Nuru Pre and Primary School: by Judy Sorensen

During our recent trip to Tanzania, Rocky and I traveled with Pastor Greg to spend the whole day with the Nuru School at Karasi Parish. We had the opportunity to meet with the teachers and visit the students. They sang for us in every crowded classroom and as we gathered outdoors on the grassy field. “Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to You.” As a matter of fact, their choir met our group at the airport when we arrived and greeted us with song, “Lord Reign in Me!”

The children were so eager to listen and learn! I shared alphabet, color and pattern charts and they chanted back with me. I read the book, “We All Went on Safari” and we practiced counting in Swahili and English.

I read “The Snowy Day” and “tried” to tell them about snow. Maxey Elementary students sent glittery snowflake cutouts and they were excited to dance around with them! “You Are My Sunshine” was new to them but everyone knew “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Pastor Joshua’s little son held Rocky’s hand as the children gathered and played outside. It was  a glorious day!

Opportunity Education Foundation, from Omaha, Nebraska, supports Nuru School with English medium curriculum, equipment, materials and teacher training. This wonderful foundation helps bring educational opportunities to over 1300 schools in Asia and Africa! The teachers here at Nuru are enthusiastic and eager to learn more about teaching and learning. They care greatly about their students. There are more than 300 children at this new school, built in partnership with Sheridan Lutheran Church. Many of the students are Maasai and had not attended school before.

Maxey Elementary students are pen pals with Nuru through Opportunity Education’s Sister School Program. We were able to deliver their first letters and little bags of school supplies. The smiles and joy of the students truly touched our hearts. Nuru means “light” in Swahili. Education is the light to a better future.

Please continue to pray for and support Nuru School at Karansi. This is our school, too and these are God’s children.