Ready for the Next Chapter

Last year’s CGA 8^th Grade class officially graduated on January 31st.  The celebration began with various presentations by CGA students including a group traditional dance and recited poems by individuals and groups.   After the opening entertainment, 28 smiling faces danced [literally] onto the stage where they were greeted by their parents/guardians and other friends and family.  They received a Graduation Certificate and a gift of a new Bible.  As each one danced in their own unique style, CGA Head Teacher Mr. Gwalla shared about their personality, academic performance and their extra-curricular successes.  The CGA dining hall was adorned with balloons, ribbons and other colorful decorations.  

In some parts of the world, finishing 8^th grade may not seem like much of a milestone, but in an area of Kenya which has been struck by significant death, disease and poverty, it is a huge achievement to finish primary school, pass the National Exam and make the transition to secondary school.  Many of these 28 students have overcome great challenges and various obstacles along the way.  They each have reason to celebrate what God had done in their lives.  

After all of the students walked across the stage, Deputy Head Teacher Meshark Oluoch shared about the class’ performance as a whole.  Awards were given for those who performed well in the 5 different subjects, as well as the most improved, overall top performer and Christian Character.  Duke Omboga was the leader on the National exam with 386 marks, followed by Stephen, Mashel and Teddy. The top girl was Natalie June Olum with 340 marks.  The most coveted award at CGA is the Christian Character award.  The staff and students themselves voted for 1 boy and 1 girl who they feel have shown the best Christian Character throughout their time at CGA.  The winners this year were Teddy Kigunga and Lucy Adhiambo Ogutu.  We are proud of what God is doing in their lives and hope it will continue as they head off to high school.  

After the awards, two of the graduates gave speeches.  Perpetua Odoyo gave a stirring speech which encouraged her classmates to take what they learned in primary school with them when they join their new schools next week.  Teddy gave thanks to the students, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians who have helped the class through the years.  Along with the parents and guardians of our students, there were also many special guests in attendance including several pastors, secondary school principals, and Dr. Sawa, the local doctor who cares for all CGA students when they are sick.  After the many speeches, it was time to eat!!  Since it was already 3:30 pm, people didn’t hesitate to begin lunch, enjoying meat, fish, rice, chapatis and sodas. 

It was a special day for these 28 students and their families.  They will definitely never forget it. They are now very busy entering high school this week and opening the next chapter in their lives!  

Please join with us in praying for these students as they begin secondary school...which is a whole different environment; for most of them this includes leaving home and going off to boarding school.

Great thanks goes out to a dear friend of ours at LifeBridge Christian Church who noticed these red choir robes in the back of a closet and asked if we could use them for anything in Kenya.  We immediately thought of CGA 8th grade graduation.  The students (and teachers) were excited about their new graduation gowns!!  
THANK YOU LifeBridge!