We are happy to share the 3rd Annual Writing Competition results from Keneni Stars Academy primary school in Bomet County, Kenya! Here are just a few essays from our very proud students.

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*If you’re interested in starting a pen pal and/or sponsoring a student’s education, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at saragoff@saragoff.com.

October 18, 2024

Dear Writers of Keneni Stars Academy,

Congratulations on completing Keneni Stars 3rd Annual Writing Competition hosted by Lift the Lid!  You submitted passionate, detailed essays, sharing your culture, your values, your school, and what makes YOU unique.  Your essays will expand the minds and positively impact all who read them.  THANK YOU for taking the time to reflect on and carefully choose the words to describe yourself, your community service and daily life at Keneni Stars, and your cultural background.  THANK YOU for embracing this opportunity to work hard and grow wiser.  I look forward to sharing this part of you with our donors.  They will find inspiration in each of your essays!

Here are some writing tips to keep in mind for your future writing endeavors.  The best way to critique your own writing is to ask yourself the following four questions after you’ve written your first draft:

1. Have I become a better writer? Have I learned something more or thought more deeply about myself and life?

–Just like practicing an instrument, whenever you write, you strengthen your writing skills. If you’ve learned something from your writing, those who read your work will likely learn something, too.

2. Have I pushed myself as a writer to be clear, using periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points?  Have I ended every thought with a PUNCTUATION and started the next sentence with a CAPITAL LETTER?

–You all showed strong grammatical skills.  Well done!!  If you read your work a second or third time, you will catch the small mistakes.  That is how you can take your writing to the next level!

3. Have I created mental pictures with my words by using descriptive words?

–Here are a few places to think about using descriptive words in your essays:  What do you look like? Short…tall…narrow face…round face…the color of your uniform…what kind of shoes… What do you see on the walls of your classrooms?  What colors do you see at cultural ceremonies?  What does the music sound like?  What do you use to wash dishes or sweep the floor?  How would you describe the inside of your house?  *There are always ways to think more deeply about and look more closely at your subject to “paint pictures” with descriptive words.

4. Finally, have I expanded the hearts and minds of others by sharing my story and who I am?

–The answer is YES!! Whenever you share your thoughts, culture, life experience, or knowledge, you expand the hearts and minds of the people who read your work.

Writing is exciting because you can always strive to say more and say it better.  It is an ongoing opportunity to learn, to reflect, and to share who you are — and to help others learn, reflect, and share, too.  This is why writing is such a powerful tool!

Below are my favorite sentences from your essays:

“It was on the 5th of July when we started our trip to the forest on the tree planting day. We started around 10:00 in the morning. I was as happy as a lark.”  ~Brian Kipkirui, Gr.6

“I come from Kalenjin community. In our culture, people eat indigenous food. The indigenous food helps them to be strong and live long. They include black night shade spider plant, pigweed, and sorghum.”  ~Harriet Chepngetich, Gr.6

“We were all very alert. ‘Ehh, ehh, eh,’ said our grandmother and she began to narrate a story about how one could prepare a delicious meal for a ceremony which makes everyone happy.”  ~Marion Chepkoech, Gr.6

“The teacher made an announcement, ‘We will be cleaning the market.’ We also advised the people on the importance of good hygiene in the environment. We used leaves, sticks, and some markers to draw a sign. We were putting the sign in place when a blazing motor bike came by at a very high speed. The motorist did not see the sign. He fell as one of the tires went over the banana peel [a women had tossed on the ground.]”  ~Blessing Chepkoech, Gr.5

“I follow the culture called Lou. We like building music instruments like the kayamba, oruto, obu, and nyatiti. We also wear the costumes when singing. Our people are very generous and whenever you visit them, they will serve you with fish.”  ~Meshack Omondi Owur, Gr.5

“Next morning during the free lesson, we were led by our teacher to clean the market. We wore gloves, gumboots, aprons, and masks. We had to clean the items which we used during the cleaning. We made our environment clean.”  ~Valarine Cherotich, Gr.4

“The police officers led us to the forest. We planted the trees and recited a poem about a bush. After that we washed our hands. We interacted with pupils from other schools. Everyone was so happy that we planted trees!”  ~Boaz Kiplangat, Gr.4

“The time I was born I was too small. I stayed in the nursery for two months. I want to thank God for taking care of me in the nursery. I want to thank the doctors, nurses, and my parents, too.”  ~Jayden Kipkirui, Gr.3

“I live with my mother and father, aunt and two brothers, one called Mark and the other Bill. Mark is two years old, and Bill is four months. Bill doesn’t talk a lot. Mark already talks and likes playing with his rescue truck. Mark likes disturbing us. I love my family, our animals, and I love myself.”  ~Abigael Kiprotich, Gr.3

“I love my grandparents. I normally visit them in the month of December together with my parents. My favorite colour is maroon and red. My three friends are scouts. They raise the national flag and sing the national anthem.”  ~Debra Cherono, Gr.3

“My school is called Keneni Stars Academy. We have clean water and healthy food. There is a clean kitchen, a big library, and a new building. I love my school.”  ~Rayan Kibet, Gr.2

“My school headteacher is Mr. Rotich. There are eight teachers, one cook, and one gateman. There is a big field and playing items. May God bless our school.”  ~Joan Cheruto, Gr.2

“I like going to church and playing football. I am a boy. I come from Momburo. I love myself!”  ~Trevor Kiprotich, Gr.1

“I like reading the Bible and going to church. I am a girl. I come from Tiroto. I love myself!”  ~Joy Chelangat, Gr.1

I enjoyed ALL your essays and am so impressed by your willingness to help in the environment and in your community.  I’m equally impressed by your positive outlook on life and the gratitude you show for your school, family, and friends.  Please know that your words carry your dreams and ambitions and show your determination.

Aeschylus said, “From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.” Thank you!!!

Before I announce the winners of our Keneni Stars Academy’s 3rd Annual Writing Competition, please remember that I’ve entered and haven’t won many competitions.  I keep writing and sharing my work, and I encourage everyone to do the same!  Just the fact that you entered the competition shows that you have the AMBITION, the COURAGE, and the TALENT to fulfill YOUR DREAMS.

At last, here are the First Place, Second Place winners I’ve chosen for our 3rd Keneni Stars Academy Competition.  This is a fun competition that offers the opportunity for new winners every year.  Keep writing!!

First Place Winner: $50 each for personal education or to benefit the class:

*Brian Kipkirui, Gr.6

*Blessing Chepkoech, Gr.5

*Valarine Cherotich, Gr.4

*Jayden Kipkirui, Gr.3

*Joan Cheruto, Gr.2

*Trevor Kiprotich, Gr.1

Second Place Winner: $25 each for personal education or to benefit the class:

*Harriet Chepngetich, Gr.6

*Marion Chepkoech, Gr.6

*Meshack Omondi Owur, Gr.5

*Boaz Kiplangat, Gr.4

*Abigael Kiprotich, Gr.3

*Debra Cherono, Gr.3

*Rayan Kibet, Gr.2

*Joy Chelangat, Gr.1

Final thoughts…

Congratulations to EVERYONE for having the courage and dedication to enter the Competition!! From my heart, I can say that you’re all winners, and I look forward to reading more of your writing. Feel free to send your work anytime!

God bless,

Sara Goff

Lift the Lid