A Visit to the Nambale Magnet School - By Jun Goto

May 2025 - My name is Jun, and I’m John and Mihau Gill's nephew from Japan. I had the opportunity to visit Nambale Magnet School (NMS) from March 17th to 19th during my trip to Kenya. My visit to NMS broadened my perspective and helped me understand how essential education and sponsor support are for the students.
 
On the first day I took a brief solo tour around the campus. At first, the students seemed a bit unsure of me. Some looked suspicious, and a few even ran away when I approached—perhaps I was a rare sight for them! But I kept trying to connect. I played soccer with them, showed them pictures taken in Japan, and talked about some Japanese culture. Little by little, they began to warm up, and some started engaging with me more comfortably by the end of the day!
 
The second day gave me a deeper look into life at NMS. I toured the campus more thoroughly and visited the sewing house and infirmary. Seeing how school uniforms and medical supplies are provided free of charge helped me understand the sponsors' critical role in supporting the school’s mission. I then visited the homes of two sponsored children. Seeing their daily lives firsthand was eye-opening. One thing that struck me was how different something as simple as fetching water is from life in Japan.

While we just turn on a tap, people in Nambale must lift heavy water from wells, many times a day. I tried it myself—it was much heavier than I expected! I couldn’t help but think how challenging it must be, especially for women and elderly people. On the way, I also saw very young kids—some as young as two to five years old—helping out with chores and working in the fields. It gave me perspective on the challenges they face in their daily lives in Nambale and the meaningful support NMS provides.
 
On my final day, I had a chance to teach some basic Japanese language and culture to a group of students at NMS. I introduced words like “こんにちは” (Hello), “ありがとう” (Thank you), and “愛してる” (I love you). I also talked about Japanese food like sushi and raw egg on rice. The students looked shocked when I told them we Japanese eat raw fish and eggs! During the lecture, I was amazed by how quickly they picked things up and how eagerly they asked me questions—some of their questions even took me a few seconds to answer!
 

Before leaving, I took another campus tour—this time guided by J.J., the principal of NMS. He showed me areas like the school farm, which has chickens, pigs, and cows, and plays a vital role in providing food for the students. After the tour, as a token of appreciation for the warm welcome I received, I gave some Japanese souvenirs—Furoshiki (traditional Japanese wrapping cloths), Tenugui (Japanese hand towels), and Origami (Japanese art of paper folding)—to J.J., Evalyn, and the students. By then, most of the students had become familiar with me. They called out my name when they saw me, which was a complete change from how they reacted on the first day of my visit.
 
My visit to Nambale Magnet School was a truly enriching experience to me! It gave me insight into the lives of the students, the incredible work the school is doing, and the importance of sponsors. I left with a deeper sense of gratitude and many lasting memories. If I ever have the chance, I would love to visit again!

 

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