On Friday 13th October, Birkenhead School’s Sixth Form was delighted to welcome Paul Kenny and Sister Martha from the charity Change a Child’s Life to give us an insight into the remarkable work they carry out for the children living in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. This gave students the opportunity to consider working with this incredible charity during a potential gap year.
Paul Kenny and Sister Martha alongside Headmaster, Paul Vicars, and Sixth Form students
Throughout the talk, Mr Kenny spoke of how 100% of the subsidies that the charity receives goes towards sponsoring a child in the slums. So far, they have sponsored 58 children, with many going on to the top university in Kenya to study accountancy, law and nursing. He continued describing how sponsorship includes taking the children out of the slums and providing them with healthcare and education.
Sister Martha then gave her first-hand experience of how high crime rates are common amongst young children in the slums. She provided visual aids of children making their own illegal alcohol to sell, to try and bring in an extra source of income for their family. She recounted a story of a young girl, who was just 11 years of age, suffering from abuse. However, Change a Child’s Life sponsor children liked this and helped the young girl to turn her life around by providing the necessary care.
Sister Martha delivering her insightful talk to students
Having the opportunity to listen to the inspirational changes that these people have made to so many lives was particularly engaging and I know that many of our students in the Sixth Form who are considering a gap year were especially appreciative. The Nicholls Lecture Series is especially beneficial in providing students with various contacts to further plans after school life and is just one of the many Beyond the Curriculum opportunities that the School can offer its students.
Written by Charlotte Cullen – Head of School