The past three weeks have seen secondary schools admit tens of thousands of students into form one. It has been a hectic period for any guardian whose child or candidate cleared class 8 in the year 2008. They had to get new uniform, books, bags, boxes, and a lot of new things.
On a light note: A point that varies with what school you go is that you have to come with some item e.g. jembe(hoe), slashers (grass cutters), and hockey stick e.t.c
The students are usually so excited that they have graduated from being children who could do subjects as told by the teacher in primary school to that state where they can now choose the subjects they will do in secondary school in line with their career goals.(make sure you stay tuned to this website for updates)
They are also so happy that they can now be away from their guardians for a longer time; something that might not have happened in some of their lives, especially if they attended primary schools as day pupils, which is the most significant in the country.
This, however, comes with its shortcoming since some children tend to become home sick. But this is generally a worthwhile experience for children of this age.
Sumerian foundation was not left behind in this period. Through MIALE : the child support program we support we are able to support 16 children to class 8 last year and it was a turn to give this less fortunate kids an opportunity to experience what they ought to at their age and in entirety help them build a future which otherwise was on the thin line. Maureen Buyu, who is in charge of this program, with help from James Mwangi, had to travel far and wide to various good schools so that eventually the kids get an opportunity to continue learning. After weeks of driving and walking into offices they successfully sent all the 16 kids to various schools and vocational training in different areas and locations in Kenya, all within reach of Nairobi. This exercise went into completion early this week (15th Feb. 2009). Bravo to the two and to anybody who played a part in these kids lives while they were in primary school, and now in secondary.
Arian Agoo. Age - 14.
She is one of the children Miale program has been supporting. She has been a very good girl and was it not for the program she would not be where she is right now. Over the afterschool programs that she has attended she has been of very vital importance and the bits that she has been able to achieve are tremendous. For example; Over the April holiday in 2008 she was able to share her life experiences with the rest of the children and after that 50% of the kids were able to relate with her and this changed their perspective of their lives.
In the August holiday she was able to learn how to take care of the young one in the program and in the community. She was among other couple of children who were awarded at the end of year party for the children witnessed by Melanie van de velde the foundation Director and David Sibald the Foundation Founder.
She performed equally well in the KCPE exams and together with other girls they were admitted to Mattuu Girls high school. We will have them over the April holidays when I bet you they will have stories to tell of there first year in high school.

Story by Peter Irungu