Ground Breaking

Today, we visited the plot of land that will be the new home for Daylight Center and School. Not only am I here, in Kenya, doing research for my master's thesis, but as a Daylight board member, it is an opportunity to see for myself the strides Daylight is making in its community.

Currently, Daylight is renting space from a seminary in Kapenguria. But this only allows for classroom space, not for boarding children from the lowlands, many kilometers away. These children, along with orphaned children, are hosted by families in Kapenguria for now.

Daylight raised enough funds last fall to purchase 3 acres of the 12-acre plot of land we visited today, in order to relocate the school and begin building dormitories so that more children can attend Daylight.

I understand that my presence today was very important. The man who is selling the land is not convinced that Daylight will follow through as planned, and purchase the remaining 9 acres. Until he is convinced, he wants to measure the 3 acres purchased beginning at the far end of the land, farthest away from the entrance on the property. In the event that he is persuaded to sell the remaining 9 acres to someone else, Daylight would have no way of expanding its property to make more room for additional dormitories, classrooms, a cafeteria, or soccer field/play area.

My presence and reassurance today gave the man some confidence that the plans Michael has been proposing are more likely to happen. But it was communicated that purchasing another 3 or more acres would assist in the negotiations regarding where the measurements would start...from the main entrance, or from the far end of the property.

There are more people in Kenya than there is useable land. As a result, land is very expensive...about $5,000 per acre! 

Michael asked me to ceremoniously break ground on the land to further demonstrate and reinforce the promise that there is a whole board of directors back in the United States working to raise the funds for this project. 

Although my research has just barely begun, I am already noticing a pattern in people's response to my question about the main challenges their communities are facing: although drought, hunger, and medical care are paramount concerns in Pokot, most of my interviewees state that these are not the real issues, these are merely symptoms of a greater need for education. Education is the long-term solution.

I am so excited to be involved in Daylight, witnessing history being made through this movement of education to eradicate thirst, hunger, and illness and to empower people to serve their communities in a life changing way.

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