Traditional African ceremony opens Africa school (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Traditional African ceremony opens Africa school

9:27am Thursday 18th May 2006

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THE Kenyan flag flew over Sherston School as Masai warrior Erick Kasana performed an official opening ceremony in his traditional costume.

It was the third visit for the community development co-ordinator whose friendship with the school was formed five years ago when a parent visited his home country.

He told the packed hall: "To be honest this is the first school I have opened in my life."

The Masai are currently struggling to survive in a six-year drought covering much of Africa.

Erick explained: "Back at home some of our students are not in school because their parents have moved far away with them and their animals. Some of them are out of school because their parents have lost everything and some are in school and far from their parents."

But he paid tribute to the parents and friends in Sherston who had formed links with the elementary school he had helped to build in his community.

The money they had sent over had been well used and was educating poor children, he said. "That is happening because of your contribution and I am so grateful."

"I pray that our relationship continues as we grow old and I would like to bring more Ericks to visit this country."

Chairman of the Governors Sheila Cutcher thanked all the community for its support in the long battle to get a modern school for Sherston.

She said: "Those of us who are parents know it is a wonderful place to bring up children - a small supportive community."

The initial project to modernise the old building in the High Street started a decade ago and had been on the verge of going ahead when the offer of a building a new school on the edge of the village was made.

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