ORILLIA - Lyndsay McGowan remembers the children of the rural Kenyan community she visited last year, and how they gripped their new pencils as if they were gold.
Writing tools are a precious commodity in such impoverished areas, and the gift of a pencil is treated with an appreciation unknown in this part of the world.
“They see that as their key to education and a better life,” said McGowan, a teacher at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School. “If they don’t have those pencils, they don’t learn.”
McGowan and students from Barrie’s St. Joan of Arc spent two-and-a-half weeks building a library for a community in southern Kenya, under the guidance of Free the Children, a non-governmental organization.
In May, she will return to the African republic with 22 Patrick Fogarty students.
Armed with rudimentary tools and a common goal, they will build a series of classrooms for a Masai community in an area where the nearest school can be hours away.
The project is made possible through a three-credit “leadership” course offered by the separate school board.
“It was fabulous to see the students come back and have a completely new perspective on life in North America,” she said of her inaugural experience.
Elisha Persaud, 17, looks forward to gaining a wider understanding of the world.
“We can only know so much living in Orillia,” said Persaud. “It is an incredible opportunity.”
Adds Tommy Shoniker:
“I haven’t traveled to many places, other than Florida. It is going to be amazing.”
Students need to raise about $4,200 each for the flight, food and other expenses, including supplies for the new school.
Proceeds from a March 5 dinner at the Best Western Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre will go to help offset some of the cost associated with the trip.
The evening will feature authentic African cuisine and entertainment, as well as a silent auction.
For tickets, call the school at 325-9372, Debbie Woodhouse at 329-0438 or Deb Cummings at 722-3559, ext. 359.
Tickets are $60.
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Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School teacher Lyndsay McGowan (second from right) will travel to Kenya in May with 22 students to build classrooms for Masai children. Pictured with McGowan are Victoria Woodhouse, Elisha Persaud and Tommy Shoniker.
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