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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Although the group has been back from Kenya for more than two months, the participating students have had an experience that will stay with them for life.

Hanna Lowing is taught to read Swahili by a group of students at Ringa School in Kenya. - photo courtesy of Johanna French

Eleven Sir John Franklin High School students, two younger Yk1 representatives and seven adult chaperones visited Kenya in March 2012. With support from the community, the students fundraised for more than a year to build three new classrooms for Simotwet School in Kenya.

Johanna French is a teacher at Sir John Franklin High School and was one of the chaperones.

She grew up in Kenya and spent years working in Tanzania.

"The most amazing part was hearing everything our students had to say about the trip," said French.

In total, six new classrooms were built after an Albertan couple, Jim and Gloria Stenhouse, matched the donations from Yellowknife.

The students made the trip to Kenya to take part in the opening ceremonies of the new classrooms. The newly constructed buildings were left unused until the Sir John students were able to attend.

"Even though the classes were ready, they wanted to wait for our students before using them," said French. "It was a way of showing honour and respect."

"I was surprised to discover that a kid like me had something to contribute to the Kenyans," said Mikelle Wile.

"Simply the fact that we were there and we cared about them was a huge encouragement to them and cause for celebration."

The Grade 11 student initiated the fundraising efforts at Sir John and partnered with A Better World Canada for the project.

Wile said the trip has influenced what she wants to do in the future.

"I know this is what I want to do," she said. "Maybe that means I will continue to do trips like this on holidays or maybe it means I will pursue some type of international development as a career."

She wasn't the only one who felt the trip changed her goals. Grade 10 student Hanna Lowing said the trip changed her for the better.

"The people we met in Kenya have helped me think about my future," she said.

“I want to eventually have a job that doesn't only benefit me, but benefits others."

French said the experience was amazing and she was thrilled with the greetings the students received at each destination.

"Everywhere they went they were greeted by singing and dancing," she said.

"It was so wonderful to see their faces light up."

The students also visited a traditional Masai village and were able to go on a safari.

The partnership between Sir John and Simotwet School is far from over. Assistant principal Dean MacInnis said they are looking into helping Simotwet School construct a building that could house a lunch program.

Wile hopes that that the collaborati0on continues.

"It was a life changing experience and I want all future Sir John students to have the same opportunity I did," she said.

"Imagine all the improvements that could be made around Kenya, and maybe other countries too."

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