Returning to Spurgeons

 I’ve visited Spurgeons Academy many times now. First time was back in 2010, and since then I’ve been there sometimes as a team leader, sometimes to set up team visits, and sometimes in my role as CRED Partner Liaison manager. Therefore, on some occasions the main focus is logistics planning, on other occasions I’m facilitating team visits, and at other times the focus is more to do with strategic planning, training, and capacity building.

But whatever the reason for the visit, or the focus of my time there, always I come away feeling like I’ve been blessed far more than I’ve been a blessing. Today was no different.

Spurgeons Academy is an independent primary school in the Kibera area of Nairobi. The school was set up to provide access to education for students who are unable to afford to pay for even the educational materials required to go to school. Approximately 80% of the pupils are orphans or from single parent households, and most can’t even afford their school uniform, let alone the pens, pencils, notebooks, exam fees etc.

No child is turned away from being a pupil at the school, and whilst approximately 45% of the children are sponsored, the rest of the income for the school comes through donors, gifts in kind, and all with the backdrop of a whole lot of prayer.

Being in the school today and going round all the classrooms and meeting the children was such a joy. The smiles and enthusiasm for life that emanates from the pupils is infectious, and the day instantly feels sunnier. The teachers are so positive. Teaching for them is a vocation, not a job. The best interests of the children are at the heart of all that they do, and the children know it and thrive on it.

Spurgeons is a safe space for the children. Outside the perimeter wall is a community of great poverty, with majority of the homes living off illegal hook-ups to access electricity, no sanitation, no running water, and in general approx. 6 – 8 people living in a single room home that is about 3m x 3m. So, moving around Kibera can be fraught with dangers, especially after dark, and especially for the girls. Spurgeons is their safe space.

Spurgeons is also their food source. Many of the children don’t have any food at home, and it is only at school that they get their nutritious lunch, and their porridge for breakfast. It is at Spurgeons that the children have access to adults who listen, who will help with finding medical care if they need it, who will not judge if the child comes to school tired and scared due to whatever might be happening at home, who will help with sorting out the confusions of life. Spurgeons is so much more than a place to learn.

My visit to Spurgeons today was a beautiful reminder of all that this place means to the children, and to the staff, and to the community that underpins the school. I thank God that I am able to be with the school this week, and I look forward to the coming days spending time with all those who make up this inspirational, faith-filled, selfless place that demonstrates the power of smiles, and is perfect for getting priorities into perspective.