Karibu!
Posted By Ryan Crocker
Posted 3 months ago
Karibu!
That's how staff, students, and their families at Hazelridge School recently welcomed Simon Nabukwesi, Kenya's High Commissioner and the country's ambassador to Canada.
The Swahili greeting delighted Nabukwesi, who was already thrilled to meet with the students and share his love of Kenya with them.
"Over the past few weeks, our students have been reading different facts about Kenya," explained Lana Gardner, principal of the school. One of the books, Kenya ABC, teaches students about Kenya using the alphabet. The students recited several examples, such as I is for Indian Ocean. They noted the Kenyan city of Mombasa, the country's largest port, is on the coast of the Indian Ocean.
"Students also had visual views of different parts of Kenya through the internet," Gardner added, noting this included scenes from the capital city, Nairobi. Showing the students a modern, African city was especially powerful since Nairobi's glittering skyscrapers and flower-filled parks stand in stark contrast to stereotypes about Africa. They also had a look at Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and admired the various animals in Kenya.
Nabukwesi was surprised by the extensive knowledge the students had about Kenya and was touched by their warm hospitality. A Kenyan flag was proudly displayed in the school and the students even knew what its colors symbolized.
The black stripe symbolizes the Kenyan people, the red stripe symbolizes their struggle for freedom, and the green stripe symbolizes their country. White lines between the stripes represent unity and peace.
"I am so happy to be here," he said. "When I was in school, I learned about Canada, about the prairies, Niagara Falls, and I'm so grateful, it's so exciting, to see you know so much about Kenya."
Nabukwesi complimented the staff for the quality of education they provide and the students for being so enthusiastic about learning. He said it takes years, and a great deal of patience, to educate students and prepare them for life. He added he was very impressed with everything he'd seen at Hazelridge School.
"Grow to be the best that you can be," he told the students.
Nabukwesi also answered their questions. One student asked what Kenyans eat and Nabukwesi explained the basic ingredients of the cuisine are the same as here but they do have some unique dishes. Another asked if all Kenyans have electricity, and he said in urban areas most do but in the countryside some Kenyans use solar power or even firewood to heat their homes and cook. Another asked about the weather and he said it's superb, summer temperatures here are about as cold as it ever gets in Kenya.
Nabukwesi was also asked what sorts of animals can be found in Kenya, and he listed many of the favourites of the students - elephants, rhinos, hippos, leopards, lions, cheetahs, flamingos, zebras, and many more. Another student asked if Kenyans have televisions and computers, and he said in urban areas almost everyone does, the electronic equipment is a favourite purchase for Kenyans.
Before he left, the students presented him with a variety of gifts and tokens of their appreciation. Nabukwesi noted the students of Kenya have a great deal to share as well and explained Hazelridge School is working to establish connections with a school in Kenya. It's an effort Gardner is very excited about.
"We will have the opportunity to communicate back and forth with our pen
pal school in Kenya," she said. "We look forward to building that communication bridge between our community schools as an opportunity for more learning."
