Inside King's-Edgehill School

On very short notice, the Grade 9 Sciences Humaines class organized a fundraiser bake sale in support of the Barho family in Halifax who tragically lost all seven of their children in a house fire in February. Having fled the civil war in Syria, the Barhos arrived in Nova Scotia in 2017 as refugees to start anew in Canada. 

Our Grade 9 students were determined to do something meaningful to help the surviving parents with their immediate and future costs associated with this tragedy. They quickly recruited volunteers among faculty, staff, and students to provide baked goods for what is rumoured to have been the most successful bake sale in all of KES history. With the support of the entire School, between the bake sale, generous donations, and dress-down-day contributions, we raised a total of just over 1,200$!!! All in one day!! 

We thank everyone who participated in some capacity with this initiative. We are certainly proud of everyone’s generosity and support. This money will go directly to the Barho family’s cause on behalf of KES; from one family to another. 

Dear KES Family:

Okay…where did February go? Wow, that was fast!

They say that if it were not for the weather we would not have anything to talk about. I try to avoid the subject as a result. However, when the wind chill takes the temperature below -30 Celsius it becomes a significant feature of one’s life. When not one but two water pipes freeze and burst, the resultant flooding is worth a remark or two.

I have never seen it rain indoors until last night. Stepping into the Fauchers’ apartment in Buckle House was like walking into a torrential downpour. The burst sprinkler pipe on the top floor sent cascades of water through every cranny and crack of the ceiling which then flooded the second floor before consequently cascading yet again through the first floor ceiling into the kitchen and dining room areas below. Within minutes the fire trucks started to arrive as did our own staff. The instant response from our community was remarkable.

Recently, our students participated in the annual KES Cultural Fair, giving them an opportunity to share information with one another about their countries, including foods, traditions, and of course Arts and entertainment. Leading up to our variety show, I was teaching the first term Grade 10 Fine Arts ensemble music class which included students from around the world. This group was featured at our recent Coffee House and Cultural Fair variety showcase. They performed a Chinese rap song, a Spanish pop song, and this Japanese song, sung by Japanese students Hidemi Sato and Ayumu Goto. The musicians include: Haichuan (River) Qi on guitar, Tyra Alleyne on drums, Claudia Villaorduna on keyboard, and Aidan Burke Hennigar on bass.This group was a lot of fun to teach and they were a hit among their peers. I have asked Hidemi to introduce the Japanese song in this week's clip and give you some background:

Dear KES Family:

The last time I went with KES students to Africa, our service work took us to the Maasai village of Ngare Sero in northern Tanzania. There is no electricity or running water. The traditional agrarian lifestyle abounds. Outside the fence of thorns which protects our campground are the ageless bomas and mud dwellings of the local people. The sounds of goat and cattle bells, the bleats and bovine moos, fill the quiet stillness of the evenings. Located in the depths of the Rift Valley, it is excessively hot during the day. Dust devils swirl and heat waves shimmer and distort the horizon’s edge. Ancient volcanoes stand watch over the baked land and alkaline waters of Lake Natron.
 
Outside our campground children wait, hopeful for a morsel of food or a charitable shilling. We are advised not to feed them, not to give them anything. Tears flow. On both sides.
 
Life is not perfect in North America, but how could one even begin to describe to the children we will meet the technology and wealth involved with an Uber Eats app on an iPhone, or the Boston Pizza concept of “finger cooking”, or a HelloFresh weekly menu and meal delivery service?
 
The difference we will make there will be in education, in building classrooms and food shelters and water supply. The 26 KES students and their families have done an admirable job raising money to help fund the projects that the tribal elders have requested we undertake. I have no doubt that our labour and sweat (and funds) will make a huge difference in the lives of the children and families in the Lake Natron area. However, I think the lessons we learn from our experience will make the biggest difference of all.