Meetings took place with the headmasters as to what else would aid them. Uniform for the children, particularly at the Junior School was urgently requested. Due to the kindness of schools in England we will be able to fulfil this requirement as we have received numerous donations of surplus school uniform. A few samples of the uniforms were taken to the Junior School on this visit. We hope to deliver the remainder of the uniform in our next container. Pencils, pens and paper were also supplied to the children for them to reply to letters sent to them from a school here in England. We hope for the correspondence between the children to continue.

On a previous visit the Secondary School received uniform and classroom furniture, but also requested a printer. The printer was brought for the School; the Headmaster Cylus was very pleased. This means that the children can now have exam papers printed off instead of having to read them from the blackboard. This makes life a lot easier for both teachers and pupils. Extra school skirts were also taken for some of the girls who were unable to have skirts from the previous donation due to fit.

A container with more classroom furniture has now arrived in Nairobi and awaits unloading

We will update this post shortly with further details and photographs from the schools as well as a summary of where and how the furniture will be used. Many thanks, or course, to all involved.

Kenyan pupils are very proud of their school and always want to represent it because not only do they spend most of their time in school due to their literal 24/7 learning routine, but school becomes a foundation where they can escape the trouble that comes with the outside world they live in. 

 Team KAP are wondering if you are able to donate any old and dated school uniforms, perhaps you have had a change of uniform or maybe your lost property is overflowing with goods that have been there for a bit too long.  Either way, we would really like to hear from you so that these other pupils get the chance to feel like part of their school.  Of course, with our website updates and the ability to receive our newsletter, you will get to see exactly where those uniforms have gone and who are in them!

KAP are always on the lookout for suitable donations so perhaps you may have some other goods that you feel may be of suit, either way, please don’t hesitate to contact Polly on bev@kenyaaidprogramme.org.uk or 01892 616729

Welcome to Spring 2011! Please take a look at our Vol 2 Iss 2 spring Newsletter.

Two Team KAP members went out to Kenya last month and the newsletter comes baring all the latest reports so please read and enjoy!

Our aim was to go and meet the two containers full of chairs, desks and stools, organise and distribute the goods accordingly.  The trip was jam packed with visiting the two Fort Smith schools and other community projects widely spread around Nairobi. 

It was great to see not only how well the new goods will be put to use, but also, how previous donations like mattresses and cookery equipment were being used to their full potential. 

Take a look at our newsletter to see pictures and read comments from our cherished friends over in Kenya.  Please continue with the support and please remember every little counts, so keep the donations coming!

We were also able to spend some time at each of the schools meeting with the Headmasters and all the pupils.  It was an absolute pleasure to not only be able to see how useful the new furnishings are going to become, but how previous donations are being used to their full potential.

The containers arrived with a total of 751 plastic chairs, 85 children’s plastic chairs, 90 school tables (4 large) and 101 padded chairs – a great feat for the community projects and Fort Smith schools. 

All of the goods were then unloaded into a warehouse at the Siginon Freight depot in Nairobi and organised according to meet the needs of the three projects.  The goods were then distributed into 3 separate lorries organised by the principals of the projects and taken to their rightful new homes.

Headmaster Cylas would like to say, “thanks a lot you KAP and everyone for the kind donation that you brought us we highly appreciate your continued support”. 

Edwin from the Kibugat ICT community project says “we are deeply heartened from this gesture and say a big thank you to your generous contribution.”

We at Kenya Aid Programme are looking up to the future and from looking at this newsletter we hope that you will be as excited as we are.  Some examples that are included are; building a new bridge to replace the existing one that was swept away after the flash flooding in 2010; the start of new agricultural lessons for community schools and more shipping of school equipment including desks, chairs and shelving units to give to schools.  Not only this; more projects are to be assessed by team KAP whilst in Kenya early 2011 whilst overseeing the distribution of 2 containers leaving Sheffield. 

Please take a look at this little paper version of our Kenya and admire the changes you have enabled us to achieve.  Long may it continue!

Thank you all for your support, generosity and kindness. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Kenya Aid Programme,

The Newsletter will give you a quick briefing of everything that we (and Kenya herself) have been doing in the last month.  This will include our latest projects and support actions from our base camp here and over in Kenya.  We will bring all the necessary news to you, keeping you informed and updated.  Check out the right hand side of this page and click on the “subscribe to our newsletter” button, scribble down your email address and let the good times roll!

Since the school was founded after the election violence in September 2008 it has been faced with numerous hardships and challenges, all of which have meant an fully-fuctioning and established school is considered more than a human right. It’s not.  Now, positive changes are being made, and it is the start of a secure future for St Elizabeth. 

The installation has meant the pupils have the resources to study during the day and night, the elder teenagers who have to work during the day now have a right to an education.  A great transformation for the Eldoret community!   Mr Paul N’gethe, the Director  of the school has said “we are very grateful indeed. God Bless you”.   Please admire the changes you have helped to enforce. 

We would like to thank all those people who have made this possible.

Originally established as a makeshift school in the Eldoret showground IDP camp in 2008, St. Elizabeth has continued as a permanent facility. The remaining transition camp continues to be ‘home’ to the majority of students at the school following the post-election troubles.

The installation and wiring of electricity by The Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited (KPLC) will improve the learning environment for existing students, as well as opening up a number of possibilities for the future, such as computer learning.

Photo credit: Yorkshire Post Newspapers

Up to 400 tonnes of redundant office furniture had been destined for a landfill site before L&TA were called into the Department of Education offices in Sheffield. About a third of this has been donated to Kenya Aid Programme, while the rest will go to help small local businesses and start-ups.

The story has been covered by the Yorkshire Post and the Sheffield Telegraph. Terry Askew, Managing Director of L&TA, notes, “When I heard how much [furniture] there was I got in contact with the Kenya Aid Programme, which will send a lot of it to Africa.” 

This furniture will make a big difference to the educational and community projects that Kenya Aid Programme works with throughout Nairobi and the Rift Valley Province. Following our shipment of furniture in May 2010, we look forward to distributing this latest donation to projects where even the most basic of supplies are lacking.