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.

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!

Not Goodbye, Only Farewell

It's taken me a day to begin this post. I thought after my third visit, I would be able to leave WISER without much emotion. As I am so often, I was wrong. 

We stood and listened to the girls' assembly, heard them sing the WISER song in harmony and rounds, then said our goodbyes to the faculty and Madame Dorcas. I was caught off guard when a Form 4 (fourth year) student I spent time with came to the door. She handed me a note and hugged me. She ran back to class and I read the note that brought me to tears, "Dear Melissa, Having you for this short period of time has been so important to me, I want to sincerely thank you for giving me your time...you coming here enabled me to have hope that one day I will come to my dream." The note went on and reduced me to a puddle of tears. I promised her I would not violate her confidence, but suffice it to say this girl made an impression on my heart that will never go away. 

That's what WISER girls do. Without assumption, pure sincerity, and unending gratitude, they make an indelible mark. When I look at the grand scheme of the investment of time and money, time away from work and my own children, it is worth it to be touch by a group of girls who want to change their fate and then the world. 

If  I was a betting person, I would put all my money on them. 

 

 

You've Got to Want it

The trip is amazing, the girls are inspiring, but the travel can be rough. So far we've had one person with a fever, one get stung by a wasp and go to the hospital (she's back and she's fine) and others suffering from exhaustion. 

The safari van ride here took us many hours over several days. The bunk house has mosquito netting over each bunk bed, running water, a button you press for hot showers, and indoor plumbing. It is luxurious by many Kenyan standards, but not necessarily by any  American ones. 

My point of mentioning it is to compliment the the volunteers who have taken time away from their jobs, their families and the comforts of home to teach here this week. They come from many backgrounds and geographies and are shining examples of success for the girls. I'm sure they would each attest that it's not easy, but it's worth it. 

 

Ash looking good in her new sling 

Guest Blog by Michael Freidberg

We visited the market at Muhuru Bay yesterday. The girls are all from this area, and many of their parents approached our group to hug their children and speak with our volunteers. One man proudly explained that his youngest daughter and his first granddaughter are both WISER students. 

We took a short walk to the fishing port on the shore of Lake Victoria. The girls, delighted by a chance to escape the equatorial heat, jumped in the water for a quick swim. They also used the visit to work on an assignment from their class on Entrepreneurship - they conducted a market survey to assess potential demand for one of their science fair projects: a solar-powered LED lamp to attract fish to the fishermen's nets. 

As we walked back to the market, I was struck by the realization that we are less than 400 kilometers from Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakeys discovered the fossils of Homo Habilis. We evolved here, and we have walked the land by this lake for millions of years. We have come home.

 

WISER Dad and Grandfather all in one 

Happy Place

Carrie and I are the only repeat volunteers this trip. The whole ride here I felt like the obnoxious return camper trying to explain camp to a newbie. It's hard to explain the joy that envelopes you like a warm embrace when you experience these girls. The girls greet you with a warm welcome, we are so glad you're here, we missed you. They hold your hands. Proudly show you the campus. Ask questions and always, always want to see the pictures on your phone and pose for more. 

The expectation is that Wiser girls will resemble the stereotypical American teenager: hard to reach, resentful, rebellious. I suppose when your life depends on your education, your attitude changes. Gratitude is your default position. The school that believes in you and invests in you becomes your "happy place." It has been fun to watch the presumptions of the new volunteers melt away once they get to know the girls. 

The entire energy of the campus is one of love mixed with joy. Even the most cynical among us is forever changed by the sweet smile of a WISER girl. 

This is a lame attempt to describe it to you, I wish you were all here with us to experience it as well. It's the best perspective you can get and it doesn't cost a thing. 

 

Guest Blog by the Millennials: Maggie and Kelsey!

Hi there!

It's Millennial time! We are taking over the blog for this post about our trip to the market in Muhuru Bay. 

After a morning assembly, the lorry (truck) transported 90 girls to the nearby market, an infrequent activity for the students. In true hospitality, the girls were eager to act as our personal guides. Taking us by both hands, they went above and beyond to ensure our experience was informative and enjoyable. 

The girls were elated to dive into Lake Victoria where they used to retrieve their water prior to WISER. It wasn't all fun and games, business boot camp was put to the test! They were instructed to evaluate the consumer market, pricing, supply and demand of an LED fishing light by surveying the environment. More to follow on this entrepreneurial business plan! Additionally, Matron, the caretaker of the girls at WISER and the chief's wife, taught the girls bargaining skills. 

