I would like to mention that we have a new volunteer, Vicki, in Kimilili. Vicki has arrived from Ireland and will be helping the teachers and the children at CBSM Education Center to set up an improvised learning landscape: using buckets instead of truck tires.
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Phyllis and Vicki at the wholesale store
Vicki printed out and laminated the learning games, which are now part of a learning network website. She is going to carry out an evaluation of pre- and post- surveys with the children to see if the learning games promote motivation, communication, and teamwork.
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Wanswa, Phyllis, and Vicki after purchasing the buckets

The reason we have chosen buckets in the interim is because we are still trying to raise funds to build a permanent terraced surface area for our playground. The school’s playground is often flooded in rainy season and very dusty in dry season. We are working with the people at Project H Design and the CBSM board of management to come up with a possible long-term solution.

We also have to raise funds for buying the old tires. In Kimilili, tires are used on trucks until there is no possibility of driving on them any more, and then they are used to make all sorts of other goods: from building material to soles of shoes.  Where tires are concerned there are no cast-offs!
 
by Lia and Rev. Wasike

Well, we did it! We managed to reach our goal of raising 1,800 USD towards the purchase of land for the school. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped organise fund raising activities over the last six months and to the kind people who donated funds.

The majority of the money was raised over online efforts on our website and on the betterplace.org website. Yet, local fundraising in Kimilili, Kenya and Luebeck, Germany also played an important role in raising the final sum needed to purchase the land and pay for the legal fees.

Rev. Wasike called the landowner today and gave him the news. They hope to complete the sale of the land before the end of the month.


Numerous members of CBSM partook in a month long effort to speak to their community at large, often going door-to-door, asking for contributions. Some people kindly gifted food goods.
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a kind donation of maize for the auction
Whereas, others attended a fund raising event where the goods were auctioned.

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Wilfred, board member, talking to the CBSM members
Besides the auction, the children entertained the guests with song, theater and dance.
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CBSM children's choir
Last Sunday, Lia held a Tea Party For CBSM Kimilili in her hometown of Luebeck, Germany.
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Guests at the tea party fund raiser
Friends and acquaintances baked up a storm of fancy cakes and various small-scale businesses provided gifts for the raffle.
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The organisation team were given the use of one of Luebeck’s nicest restaurants for the occasion.

A few of the children attending the event kindly painted baseball caps for the children on CBSM Education Center. We will be sending the children the caps soon!
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The children in Germany  painting baseball caps for the children in Kimilili
 
by Lia

Funds were raised during the Tea Party For CBSM Kimilili in Germany to make an improvised learning landscape playground of plastic buckets.


Our volunteer, Vicki from Ireland, who has just arrived in Kenya to work with the teachers and students, will be teaching everyone language, art, and math games which that are played on the playground.

We have been offered much assitance from Emily at Project H Design. In particular, they have set up a learning network that outlines a whole series of learning games for teachers wanting to teach outdoor lessons.