Kenya (MNN) ― Kenya's opposition is offering a truce in return for a power-sharing coalition. Raila Odinga's Party says they're willing to accept Mwai Kibaki's Presidency until a power-sharing agreement can be hammered out.
Meanwhile, civic groups are calling for a recount, and the European Parliament may freeze aid to the country until things calm down. Violent clashes between police and protestors continued throughout the week, bringing Kenya once again to a standstill.
Worldwide Christian School's Scott VanderKooy says the unrest has heightened concerns over three school projects in Kenya. Of the unrest, he says, "It's had an impact on the kids' attendance, but the schools are remaining open. Political chaos in the developing world is really an opportunity for Christ-centered schools to be centers of stability and love. So we really want the Christian community to pray for the teachers in Kenya, because they have a special role right now."
The programs he says they're watching during the instability are The SUD Academy, Churo Christian School and Life Frontier School. Teachers are reporting that the children are much more fearful than they ordinarily would be, although security at the projects has directly become a problem.
The SUD Academy in Nairobi began in 2002 as a response to the needs of Sudanese refugees in Kenya. Attendance continues to rise as more refugees find out about the school. Recently, the SUD Academy was ranked one of the top schools in the district according to students' exam results. The school also provides extra-curricular activities for its students: a debate team and a soccer team.
Churo Christian Secondary School was born out of the urgent need to provide higher education for girls. The school can accommodate about 160 students, and is located south of the center of Churo on land donated by the village chief. The school caters mostly to the Pokot people, a tribe in the area who have long been neglected by the government.
Life Frontier school was started in January, 1998 through the efforts of Life Ministry whose mission is to reach the nine Muslim, nomadic tribes living there, with the Gospel. The school is reportedly the best in the region, however, there are pressing needs including the need for a library, new curriculum, education materials as well as food and transportation. It is hoped that the program will help give credibility to the school and to the teachings of the Gospel in the community.
VanderKooy says their team needs prayer and boldness. "The schools are looked to as places of security, safe places. One of the great things about the love of God is that it's true today, and it's going to be true tomorrow. When your whole world is literally shaking around you, it's nice for these kids to be able to go to a place that is stable."