Concurrently, a family member in the market asked us, "Why did you choose to come here and teach at WISER?" Our answer was clear: It was the heartfelt stories shared about life in the community and the impact of WISER to date.

During the evening session, successful alumnae stories from John (Kenyan board member) Muthee further solidified our "why." John shared, "Look how far we have come. Recent graduates are currently in med school, law school and studying to become nurses. What we are doing is working." These stories intensify the current students' hard work and dedication in making their dreams a reality. 

The other volunteers tease us for being millennials, but the truth is that the group's diversity in terms of age and geography is really what makes us gel as a volunteer team. 

Be WISER!!!

 

Sales & Marketing Teachers

Let the Lessons Begin!

 There are three simultaneous tracks being taught by the volunteer teachers this week:

• Communications 
• Entrepreneurship 
• Finance 

The girls rotated through our classes 30 at a time. When used together the girls can start businesses learn how to manage them and communicate in ways that help them succeed.

Tonight we conducted a brainstorming about problems in the community that they could construct businesses to solve. Some of the first ideas were around energy management, sanitation and clean water. 

The girls are attentive and eager to learn. They are smart and quick to laugh. Being with them gives us energy and hope for the future. 

Tomorrow we will go into Muhuru Bay so the girls can show us their community and the market.

At Home at WISER

It's so good to be back in Muhuru Bay at WISER!  

We began with a beautiful welcome ceremony. There are Forms 2-4 here at school - that's grades 10-12 to the Americans, and a total of 90 girls. While we moved our things in to the bunk house, young hopeful applicants interviewed for the Form 1 spots. 

The girls did a teambuilding exercise where they had to build a tower from dry spaghetti, tape, string and a marshmallow. Yes, they each got to eat a marshmallow afterwards (for all a first!). Holly also did some science experiments as well. 

The girls are warm, welcoming and so happy we are here. Tomorrow, classes begin!

Live. Learn. Be. WISER!

 

 

Kazuri Bead Factory

Lady Susan Wood founded this factory to give fair employment opportunities. Employees can get healthcare, childcare and good wages. 

This trip we met Elizabeth, one of the founding employees starting 1975. She still works here along side her daughters and granddaughter. 

  

 

Giraffe Center

African Fund for Endangered Wildlife was founded in 1979 by the late John Leslie-Melville, Kenyan born of British descent. An educational institution to rescue the endangered Rothschild giraffe. 

We got to feed and pose with these gorgeous, graceful, warm and friendly creatures. 

 

Arrived in Nairobi

 Half of our crew is here and we are waiting on the other half. Average travel time 24 hours. 

Left to right:

Michael Freidberg 

Jennifer MacDonald

Cindy Ellis

Holly Adams

Ash Patel

Kelsey Schmoe 

Maggie King 

We're BAAAACK!

The rumors are true! 

A whole crew of volunteers heading back to Muhuru Bay, Kenya to the Women's Institute for Secondary Education and Research - WISER.  As a result, I am reviving the blog and getting reading to send updates along my journey.

I would like to dedicate this trip to my daughter, who for her bat mitzvah, raised money for WISER. My son also raised money for WISER for his bar mitzvah almost three years ago demonstrating the importance gender advocates in boys.

Here is an excerpt from my daughter's bat mitzvah speech from October:

"It was a 95-degree day and I sent a Snapchat out to my friends to help me wash cars to raise money for my mitzvah project:  WISER – the Women’s Institute for Secondary Education and Research – a school for girls in Muhuru Bay, Kenya on Lake Victoria.

A few of us have celebrated our 13th birthdays already. Some are still 12. As I looked around at my friends washing cars, flagging down more customers and mostly spraying each other with hoses, I thought about what girls our age are doing in Muhuru Bay. How these girls aren't safe to play and have fun like us, they aren’t guaranteed the education that I take for granted, they don’t get three meals a day while on the other hand my friends and I ordered a pizza with our only concern being who gets what toppings.

