Plans for 2017

12/30/2016

With the year winding down, we take some time to reflect on the progress we've made so far. We've made huge strides and look forward to moving the Ihururu Primary School project forward in 2017.

The main goals in 2017 include:

• Shipping the remaining books 
• Exploring ways to assist with establishing a new library

Books delivered - Box 4 and 5

09/06/2016

Ihururu Primary School received two packages. The headteacher sent the following video of the Ihururu students receiving the books.

Ihururu Primary School Library Space

08/16/2016

The Ihururu Primary School has identified a space to convert into the new school library. This is an old classroom. The School will need some selves, tables, and chairs to furnish the space.

Some pictures are posted below.

  



  

  

Books delivered - Box 4

08/27/2016

Package # 4 arrived in Nyeri. Package will be delivered to Ihururu Primary School once school opens in September 2016.

Blog name change - Harambee @ Ihururu

08/16/2016

Changed the blog name from Moving at Ihururu to Harambee @ Ihururu. Harambee is a Kiswahili word that embodies a community's efforts to pull together.

Books delivered - box 3

08/10/2016

The third package arrived in Nyeri, Kenya. Package will be delivered to Ihururu Primary School once the term opens in September 2016.

Book package shipment #5: Shipment

08/08/2016

Shipped box #5.

This shipment included storybooks, colored pencils, bulletin borders, and stickers.

Book package shipment #4: Shipment

07/23/2016

Shipped box #4. 

This shipment included storybooks for the older students, colored pencils, crayons, and a world wall map to add to the library.

Books delivered - box 2

07/13/2016

The second package arrived in Nyeri and was delivered to the Ihururu Primary School.

The head teacher, Mr. Kagiri, noted that the students are excited to receive the book and will find them useful.

 

Mrs. Wachira and Mr. Patrick Thuita present the books to the Ihururu Primary School students and headteacher.

Prep book package #5 for shipment

07/02/2016

Prep book package #5 for shipment. Will ship the package this month with an expected arrival at the beginning of September, the start of the third term.

Prep book package #4 for shipment

07/02/2016

Prep book package #4 for shipment. Content includes novels for older students in standard (grade) 5 through 8.

Blog name change

07/02/2016

Contemplating changing the blog name from "Moving Forward at Ihururu" to "Harambee at Ihururu." Harambee is the spirt of Kenya. It exemplifies the people's ability to "pull together" in advancing the community. In essence, pulling together to move the Ihururu school forward. 

Book package shipment #3: Shipment

07/02/2016

Shipped box #3. The contents included storybooks. We also included some supplies for the library that included pencils, flash cards, and decorative posters. We hope the students will love them and find them useful.

Books delivered - box 1

06/27/2016

The first shipment was delivered to the Ihururu Primary School. The photo below shows Mrs. Janet Wachira and Mr. Patrick Thuita (right) with the Ihururu School head teacher Mr. Samuel Kagiri (left) at the school.






Students at a library session.

Book catalog #2

Book Catalog #2

  

  

  

Prep book package #3 for shipment

06/26/2016

Begun preparations to mail more books and supplies. The package includes the following storybooks:

• A Little Golden Book series
• Girls To The Rescue series
• A Little House series
• Magic Tree House series
• Variety of story books
• Flash cards
• Pencils

Shipment update

06/23/2016

Package #1

Package #2

Book package shipment #2: Shipment

06/14/2016

Shipped second book package to the Ihururu Primary School. Contents included story books, flash cards, and punch cards.

Ihururu Committee meeting 06/08/2016

06/08/2016

The committee met to discuss our progress and next steps. We had a very productive meeting. Next steps will include exploring the Kenya National Library Service, check on the Ihururu Primary School priorities, and check on an updated strategic plan.

Book package shipment #2 and #3: Prep

06/06/2016

Prepared two books for shipment. Each box is 20 pounds and look forward to shipping soonest. Received a generous donation from Alan and Linda Zuckerman. This donation is to be used for shipping the books this month.

