The origins of Project Rael date back to 2013, when Honza and Kennedy realised that there was a desperate need for a permanent kindergarten in the Unga area of western Kenya. This represents one of the most important periods in a child's development. Kennedy and Honza decided to do something about it.
Kennedy donated his own land for the project, and Honza began building a team and raising money for construction. Šárka was the first to join, and she organized a sales exhibition of her photos and paintings. She and Honza also began organizing travel lectures and screenings with an African theme. Matěj and Martin joined in and created a website, taking the project a step further. Next was David, who organised larger events to promote the project. David also set up a registered association, Rael, which, among other things, allowed us to get sponsorship and have the project officially under our umbrella.
The beginning of the construction dates back to 2015 and 2016 when the land was fenced and cleared of stones and bushes. The first major works were the digging of a well and the construction of toilets. There was also the planting of some crops and later the reinforcement of the fence. After that, all efforts were put into raising funds for the construction of the main nursery building. The plan was to build four rooms - three for the children and one as a classroom for the teachers. By early 2018, the money was ready, and in February, construction could begin. A few months later, the roof had been laid and minor improvements were gradually being made. At the end of 2018, just before the official opening, thanks to the quick help of our sponsors, we were able to build a kitchen where the children's breakfasts and lunches are prepared.
On January 3, 2019, nothing prevented the nursery from opening, and the first children came in. It took only a few months to almost fill its capacity, which at that time was set at 90 children (divided into three classes). This number included the 25 poorest children and orphans whose school fees are paid by individual supporters in the Czech Republic and abroad. From the beginning, we wanted to show that the kindergarten would be accessible to all - even those who could not afford even a small school fee.
The nursery gradually expanded. We finished the well, the kitchen and the dining room so that the children could eat together at the table. One of the first volunteer groups managed to build a playground and paint the kindergarten building with happy African motifs. Later, we added another classroom and expanded the capacity of the kindergarten (and partly the primary school) to 120 children. During the COVID era, we built an isolation house to serve as a quarantine for children with symptoms of the disease. However, it was never used, so it now serves as a house for volunteers when they come to Kenya to work.
A major development of the project took place in 2022. We built a new solid fence and paved the driveway so that it is no longer dangerous for the motorbikes that parents often use to take their children to the nursery. What's more, we got a new plot of land about 15 minutes' walk from the nursery. In the summer of 2022, a community centre was built on it, which was then opened by a volunteer group in February 2023. It now hosts educational workshops, and the centre also serves as a library and café. In addition, there was another unexpected development in the second half of 2022. Thanks to the tremendous support of donors and supporters, we were able to complete the construction of the primary school before the end of the year, which is seamlessly connected to the preschool so that the children do not have to go elsewhere. Primary school in Kenya is formally only up to grade 6. After that, it is secondary school.
At the beginning of January 2023, we could welcome up to 310 children in eight classes. The number of orphans and the poorest children in our support program has expanded to more than 80. Since many children commute to school from quite a distance, during 2023, thanks to a generous donation from ThermVisia, we were able to purchase two school minibuses to take the children to school each morning and back home in the afternoon. We also had to expand the ranks of our staff, which now numbers over 40. We have, among others, 3 cooks, 8 caretakers, 8 teachers and one teacher, gardeners or librarian. Most recently we have added an assistant to work with disabled children, of which we have several in the school. Kennedy manages the project on site in collaboration with Caroline, the director, and Dolphine, the coordinator. Honza oversees everything and coordinates the work of the team in the Czech Republic.
The most recent expansion occurred in January 2024 when we purchased a new piece of land near the village of Oboch. The goal is to build a secondary school there so that our 6th graders will not have to find a new school for 7th grade. We now have less than a year to try to build the secondary school, at least the first three grades (called Junior Secondary in Kenya). One classroom is already there and will be used temporarily by the kindergarten children this year. The current capacity is 350 children. From 2025, the oldest grades will move here, including just the 7th grade.
And why Project Rael? Rael is a little girl that Jan, David and Sarka met in Kenya. Rael had a difficult childhood, a significant part of which she spent in an orphanage. But she fights and struggles with her unfavourable fate. That is why the nursery and the whole project are named after her. She reminds us that we can overcome obstacles and develop the project further.
PRESCHOOL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
COMMUNITY CENTER
SOCCER TEAM
SUPPORTING ORPHANS AND POOREST CHILDREN