Strike

On June 25, all public primary and secondary school teachers in Kenya went on strike, asking for an increase in wages that was promised to them years ago.  Students were told to go home and schools were closed until further notice.  The strike included the teachers at Kapsowar Primary, so there was no more teaching for me.  The strike just ended on July 18, making it around 4 weeks of no school.  It was so detrimental to all of the students whose schools were cancelled.  They did not learn for about four weeks, and so it will affect their studies for the rest of the year.  Also, kids had nothing to do and could therefore get hurt or get into trouble.  Even with the strike over, the students still need prayer that they can return easily to their studies and that they will recall everything that they had been previously taught.

The strike was a very bittersweet experience for me personally.  Due to the fact that I did not have any school to teach, I was able to spend all of my days in the hospital, which I so enjoyed.  That is what I had originally hoped to do here in Kapsowar, but the need was in the school. However, God blessed me with the opportunities to work in both the school and the hospital.  It was very difficult for me, though, to be away from my students and fellow teachers at Kapsowar Primary.  I have really enjoyed all of my time with them, and I missed my new friends while the schools were out.  My biggest fear was that I would have to leave before the strike was over and that I would never get to see my students and teachers again or even say goodbye.  Thankfully, school was back in session about a week before I left, and I have seen everyone again. God definitely blessed me with the opportunities to work in both the school and hospital, and I am so thankful for both experiences!