Alliance High on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi is one of the East African nation's leading public schools
How a brief visit by McKinnon inspired a school
15 February 2007
Kenyan school seeks deep collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat
Christopher Khaemba marvels at what a brief visit by the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General can do for a school -- the school in contention being Alliance High, which is on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
“It was an enlightened talk to the school on young people as pillars of democracy and development and as cogs in promoting respect and understanding,” said Mr Khaemba, Alliance’s principal.
“He provided guidance on the resources and dangers of the internet. Not to mention his interview on national television broadcast from the school which guaranteed that 3 million viewers would be tuned to the school for 45 minutes,” Mr Khaemba told Commonwealth News Information and Service after the January 2007 tour by Secretary-General Don McKinnon.
“The icing on the cake? A lively debate with the students over diverse concerns of the youth.”
Mr McKinnon donated £1,000 worth of Commonwealth Secretariat-published books to Alliance High. Now, Mr Khaemba has asked the Commonwealth to consider making similar handouts to Loreto Girls Limuru and Alliance Girls High School, both of whom sent representatives to attend Mr McKinnon’s talk.
Alliance is one of Kenya’s leading public schools. Its alumni feature prominently in the country’s leadership -- both in government and business.
The school is looking to build on its relation with the Commonwealth and is in preliminary discussions with the Secretariat’s Communications and Public Affairs Division on how to inspire young writers. It is envisaged that through initiatives such as the Commonwealth Media Development Fund, it may be possible to provide them laptops to improve their craft.
The students also sought the Secretariat’s support to attend events such as the Commonwealth Youth Forum that will be held in the run-up to this November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda.
“That would help showcase the talent and ability of our students,” said Mr Khaemba.
That done, he turned to Mr McKinnon and wondered whether the Secretariat could do anything to spruce up the school’s library.
“A donation of £30,000 will help us introduce a new structure. Maybe the Secretary-General can dig deep into the pockets of some of his friends. Maybe there is a way.”
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