Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

More smiles!

25 February 2011

Categories: Kenya News

Ol Moti Primary School, near Amboseli, is a Born Free Global Friends school, and has in recent years received support from our valued partners, Schools for Kenya. Ol Moti has had new dormitories, classrooms and office blocks built, as well as new equipment for the playing field, books and more.

Last month, we visited the school with a lorry full of desks. Again, this donation was been made possible through our great supporters and friends, Schools for Kenya. The school has seen a significant increase in pupils, necessitating more facilities - hence the desks donation!

We arrive after a two hour drive on a rather rough road.  In fact it is by luck that all the desks arrive in one piece after all the bumps, potholes and trenches on the road! Kenya Wildlife Service who have always been our invaluable collaborators have today kindly donated their truck for transporting the desks.

The young children rush to see the lorry full of goodies. As we talk to them about the need to work hard in school, it is clear that the determination is very high. We learn that the school’s performance for last year was one of the most impressive ever! As we congratulate them we encourage them to work even harder, though clearly the drought has started taking its toll on some of them and their families. We can only hope the Government feeding programme will continue.

The deputy head teacher leads the thrilled children in receiving the desks. ‘Truly this is a huge relieve’ remarks the school’s Matron. Many of the children had to sit on the floor throughout lessons but it will all be different now! ‘This will truly boost the way we teach our children’, remarks another teacher. It is clear what may have seemed like a small donation is thoroughly welcome, enjoyed and of immense importance.

We hit the road again this time to the Lenkism Secondary School were the construction of a classroom is ongoing. We join in the construction as the Assistant Chief of the area tells us about the many challenges the area faces. Lenkism is the only secondary school in a radius of over 40 kilometres. My colleague Manoa tells me that the first time he visited Lenkisem, there was not even a thought of a Secondary School. Well, everything has a beginning!

We will keep you in the loop on our various school projects.
 
Victor