Harold Ayodo
Tevin Yerry, a student at Brookhouse International School, is the winner of the 2010 Round Square Contribution Award.
Yerry, 14, was presented with the Guinness World Records 2010 edition and a Sh10,000 books gift voucher by Gillian Ajayi, the Regional Manager of Murdoch University and Manu Chandaria, an Industrialist, during the Brookhouse prize-giving day.
The award is sponsored by Murdoch University and Australian Education Consultants.
"Round Square is a worldwide association of more than 60 schools located in Africa, Australia, Europe, India, the Middle East, North America, South America and the United Kingdom. Brookhouse International School and Starehe Boys’ Centre are the only schools in Kenya who are members of the Round Square," said Mr Willie Nganga, the Round Square Representative, says.
"Members of the Round Square share educational philosophy based on the teachings of Kurt Hahn which supports the growth of the "whole person" through academic, physical, cultural and spiritual experiences. The association is founded on six pillars around which member schools operate including international, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service."
On receiving the award, Yerry who is in year nine (Form Two) said: "I am proud to receive this prize and I encourage other students to take part in the activities of the Round Square."
Among the activities that enabled him to win the award were visits to schools in Kibera to donate books, clothes and foodstuffs and repairing and cleaning classrooms during school holidays. "These activities gave us opportunities to play and interact with children living in the slums," he says.
Brookhouse students also raised thousands of shillings for the fencing of the Aberdare Forest and took part in the Rhino Charge events, which are held to raise funds for the maintenance of the forest.
"Round Square conferences are held in junior, regional and international levels. During these conventions, delegates around the world meet to discuss the future of the association.
In April I visited Johannesburg for the Junior Conference. This was attended by member schools from Kenya, Namibia, Botswana and the hosting country South Africa," he said.
The next International Round Square Conference at Brookhouse in March 2012 and is expected to bring over 500 students from 50 schools around the world.
Apart from taking part in the Round Square activities, Yerry plays golf and was placed third overall during the 2007 Mombasa Junior Golf Open.
He has also travelled to Denmark to compete in the World Cup Junior Football tournament.
