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A New School Building for Gaceuni,
the first ever stone building in the area
| our first classroom completed |
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| more to follow - see our picture gallery |
| First stone building in this area |
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At the end of 2006 we were approached by an Ireland based company who were
prepared, over the next few years, to raise funds to build a new school, but they wished for some of their staff to have
the opportunity to travel to Kenya to experience the way of life first hand, and perhaps help in the construction of the buildings.
see Trips. The school was commenced in January 2007. Again locals were employed to build the
school, with both men and women taking part. During the trip in March 2007, three men in our party took the horrenduous
journey to Gaceuni (2-3hours over treacherous terrain) and offered their help to build. What they discovered was unbelievable.
It was 40 degrees and the women were doing a 10km round trip to fetch sufficient water to mix the cement. Others were
carrying heavy 6 foot beams for miles, to be used for roofing - hence progress was really slow. It was apparent
that water in the area, or lack of it, was the main problem. It was decided that future monies would go to providing
water, and the school work was suspended after the completion of the first classroom. It recommenced after we provided
a borehole and water pump close to the school. We now have the fourth classroom completed and the fifth ready
to start.
SCHOOL UPDATE SEPT 2008
Four classrooms are now completely finished,
with the fifth one commenced. Eddie McIntyre from Derry/Londonderry spent a few days in Sept 2008 helping to lay
the floor . It was hard, tiring, thirsty work, but his help was very much appreciated. We have recently appointed
a Manager for Sonshine club, in Kenya, and hopefully with Jerusha's enthusiasm the fifth classroom will be completed
soon and finished in record time. During our stay in this area we usually sleep in the classrooms, and it is amazing
to see the children arrive for school shortly after 6.30 am.
MARCH 2010
UPDATE
With the school now completed, it's great to see the children enjoying the school, as
well as getting great use of the borehole. We found the water very salty, and it doesn't make the best cup of tea,
but it's great for cooking, washing and feeding the animals.
We recently tried to visit the school, but because
of the heavy rains, the rivers were in flood and uncrossable. But we hope to visit the children on our next visit, to
see their progress.
| The New Secondary school |
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| Year 8 |
| Sleeping quarters |
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| Many of the pupils are prepared to work into the evening and then stay the night |
2011-10-31
Latest reports from the Gatagani show the school thriving and continually growing.
They have now started a YEAR 8 and hope to grow the secondary school, year by year.
Our Latest Project
In Middle of May 2009, we
sent a 40 ft container containing the two landrovers - one having been converted to a mobile clinic and the other to a mobile
workshop, as well as a multitude of power tools and other equipment to Kenya. The response to our appeal was so
great that we had to acquire a second 20 ft container, and this was also filled with lots of school equipment,
sports equipment, clothes, tools and all sorts of things. The larger container had already been fitted inside and will
be converted into a workshop when it arrives at its destination.
May 2010, it's disappointing to report that
these two containers are still being held in Nairobi customs awaiting further paperwork, and the cost is rising daily.
| Two landrover - |
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| a mobile clinic and a mobile workshop |
| Mobile clinic |
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| Will travel to remote areas, bring much need medical help |
| Heather cleaning out the 40 ft container |
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| This will be converted into a workshop on arrival |
| looking good |
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| This will be a travelling workshop |
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