Just days before the students return to the classroom, Lower School teachers were treated to a special presentation by Dr. Karambu Ringera, the founder of International Peace Initiatives, the NGO that Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder partners with in Kenya. She also shared stories about her experiences in Kenya, as well as her current and future plans and goals for improving education in Kenya. Dr. Ringera’s organization gives economically-disadvantages and AIDS orphans a place to stay and live close to their extended families while also providing a safe and healthy environment. Several Upper School students from ESD, as well as Allison Hogan, have had the privilege to help improve the buildings and school on the property, and meet.

In addition to delivering the morning’s homily, Dr. Ringera met with Eleanor Arnold, ESD’s Director of Global Education; Father Towers, the new Lower School Chaplain; and Allison Hogan, Primer teacher and course instructor for Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, to plan for an Internal Peace Day program in September.

“Meeting Dr. Karambu was thrilling and a great way for faculty to start the school year,” Eleanor Arnold said. “Meeting her reinforces what I already knew about Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder; the NGOs we work with are top-notch and are doing very productive, even essential, work in their communities. It’s a privilege to be associated with them. Our goal is to get Dr. Karambu back soon so she can inspire our students, hopefully in all three divisions.”