I have just spent three immensely positive days in Bondo District, making sure that all arrangements are in place for the start-up of activities at Got Matar. I wanted to make sure that the 10 acres of land on which the school is to be built really are available and not likely to be claimed by anyone. We needed to agree on the construction plans and how the building programme would be phased. Above all, it was important to arrive at a consensus on who would do what. The visit also provided an opportunity to insist on absolute transparency in the handling of funds. Everyone agreed that each month a summary of the amount of money received and how funds have been spent would be pinned up on a notice board on the school site for all to see.

The community is determined to get the first phase of building completed by January, when the next school year begins, so that the first batch of pupils can start studying there. Between now and then, they aim to build a block with 3 classrooms, each with a capacity for about 50 students with individual desks. Folding partitions will be used to separate classrooms, so that, when needed, the building can also serve as an assembly hall. They have already built the foundations for a small school office and store-room which will be completed.

Finally they intend to construct latrines and wash-stands, and to complete a perimeter fence to keep the sheep and goats out. Gutters will be put on all roofs, and tanks built to conserve as much water as possible for drinking, washing and irrigation. Part of the office roof will be made of sheets of photo-electric cells to test out the feasibility of eventually meeting the whole of the school’s electricity needs from solar power, possibly later supplemented by biogas.

John Rendel, the 25-year old founder of the UK-based NGO PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools), also came to Got Matar with two colleagues from neighbouring Uganda. PEAS has already built one secondary school in a poor area of Kampala, and should have completed 5 schools in Uganda within the next 5 years (www.peas.org.uk). We came a long way towards agreeing on arrangements for a partnership with PEAS. Under this, apart from managing donated funds and transferring them to Kenya, PEAS would share their experience in school building with Got Matar and provide independent reports on progress which will be posted on the website.

Song and Dance at Got Matar Primary School

The top form at Pap Lela  Primary School, preparing for exams in October

Welcome!Visitors from outside Kenya who are aware of the devastating impact of AIDS, malaria and hunger tend to expect to be confronted with gloom and depression when they visit rural communities such as Got Matar. They will be amazed to find exactly the opposite. They will be surrounded by masses of joyful children and greeted with song and dance. When they meet their parents, guardians and teachers, they will witness a determination to ensure a better future for the next generation.

Adversity seems to bring out the best in people. This bodes well for Got Matar Secondary School.

Andrew
MacMillan

1st October 2006