Derby Educator Volunteering In Africa

Editor’s note: Lois Knapton is volunteering in Africa. She’ll be sharing updates with the Valley Indy. Her first installment is below.

My name is Lois Knapton and I am the Special Education Director in Derby Public Schools. 

I am privileged to have an opportunity to go live for three months in Nairobi, Africa and share my Special Education knowledge base with a country that does not even acknowledge disabilities or have any laws regarding disabilities. 

My job here in America is to advocate for students with disabilities, assuring they get the education they deserve. 

In Kenya, if you are disabled, you are lucky to stay alive.

On Friday, May 25, 2012, I will spend 24 hours traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, where I will be spend three moths working along side staff and students of a private school called Missions of Hope. 

It was founded in 2000 by Mary Kamau. She had a dream of building a school in the largest slum in Africa, the Mathare Valley. It is 3 miles long and one half mile wide and houses over one million people. 

There is no sewer and no running water. Until you have witnessed this kind of poverty first hand, you simply cannot imagine it. No words describe it. 

But there is hope â€¦ 

The school started with 50 children and has grown to over 7000.

So how did I get this opportunity? 

I went a missions trip with 24 other educators, last summer, with my church from NH. I loved it so much, I wanted to go back. 

When Missions of Hope called and asked me to come back, I was elated. But this time I am going alone, with support when I get over there. 

I will be posting a weekly blurb and photo, describing the trip from the inside. 

Please follow my weekly blog as I embark on this profound life-changing experience overseas.

Note: Knapton completed her work year at the school district before leaving for this volunteer service.

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