A Thank-you to KLO Middle School staff and students:

In this entry I want to extend a heartfelt thank you and express my immeasurable gratitude to the teachers, staff, and most especially the students of KLO Middle School for their incredible generosity in raising money for the learners of Shaanika Nashilongo Secondary School in Okahao, Namibia. I was blown away and overwhelmed upon receiving over $800 from my mother, Mrs. Taylor, in contributions from your fund raising efforts. Nothing that I say here can do justice to the charity and big-heartedness that you have shown me and my learners. I would simply like to tell you what your efforts have afforded my school.

Over the school holiday I went shopping in the capital city of Windhoek for much-needed supplies for our library. With just over half of the allotted provisions I was able to pick up:

-2 big laminated HIV/AIDS information posters

-a laminated wall map of Africa

-a huge wall map of the world, which has been posted on a library wall

- 2 gr12 English exam preparation study guides for the library

- a complete guide to gr12 Cambridge exams for the library and for teachers to use for preparing learners for end-of-year exams (3 books-one for each module of the exam that they write: listening comprehension, reading and directed writing, and compositions)

- complete guide to gr10 Cambridge exams for the library and for teachers to use for preparing learners for end-of-year exams (3 books-one for each module of the exam that they write: listening comprehension, reading and directed writing, and compositions)

- 3 Oxford dictionary & thesaurus'

-2 Oxford student dictionary for students learning English as a second language

-Collins primary thesaurus

-Collins rhyming dictionary

-2 Oxford "Good English" dictionary/guides to writing and speaking English properly

- 2 books of African short stories

- 2 copies of Jack & The Beanstock, 2 of Hansel and Gretel, and 2 of Golidlocks and Three Bears in easy novel format

- 4 Princess novels/story books (Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White)

- 6 glue sticks for use in the classroom with class activities

- 2 laminated reference charts of English composition and stylistic writing and one for commonly misspelled English words
-3 Goosebumps novels
-3 Dr. Seuss story books

In addition to this I purchased two netball balls for the girl's netball team, who were in serious need of balls for playing and practicing with. They were so excited to receive the new balls, and I have seen them practising outside every day since they have received them. And, as it turns out, I may soon be their new coach! (I should probably learn a thing or two about netball before I take this on!) I also purchased two frisbees for the learners to play with during their PE periods, during which they are often just ushered out into the field to loiter and play amongst themselves with no equipment or balls or special activities to take part in.

I am currently involved in organising the new materials in the library for the learners to be able to take the books out for reading and to use the study materials in the library to help better prepare them for their national exams at the end of the year. Last year we had only 8 of 220 grade 12 learners pass their English final exam. This year, with the help of the new English study corner in the library and the after-school lessons that myself and the English department are giving, we are hoping to, at the very least, double that result. All of your efforts will have helped to make that possible. More children at my school, who are thirsty for knowledge and books to read, will be able to read books that are at their reading level and thus increase their self-esteem and confidence in English. This, in turn will lead to more and more reading and with it, higher proficiencies in English. You made this happen. You have empowered them in ways you, I, or even the kids themselves will never fully realise. You have provided children with the tools to achieve their dreams by graduating and going on to post-secondary education. This may not have been possible without the books and resources that you have provided. And, through the enduring magic of books and knowledge, you will have transformed and enabled learners who pass through Shaanika Nashilongo SS on their ways to bigger, better, and brighter futures for years to come.

You all know the expression "every little bit helps" - well, you have done so much more than a "little bit"; and the help, and the good, that is will provide is immeasurable. So, from the bottom of my soul, and on behalf of all of the learners and staff at Shaanika Nashilongo Secondary School, I want to thank you for the kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, altruism and hard work of your fund raising efforts at KLO Middle School. You have truly made a difference in so many lives.

There is still just over $300 remaining from the moneys that were raised, and I am hoping to purchase some more PE equipment and reading materials and resources for the library as they become available. I promise to continue to update this blog entry with every new purchase made with the money that you have fund raised until the last cent has been spent. I also hope to take pictures of the evidence of your efforts in my school and will post those as they become available. Once again, thank you so much for all of your hard work and support!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Lahn