Book package shipment #1: Shipment

05/16/2016

Shipped the first package via USPS. Very expensive. Will need to find an alternative cheaper way to ship to Kenya.

This shipment includes:

• Storybooks: Walt Disney: A Bantam Book Series
• Storybooks: A Little Golden Book Series
• Storybooks: Magic Tree House
• Phonics flash cards 
• Numbers flash cards
• Word strips
• Pencils

Book package shipment #1: Prep

05/08/2016

Begun preparations to mail the first book package. Will mail via U.S. Postal Service to get the project moving. However, we'll be exploring more affordable shipment to Kenya alternatives.

This shipment will include the following:

• Storybooks: Walt Disney: A Bantam Book Series
• Storybooks: A Little Golden Book Series
• Storybooks: Magic Tree House
• Phonics flash cards 
• Numbers flash cards
• Word strips

Books from Whiteford Library #3

05/06/2016

Received boxes of story books from the Harford County Public Library - Whiteford Branch in Maryland.

Boxes: 9
Books: 669

Thanks to the Harford County local Girls Scouts troop for organizing the book drive at the local middle schools. As I mentioned to Linda, we have a great connection here. The founder of the scout movement, Lord Baden Powell adopted Nyeri Kenya, where the Ihururu Primary School is located as his home. He lived and is buried in Nyeri.

Thank you Linda and Alan.

Book catalog #1

04/30/2016

Begun cataloging the donated books in preparation for shipping to Nyeri, Kenya. My daughter, Nadia, has taken an active role in assisting with this effort.

  

  

Books from Whiteford Library #2

04/27/2016

Received 3 additional boxes of story books from the Harford County Public Library - Whiteford Branch in Maryland.

Boxes: 3
Books: 181

Thank you Alan and Linda.

Whiteford Library book drive update

04/26/2016

The Whiteford library branch has collected 20 boxes of books in collaboration with the local Girl Scout Troop. The book drives were conducted at local Middle Schools in the Harford county in Baltimore MD.

Linda also extended me an invitation to meet with the Whiteford library branch Home School Club on 05/17/2016 or later in the summer.

Thank you Linda and Alan.

Books from Whiteford Library #1

04/14/2016

Received three boxes of story books from the Harford County Public Library - Whiteford Branch in Maryland via Alan and Linda Zuckerman.

Boxes: 3
Books: 160

Will work with the Ihururu Committee on exploring ways to ship the books.

Thank you Alan and Linda.

Ihururu Committee Meeting

04/05/2016

Ihururu Committee Meeting

Meeting notes:

• Plans to ship books to the Ihururu Primary School
• Explore Ihururu Primary School's needs - School supplies
• Define the project priorities in collaboration with the Ihururu Primary School
• Explore collaboration with organizations that work with schools in Africa

Nursery School Coloring Samples

04/04/2016

Received class coloring samples from the Ihururu Primary School. These were class projects using our first shipment of school supplies.

Whiteford Library update

03/30/2016

Meeting with Alan Zuckerman to discuss collaborations with the Harford County Public Library: Whiteford Branch. We explored book donations and transfer, communications between the Ihururu School and Whitefield Library, and a pen-pal initiative.

Plaque

02/13/2016

The completed plaque was delivered to the committee.

Planning Committee meeting 12/17/2015

12/17/2015

Ihururu Project Committee meeting

• Discuss status of book drive
• Discuss school supplies next steps

Plaque Draft 2

12/12/2015

Plaque design completed. Plaque format and template selected.

Package Shipped

11/21/2015

School supplies shipped. Mrs Wachira will deliver the package to the Ihururu Primary School headteacher.

Supplies shipped: Index cards, notebooks, crayons, rulers, flash cards, pencil pockets, ball pens, pencils, scissors, protractors, push pins, glue sticks, glue, and pencil sharpers.