All 35 students achieved a university entrance grade

School mean score: 9.8

Ranked as position twelve out of all the schools in the country

Two students have an overall A grade, meaning they are among the top 0.14% of students in the country

It was all smiles at school when the current students heard the news. A lucky group even boarded the bus for a celebratory drive round the town!

Thank you to our staff, to our sponsors and other supporters, and to God.

On Saturday our Form Fours loaded their belongings onto various forms of transport and headed home! We wish them all the best as they catch up with family and friends, await their exam results and look forward to their next steps in life.

Special thanks to the sponsors and other supporters who made these young people’s secondary education possible.

At the Form Fours’ final Sunday service, each student shared what they hope to be doing between leaving school and joining university, which is likely to be a period of about nine months. Their plans include helping their family members, growing vegetables, rearing chickens, selling goats, working on construction sites, making and selling beadwork, volunteering as teachers, mentoring other young people, getting involved in church activities, studying computer skills, and more. They have been working very hard this term, and indeed for four years, so it is not surprising that one student said his first plan is to sleep for a week!

Our Form Ones have completed their first year at Kisima – let’s hear what some of them have to say about their experiences:

• ‘My first year has been wonderful. I have made a lot of friends and learnt a lot.’

• ‘Kisima is one of the best places that anyone would want to be. Everyone here is totally good and I really mean it.’

• ‘I am always comfortable here and I refer to Kisima as my second home.’

• ‘It has been so good to be at Kisima. I have learnt new things about people from all over the country.’

• ‘Kisima is my second family. People are very friendly and strive to help each other.’

• ‘Being in Kisima is a pleasure to me, it is a golden chance that the Lord provided me.’

• ‘I thank God for He has given me a peaceful and healthy environment in Kisima where I am getting quality education.’

• ‘All our teachers have been good to us and I appreciate the great success they have given us.’

• ‘My one year in Kisima has been the best year ever in my life. I am so happy when I am at Kisima.’

As they move on to Form Two in January, a new group of forty students will take their place in Form One and we are looking for sponsors for them. Do please get in touch (office@kisima.org) if you would like to find out more about becoming a sponsor so that a young person can change their life through education and have a lot of fun along the way!

Last Sunday we welcomed some visitors, both young and old, to Kisima. These were family members of our Form Fours, a few former students, and friends from a local church, who all joined us to wish the students well in their national exams.

In our morning service, the sermon reminded us that if we choose to walk with God we will know His presence giving us peace, whether in the exam room or elsewhere. There were also songs from each of the classes and a special time of prayer for the candidates.

After lunch, which included everyone’s favourite chapatis, we gathered in the hall again. Students, staff and family members shared their advice and encouragement, and cards were given to the Form Fours. For many, the highlight was the two cakes that were ushered in with a song from a student’s grandmother and then shared with everyone who was present.

Today is the day that Kenyans remember the country’s heroes – not only those who fought for independence, but people from all walks of life who are helping to build the nation and change individual lives. To everyone who supports Kisima in any way – you are our heroes.

Although it is a public holiday, sadly time did not allow the students to have a break from their studies and exams. But at least the day was marked with some sweet treats here and there!

The Form 1-3 students are taking their end of term exams, and the Form 4s are still preparing for their KCSE, but after a day of concentration there is a chance to relax on the games field or the basketball pitch. We have some sporting giants as well as academic giants!

Our Scouts have been working on their marching skills in some training sessions given by students from Nyandarua National Polytechnic – many thanks to them!

Later this term the Form Four students will be taking their national exams that mark the end of their secondary education. These exams include practicals in the three science subjects, so their teachers are giving them plenty of opportunities to practise, such as last week’s Physics practical which required them to determine the resistance of a wire.

As you can see, our original school building is now dwarfed by the new I.C.T. and teaching block that is under construction! The main structure is complete and other works are progressing well. Here are some members of the hard-working team who are busy plastering, welding, wiring and more.