The Michigan Kenya Partnership 2020 Report

In February, just before the COVID lockdowns, MichiKen led a service trip of 42 students and faculty from the University of Michigan Schools of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Medicine.  A marvelous article and photos of this trip was the top item on the UM website in May: https://global.umich.edu/newsroom/helping-learning-in-kenya/  Many thanks to Fernanda Pires (UM writer) and Austin Thomason (UM photographer) who traveled with our team.  

A longtime goal of MichiKen was achieved this year with the expansion of the Digital Village program to include internet hotspots throughout the Kithoka community.  These hotspots were installed at two churches which are providing space for BLISS and university students to continue their learning during COVID school closures.  Teachers and community members also accessed the internet using their phones and hotspots.  Teachers and students established WhatsApp groups to support student learning.  In partnership with the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, the MichiKen Digital Village program provided computers and internet capability to Gichunge and Kithoka Primary Schools.  This complex expansion was proposed, designed, and implemented by Julius Mwangi, the MichiKen Technology Manager, with the assistance of his US mentor, Jim Sterken.  Julius even scaled the tower which had to be heightened for additional connectivity.  Learn more about the ambitious and longstanding Digital Village program at https://www.michiken.org/digital-village.  

The music programs are thriving in Kithoka.  Larry Dittmar, a retired music educator from Ann Arbor, has worked with the Kenyans for more than ten years to provide musical instruments and education in the Kithoka area schools.  Through their efforts and dedication, an extraordinary goal was achieved this year. The Teachers Service Commission, independently chartered by the Kenya Constitution, granted BLISS a government-funded music teacher position in 2021.  (Until now, the position held by Mr.Timothy Ngoroi has been funded through donations.) Timothy’s skills and dedication were critical to achieving this milestone.  Congratulations are also due to the many BLISS students who have added musical education, practice and performance to their demanding academic schedules.  Play on, band!!!

US supporters of the Kithoka music program also helped fund the Great Hall on the BLISS campus.  When we visited in February, Education Day was held with over 700 students and their families and teachers.  This building allows full school assemblies during the rainy seasons and will be used for extended classroom space and community gatherings.

Various nonprofits, including MichiKen, have responded to emergency needs during the COVID crisis.   The Kenya government responded quickly in March with national wide lockdowns, prohibited social gatherings, curfews, and school closures.  Kithoka ducked the first wave, though the second and third waves are threatening the rural areas.  Hospital resources are severely limited.  Schools are scheduled to fully open in January, 2021, and the lack of PPE, clean water for sanitation, and isolation space is troubling.  

There are no unemployment checks in Kenya, so MichiKen and FUMC Ann Arbor provided salary relief for BLISS teachers, to ensure they could stay in the community until the schools reopened.  MIchiKen also supported small business owners by deferring loan repayments for those impacted by COVID.  We are grateful that some of our microloan recipients were able to continue their loan payments.  

While 2020 has been a difficult year for the world, we are heartened by the accomplishments of the people of Kithoka and their partners from the USA.  We have again demonstrated the meaning of the “global village”.  Thanks to all in Kenya and the USA who have joined the MichiKen community of donors and “do-ers”!