Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Annie Katz, An Interview

For me this trip is different because my daughter, Annie, is here and she is experiencing WISER for the first time.  I sat down with her and asked her about it:

How long have you been hearing about WISER?
Since your first trip, I was about 9 or 10. Then I did my bat mitzvah project to raise money for the school. All my friends came over and we did a car wash. But being here and meeting the girls is a whole different thing.  I felt an immediate connection.

So, what is your impression of WISER?
The girls are very intelligent. I am impressed with all of their skills. I know that getting into this school is a big deal so that's not a surprise. 

What are your impressions of Kenya and Muhuru Bay?
Everyone you meet in Kenya is always smiling and so friendly. I got to visit the homes of a few of my friends. They live very differently than we do in the U.S., but there is no shortage of love and pride. They welcomed us so graciously. I also got to play soccer. The field is mostly dirt and has some rocks. We played in the hot sun and my teammates wore flip flops without missing a kick. I never thought I'd play soccer in a skirt, but I did my best.

What did you bring to WISER?
My brothers taught me to play chess last summer so I brought some chess sets so the girls could start a chess club. I also taught them the Harkness Method which I learned at The Lawrenceville School where I am a Freshman. It's a great way to develop and express opinions, learn from your peers and treat others with respect when you agree or disagree. The rest of the volunteers on the trip are adults. They can really teach. I'm the same age as the girls, so this is more of a chance for me to share things I love from home and make friends.

What kind of perspective did this trip give you?
I've come to appreciate things I take for granted:  Affording an education, consistent electricity, clean water, not having to sleep under a mosquito net.

How do you plan to stay involved?
I got really close to the girls my age here at WISER and I would love to come back for their graduation.  I would also like to start a partner school chapter at Lawrenceville and do a trip here with them. I plan to advocate and raise money. I feel like WISER is my school now, too.

How can others reading this get involved?
We are doing a fundraiser during the trip. People can donate here

Annie and the Chess Club
Home visit with some of her peers
The kids are too cute for words
Annie Playing Soccer
Intro to Harkness

WISER - The Next Generation

It's amazing to be back at WISER!  So much has changed, but so much remains the same.

  • Alumni - When I attended the first graduation in 2014, they had no example. These girls have four classes of graduates to admire. We got to see Winnie, head girl in 2017, who is currently in university.
  • Numbers - In 2012 we did a fundraiser that funded a new class of Form 1 students, therefore making four complete forms for the first time. There were 90 girls here when I cam in 2013 for the first time. Now there are more than 200.
  • Diversity - There are no students here from both inside and outside of Muhuru Bay. The girls benefit from learning from a variety of perspectives now.
Some things have grown and evolved, but some things remain the same: World-class teaching and administrative class and girls with unparalleled dedication and passion for learning.





Tuesday, March 19, 2019

I'm BAAAAACK

Two years later, I embark on trip #4 to WISER in Muhuru Bay.

This trip will be special, as they always are, because this time because my husband, Michael Freidberg will be making his second excursion to WISER and my daughter Annie Katz, age 15, will be with us!

Annie is a Freshman (or Form II) at The Lawrenceville School. She's been hearing about WISER since my first trip in 2013 when she 9 years old. When she turned 13, she did her bat mitzvah project to raise money for WISER. And now, she will get to experience the magic of the WISER girls for herself as one of their peers.

We are on the plane to Nairobi right now.  We watched Queen of Katwe, which, if you haven't seen, I highly recommend (pack tissues).

So stay tuned for all the excitement of this trip!