Beacon Scholars presented their summer Citizenship Projects and Tom Vohya (Founder, Maisha Trust) addressed the Beacon Community.
The day began with an introduction of the new Beacon Kenya Rep Dr Susan Kiragu, and a welcome to visitors, including Mentors from two new Beacon Schools – Alliance Boys and Starehe Boys’ Centre.
Trustee Ajay Sood then recognised outstanding leadership and academic achievements of Beacon Scholars in the past year:
- Farzana Huysman – First Class grade in her first year at Cambridge, and Vice-Captain of College Women’s Football Team
- Darryl Ursin – 4A* and 1A at A-Level, entering London School of Economics
- Joy Lelei – appointed Prefect in Senior School at St. Andrew’s, Turi
- Awuor Onguru – Director’s Award for Creative Thinking, and elected Year Group Rep at ISK
- Malaika Njema – appointed Deputy Head Girl at Pembroke House
After summarising Beacon achievements over the past year, Ajay outlined development plans, including the addition of top schools in Tanzania and Uganda, and more international universities, to the Beacon Programme.
ADDRESS – TOM VOHYA, Founder Maisha Trust
Tom Vohya then addressed the audience with a Keynote Speech about the Maisha Trust, and in particular Oasis Kindergarten which he set up in Kibera. He outlined how difficult it had been to negotiate for space and to build the school. He described how the vision was to create an ‘oasis’ in a difficult environment where hope is the only possibility for desperate people faced with extreme poverty. He showed a video of how the construction of the buildings took shape and how it is now populated with very young children, dressed in uniforms, able to get a high standard of early childhood education, and at least one good and nutritious meal a day. It was truly an inspiration to see what Tom has achieved and what it took to overcome what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles to achieve the vision.
SCHOLAR CITIZENSHIP PRESENTATIONS
The Symposium had as its centrepiece Scholar presentations of their Citizenship Projects. All Scholars made presentations; new Scholars spoke briefly about past citizenship activities.
BEACON SCHOLAR | PROJECT |
| Gloria Tergat | Building dorms for FGM girls |
| Lem Mbaga | Unclean water |
| Joy Lelei | Workers Day |
Betty Kunyada | Deaf children |
| Farzana Huysman | STEM subjects for girls |
| Malaika Njema | Giraffe conservation |
| Grace Muema | Elephant conservation |
| Maria Beebe | Female hygiene |
| Lawrence Mutua | Informal settlements |
| Amy Migunda | KSPCA |
| Rosa Kimweli | Urban water use |
| Matilda Ndinda | Global warming |
| Awuor Onguru | Music in the ghetto |
| Jeremie Basset | Art with orphans |
The presentations were of very high quality, and thoroughly appreciated by all. Scholars have been encouraged to share their presentations with their schools and Mentors.
Click here for a Feedback Summary of what Scholars had to say about the Symposium
