand me. I often encourage the children to work hard on their studies
and to be helpful to their teachers (knowing that COB has made the teacher's jobs harder with bigger classes).
Last year, after the students had lavished me with praise during the assembly, I spoke of how Canadians are raising
the money but Nick, the staff and the community are doing the day to day work to make the project a reality. This
year, I told the school why I started COB. How I had travel led to many villages and seen lots of hungry children
not going to school but it was one very poor pig farmer caring for 12 children who blessed me by saying 'May God
go with you' that made be pick "the green and white school". I am not sure if any of the children understood,
but Randy told me that the teachers listened to every word. It struck me that many Canadians have heard that story
but Kenyans hadn't. |
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Above: The students are running for the Final Assembly.
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Above 4 photos: The students are getting into their spots, for
the Final Assembly and show to begin.
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Above: The students are waiting for the Final Assembly and show
to begin.
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Above: Some of the students dancing for Cate and the University
of Guelph students.
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Standard 8 song and dance - VIDEO
The students singing and dancing in this video are Grade 8 students, and they are dancing
to say Thank You to Dr. Cate Dewey and the Children of Bukati project.
Click here for a 2.5
minute YouTube video of a song done by the Grade 8 class in late July 2009.
The above video is an example of the "call and response" song, that is a very traditional
type of singing done around the world, but especially in Sub-Saharan African cultures. In the call and response
style, the “call” is usually sung by a soloist and tells a story. The response is usually sung by a group and is
a response to whatever the soloist has sung.
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Above: Students dancing at the final assembly.
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Above: Students in the audience
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Above: Students dancing.
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Update: Email received on Sat., August 1, 2009 from Dr.
Cate Dewey in Kenya
Hi everyone
Although the children were only given one day's notice about our visit last Saturday, they still prepared songs
and poems and dances for the assembly that they presented at . Some of the words to the songs follow.
They sang that:
Before we were thin but now we are fat (our impression is that they are still fairly thin but do at least
now look like they are eating).
Before we could not work because of hunger but now our stomach is full.
Now my intestines are tied (that means they have a full belly), there is nothing I cannot do.
Grade 7 sang
Give me a chance, I am able;
Let us now pull together to make our school progress.
There was a poem about the rights of children that spoke of the right to eat and the right to be educated.
Another poem said
AIDS is killing doctors and nurses, teachers and parents, leaving many orphans, leaving broken hearts in
graves.
But it ended by saying African child, be strong and live life.
Grade 8 sang
Open the door for the children to enter. On this day of joy and happiness, we warmly welcome you. Education
is the key to life, come join us now.
Grade 4 sang
Welcome visitors, we know you have walked a long way
Feel welcome
We know you are tired but we will give you rest
I was sleeping when something whispered to me that Cate would come
Nick, keep cool because Cate has come
Now I can dance before her.
Then 2 little girls said a poem that said take me to Canada and lock me there. They were 2 little orphans.
They think that coming to Canada will make their lives perfect. I still firmly believe that helping the children
stay in Kenya to live with their extended family and be educated here is the best option.
Canadians can help so many more children that way.
Lots of love
Cate
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Above: Students in the audience; notice the girl at the right
is the drummer.
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Above: The students enjoy the show.
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Below is a continuation of the email received on Sat. Aug. 15 2009,
from Dr. Cate Dewey in Kenya:
As Randy and I went forward to speak, the head teacher said that they were going to have Randy and I participate
in Kenyan culture before we spoke. I wasn't sure what we were in for and really hoped they were not going to ask
me to dance! The whole school broke into song and then Pamela (the head teacher) brought a Kenyan shirt for Randy
and skirt and matching blouse for me. They were tailored especially for us. The only problem was that Pamela's
estimate of my body size was a little wrong! The outfit, which she fitted over my pants (with bulging pockets)
and t-shirt, was especially snug. It was pretty funny actually. Luckily, I had had 2 weeks of white toast for breakfast,
little to no lunch and boiled cabbage and fruit for dinner, so I had lost weight. But, the students and teachers
were thrilled to have me dressed in traditional Kenyan woman's attire and I gave my speech in local dress. |
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Above: Cate and her husband, Randy, are given traditional dress
to wear.
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Above: Cate shows off her new traditional dress.
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Above: Cate talking to the students.
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Above: Boys playing a game of "keep the ball in the air"
by hitting the ball with their hands or head. They came to the school on Sunday afternoon in order to play.
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Above: Cate with some students.
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