Rift Valley Academy

Where do the children of missionaries in remote parts of Africa go to school? Many are homeschoolled by parents or other teachers close to where they live. However, this gets increasingly more difficult as children get older. Many go to boarding school and Rift Valley Academy is such a school in central Kenya overlooking the great Rift Valley. 


The basketball court overlooking the Rift Valley and volcanic Mt Longonot

There are around 500 students, from thirty different home countries and most of their parents are serving as missionaries all over Africa. The school is more than 100 years old and since being in Kenya I have met many people who once went to school at RVA, many of whom have returned to Africa as adults.



 
Over the Korr school break I spent a few days at RVA with my housemate Christina, visiting a couple she met back in USA. Dennis and Debbie Doughty teach a some classes (Dennis, personal finance and Debbie, Spanish). However, their main role is as dorm parents. Their apartment joins on to one of the girls' corridors and they look after 17 of the oldest girls.

They 'Uncle Dennis and Aunt Debbie' check the girls are well and in classes; check they are working well in lessons and offer help with homework; treat them for their birthdays; hold dorm meetings and devotions; and organise dorm socials. When I was there there girls would pop in to get food from the fridge or ask for advice, get test scores, watch movies. Since the they are away from their families for months at a time dorm parents like Dennis and Debbie play a vital role in the lives of the young people.
 

The 'chai tree' where students leave their mugs for morning tea!


RVA runs as an American school, is very well equipped and students get a top academic education.They have a fill range of extra-curricular activities and many students get places in top US universities. The school also serves the spiritual needs of students, bringing them up to love Jesus and pursue God's purpose for their lives.
 

 

I don't have much experience of boarding schools and even less of American ones! Rift Valley Academy is worlds apart from Tirrim Secondary School in Korr and Lincoln Christ's Hospital School. Yet RVA and TSS have similar aims...both seek, within their unique contexts, to educate students academically and spiritually for the glory of God!