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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 |
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 second classroom completed
and the third ready to start.
SCHOOL UPDATE SEPT 2008
Three classrooms are now completely finished, with the fourth one almost. Eddie McIntyre
from Derry/Londonderry spent a few days 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 started soon and finished in record time. During our stay we slept in a
classroom, and it was amazing to see the children arrive for school shortly after 6.30 am. Lessons didn't commence until
about 8.30 am. In this school there is only two paid staff, the remainder teachers give of their time voluntary.
We would like sponsors the these teachers as they are doing a fantastic job.
How can
you make a difference
For further details
contact
Water Projects
Many Kenyans walk miles to the river for water every day. The
daily meeting point for many women where they wash their clothes, bathe and feed their animals. This same river water
is then carried home for cooking and drinking, hence there is much disease and illness.
HOW CAN WE MAKE
A DIFFERENCE?
£1000 in most areas will provide
a hand dug well for a village, a machine drilled 'borehole' may cost £8000. To date the SONshine Club Kenya Project has raised £15,000 towards Water Projects. This alone will help change
their life style and clean, fresh water will ultimately make a difference to their health.
A NEW WATER PROJECT
We have ordered 100 'LifeStraw® family' water purifiers - point-of-use
water filters -which hopefully will give 100 families the opportunity of filtering river water, which will remove many of
the bacteria, parasites, viruses subsequently reducing many of the water borne diseases.
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