Build Skills with the "lost" Youth in Kenya

Dear Friends,

A last and newsfilled report on our good work outside of Eldoret before the year end.

Our Koshin school is developing and we are very excited about the two new constructions that we have undertaken. Yes, you read correctly: TWO new constructions at once! And this thanks to our contributing members internationally, the Rafiki Members on the ground, the local community and the school staff, substantially supported by the Benina Foundation. We eagerly await 2023 when we will inaugurate these new buildings. Building two structures at the same time is more efficient technically and financially, brings the global cost down.

A teaching kitchen and a girls' dorm will fill gaping holes in the school's operational capacities and have a large impact on it's attractiveness. We have been hoping to fill the school more. The Board and the staff under the dynamic leadership of the new Pricipal have been working hard towards capacity building. The kitchen will meet the needs of future hospitality students, a strong drawing card in the region. Once skilled and equipped with either a certificate, a degree or a diploma, trainees can enter a job market rife with opportunities.The kitchen with it's large dining hall will allow everyone to purchase lunch on the premisses and various functions and events will be able to be catered on site.

A girls' dorm and in the future, a boys' dorm, will answer the needs for housing and for security. This, in particular, will have a direct impact on the attractiveness of the school especially for students who apply from different regions of Kenya. KTTI is a national institution and the idea of housing one's son or daughter with local inhabitants in the area is less reassuring than what an institution can offer and guarantee. 

The big event held this month was the blessing of the new building constructions by the recently appointed Bishop of Eldoret. The great news too is that the masonery students are doing their attachment in their own school. These trainees are in fact building their own school! WONDERFUL to know how applied knowldge and skills can benefit the students themselves!

Have a wonderful year end with many many thanks for your generous and impactful support.

Claire

Dear members, dear rafikis,

This is our summer report and there is lots to share. A new chapter is opening in Eldoret.

It seems that the presence and efficacy of Rafiki Ya Maisha has never been felt so strongly. Efforts by all have been crowned by the steady flow of water to the school in Koshin with pumps and transformers now solidly in place. The structural issue is behind us opening the way for further projects. Two new buildings are pending approval by the Ministry of Works (1) a teaching kitchen/dining hall and (2) a lady's dormitory, due to start by September.

In our Rafiki team in Kenya, Dr.Dinah M. our new chairperson is replacing James C., after his 15 year tenure. She is a formidable catch and we are honored that she has accepted this position. Former director of technical & vocational schools for Kenya, former PS in the Ministry of Education for Science and Technology, with a PhD from Heidelberg, Germany, Dr.M. put Koshin on the educational map as one of the 8 chosen pilot vocational schools in the country. A few years ago, she delivered 2 large containers of electric & electronic equipment to our fledgling school.

Thanks to this true believer and benefactor of technical education, we are confident that wider and broader prospects for our schools are in the cards. Complacency and stagnation are being replaced by renewed energy. Dynamism and joy define the change of climate.

Zipporah K., recently appointed principal in January, had already raised the number of students to 500 in just one term. From this point onwards, our average institution, can only improve exam results from where we currently stand.

Enjoy our review in the picture gallery and thank you as ever for your support.

Kwa Heri,

Claire