The best bet for a girl my age in Muhuru Bay is an education. That day in front of my dad’s house, thanks to the generosity of many in this room and some innocent civilians whose cars we attacked, my friends and I raised more than $500. To make it even better, my dad’s company, Johnson & Johnson is going to match it to make it $1000. Not bad for 2.5 hours’ work. Compare that to a girl in Muhuru Bay.  She can gather firewood and make $3 to feed her family for a week.  The money we raised is enough to buy books for 50 girls for a year. Books lead to knowledge, knowledge is power, and power is what will bring about change. It will give these girls a chance. It will help them become what they dream of.  At the very least, it could save a girl my age from being married in exchange for two cows.

I picked this for my mitzvah project so my friends and I could send a message of hope to the girls our age in Kenya. We know you’re out there working hard and we are with you. I hope they can have as much fun when they are together at WISER as we did that day washing cars. This prayer goes out from the 13 year old girls in Yardley, Pennsylvania to the 13 year old girls in Muhuru Bay. We believe in you."

Postscript Note: the Dynamic Duo

Two unsung heroes of WISER are founder, Sherryl Broverman, and Carrie Arndt of J&J. Sherryl turned an area of study, a theory and an idea into a reality. She works tirelessly on behalf of these girls and has been named an honorary "daughter of the soil" by Muhuru Bay.  

Through her son, Mike, Carrie started out as an ambassdor to J&J for sanitary products and now as a board member and major fundraiser, she breathes life into WISER with all the love, sweat and tears of any mom. 

They bring us together, bring us along and organize us (as best they can). We love you and thank you on behalf of the girls and everyone you've allowed into this gift of WISER.

Pictured: Dr. Sherryl Broverman of Duke University, founder and currently chair of the board, Carrie Arndt of J&J, board member, Madeleine Fackler, board member.

Until Next Year...

As is the tradition, I am signing off the blog from the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi. It's a beautiful night and we are ready to head home. 

The WISER theme I chose when the girls greeted us was LOVE. Kenyan people are so affectionate and loving with one another and they extended that love to us. As we left today we waved "I love you and I'll miss you" while blowing kisses to the girls. 

I hope that even in a small way through this blog you got a sense of who they are and what they fight for. Their bravery knows no bounds. As Olivia (pictured here) reminded us yesterday, we are all G-d's children and we must take care of one another. 

Please join our cause. You are all Karibu (welcome)

www.wisergirls.org

Oh Pioneer

I don't know what it's like to be a WISER graduate.  No one does. The girls seemed happy but serious yesterday. The honor is a big responsibility and their work is just beginning, however, we will remain beside them and behind them every step of the way. 

"Oh pioneer

I sing your song

It's the hymn of those who've gone before and those who carry on

Pioneer

Your work is hard

But the future of us all rests on the shoulders of your heart

Where are we going

Oh I don't know

But still I've got to go

What will become of us

Oh I don't care

All I know is I'll go anywhere

Pioneer

Oh pioneer

So young and brave

Be careful of the careful souls who doubt you along the way

Pioneer

You orphaned child

Your mother is adventure and your father is the wild

Where are we going

Oh I don't know

But still I've got to go

What will become of us

Oh I don't care

All I know is I'll go anywhere

Pioneer

Let your heart not be troubled

I won't run when bullets chase me

I won't rest where arms embrace me

I will love when people hate me

I won't hush, no you can't make me

Send the dark but it won't break me

You can try but you can't change me

Take my life, they will replace me

I won't hush, no you can't make me

I won't hush, no we will sing

Where are we going

Oh I don't know

But still I've got to go

What will become of us

Oh I don't care

All I know is I'll go anywhere

Pioneer

Let your heart not be troubled"

The Band Perry

Gifts

Gifts come in many forms. You can be gifted with a talent, intelligence, musical ability or with something that merely fills you with joy when you are in possession of it. 

Being here with these brave young women is a gift. It fills me with joy, hope and peace to see their shining smiles. I will leave tomorrow, but I will take them with me in my heart and keep them safe until I return in January to receive

them again. 

Live. Learn. Be WISER

www.wisergirls.org

Graduation Day!

It's graduation day and the entire campus is full of excitement!  Crews of people worked all night long putting up chairs and tents and getting ready for the big day.  

The ceremony was supposed to begin at 10:00am, but in reality began at 1:00pm as often happens here in Kenya.  The faculty and graduates processed into the tented area, and we began a three hour celebration with pomp, circumstance, many speeches, and a blazing hot sun.

But to say it was worth it is an understatement. 

Graduation Rehearsal

Excitement mounts as the graduates return to rehearse, greet friends and get cards of congratulation.