When we saw how the children who attended Nursery for Rael were growing up before our eyes, it was clear that our project would not end with the 2nd grade of primary school. After consulting with the local community, we decided to build four new classrooms, effectively completing primary school, which in Kenya is formally up to Grade 6. We therefore decided to build a new building.
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The Story
The year 2022 was an important milestone for Project Rael. The nursery was already in its fourth year and we were not afraid to expand. Thanks to the overwhelming wave of support we received from our supporters, we raised enough funds to build an elementary school in the fall. By the end of the year, it was done. Along with a new building to accommodate 120 children, we also renovated the driveway, built a new fence around the entire property, and constructed new restrooms.By March 2023, the entire school was completely full - we had more than 240 children in eight classes. The capacity of children per class, set at 30 children, is quite unusual for Kenya. Classrooms in Kenyan schools are usually able to accommodate up to 60 children. However, we wanted our school to maintain a high educational standard and for the children to receive the best education.
Of course, the number of local employees has also expanded, and now there are more than 40 in the entire project. The school is run by the headmistress Caroline, with seven teachers and one classroom teacher. Two cooks and one cook take care of breakfast and lunch, and four guards take care of security day and night. A gardener takes care of the school beds and a cleaner takes care of the grounds. As we have four physically challenged children in the school who require special assistance, we have employed a special assistant to attend to them throughout the day from April 2023. We do not forget the orphans and children from the poorest families who cannot afford to pay school fees. We now have over 80 of them in the school, making the place a truly inclusive institution.
To make matters worse, with the support of ThermVisia, we have also solved the problem of the long commute of many children to school. We have purchased two school minibuses that take all the children who live far away to school every morning and bring them back home in the afternoon. The interest in the school is so enormous that unfortunately we now have to turn many parents away. But who knows, maybe with your support we can expand further!
How to support?
Visit our e-shop and buy specific gifts that will have a concrete impact on your school. You can contribute to better nutrition and healthcare for children in particular. For example, you can buy them a box of fruit and vegetables for a day, a week or a month, pills to treat malaria, or a (much-needed) dental check-up for your child.Spread awareness about the school. Do you know someone who would like to donate to a good cause but doesn't know which one? Do you have friends who could help? Share our site, spread awareness and do your part to help us thrive in Kenya. Maybe your support is what will make it possible to build a secondary school!