22 youngsters impacted by the Scriptures at Promise Day School Dandora
Promise Day School is a private school that caters for the education needs of the low-income families in Dandora right from baby class to standard eight. It is a humble looking school nestled in an area that is heavily build up and in fact some its class rooms were once residential houses. The school is now 8 years old. Despite these circumstances wonderful things are happening to the lives of the children attending this school.
About a year ago Mr Raphael Bondo a “faith comes by hearing” (FCBH) promoter working in Dondora and Korogocho in the low income eastern area of Nairobi introduced the audio Scripture listening programme to the school and thankfully the administration of the school welcomed the initiative. The first batch of pupils to engage in the programme completed it successfully and the school in conjunction with the FCBH promoter invited BSK to witness and facilitate the graduation ceremony for the 22 pioneers. Completion of the programme means that the participants had listened to the entire New Testament from book of Mathew to Revelation.
On the Friday of 2nd Dec 2005 at 11.00am four BSK members arrived at Promise Day School as earlier planned. The team comprised of Moses Muguro the FCBH Coordinator, Janet Kioko and Everlyn Aruka FCBH Representatives, Thomas Tharao the Resource Mobilization Manager and Mr Raphael Bondo. Despite the mood of excitement and high expectation among the team non of them quite knew what awaited them. The team was warmly welcomed to the school by the school FCBH facilitator Miss Beatrice Mwangi. They were ushered in a small courtyard where the ceremony was to take place.
After opening prayers the team delved straight into the business of the day. Miss Mwangi invited the children who had undergone the programme in front of the guests from BSK. The children were between ages 11 and 12 years and they at first looked shy and timid. One by one they were each invited to recite Scriptures that they had memorized in the course of the programme. Each one amazed their audience with their depth of knowledge of Scriptures as they each quoted long portions eloquently.
The BSK team did not fail to notice the high level of discipline among the children as throughout the session there were no interruptions even when the teacher briefly walked away. The BSK was then invited to speak to the children as they prepared to present them with certificates.
Moses told the children that their effort to know the word of God was no in vain. He appealed the children to obey their parents and asked them to be faithful in reading God’s word day and night. Mrs Aruka told the children that she was excited that the children ha done such a good jod of learning the word of God.
The children were then presented with certificates and Scripture portions of the book of John. The children then shared the quote of the day with the BSK staff; “Never quarrel with crocodile while your legs are in water”. Perhaps this might be useful to them sometime later in life.
Mr. Geoffrey Mochoma the Christian Religious Education teacher encouraged and welcomed BSK to get more involved in the school to give guidance and counseling to bless the children and help them in their lives. BSK team was pleased to know that 50 more pupils were now engaged in the programme and they will graduate in 2006. This was a very encouraging experience for the BSK team and their prayer is that you may get more encouraged to support FCBH in schools financially to reach more primary school children with the word of God.