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Fund-raising for the construction of the
school started in August 2006. The decision to begin the
first phase of construction was taken at the end of
September of the same year. Detailed planning began
immediately, a contractor was selected through local
tendering, and construction of the first buildings started
in November. By 5th February 2007, at the beginning of
Kenya’s academic year, the school was ready to take on its
first pupils.
During this very
short period the Community Development Group had arranged
for the construction of a block of 4 contiguous classrooms,
of which one would be used as a school office in the first
year, leaving 3 rooms for the 3 streams of 50 pupils each
into which Form One was to be divided. The classrooms are
separated by folding partitions, enabling the building also
to be used as an assembly hall. The Group also completed
building of a washroom block and a kitchen, as well as of a
perimeter fence to keep out animals.
In the same period, the Community went
ahead with selecting and hiring staff, particularly
teachers, and with enrolment of the first pupils. They also
bought desks and chairs and text books. The first term
began with 112 boys and girls and this rose to 142 in the
second term. Fees have been set at a level which covers
normal operating costs, but some children who are unable to
afford to pay these fees will be awarded bursaries. (see
details of the Bursary Fund here)
All of this was done at a cost of less
than
Euro 50,000 (about £33,500).
During the start-up period the school has
benefited from several visits by Mike Kironde, the PEAS
general manager in Uganda. Mike is sharing his considerable
experience in secondary school construction and in setting
up management systems. His visits and the supervision
provided by the District Education Officer of Kenya’s
Ministry of Education have been helpful in keeping costs
down and in putting in place sound arrangements for
management, including accounting systems.
This combination of enthusiastic and
dedicated community-led development, technical and
management skills, and donations from well-wishers, both
outside and inside Kenya, is achieving most encouraging
results.
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Progress Reports:
(click on links to view the reports)
- Aug 10,
Lots of Action
- Jun 10,
Changing Gear
- May 10,
Computer Funds update
- Apr 10,
Computer Fund
- Feb 10,
New Desks
- Dec 09,
Bursaries
- Nov 09,
School Reports
- Oct 09,
Letter from A MacMillan
- Apr 09,
Much to Report
- Nov 08,
New Building & VIP Visitor
- Oct
08, Two Years On
- Aug
08, End of Term Report
- May
08, Back to School
- Mar
08, Easter Report
- Feb
08, Situation in Kenya
- Jan
08, Calm after Elections
- Dec
07, New Head Teacher
- Nov
07, Bursaries Awarded
- Sep
07, Fundraising Pt 2
- Aug
07, Closing Ceremony
- July
07, Future Plans
- May
07, Library Building
- Apr
07, End of Term Report
- Mar
07, Harambee
- Feb
07, Start of Enrolment
- Jan
07, Roof Completed
- Dec
06, Mr Sung-soo Ha's visit
- Dec
06, First Classroom Block
- Nov
06, Building Foundations
- Oct
06, Visit Report
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