By Megan Setchell | Project Assistant
Recent months at Ondati have been busy, and students have enjoyed a well-deserved break from their studies at School. The beginning of December saw the students nervously take their end of term exams and the boarders were seen studying late into the evenings; a scene not common in rural Kenya, but one permitted thanks to a new battery purchased with project income. Despite these academic pressures, students maintained their roles in the school businesses, demonstrating that the girls really value what they learn from being involved in the enterprises.
As a reward for earning 11 stars or more, 20 students were taken to the District Livestock Farm on a day excursion led by their teachers. The Farm has over 100 high quality dairy cows, each producing over 20 litres of milk a day. Spending time on a working dairy farm really gave the students something to think about, and they were able to take away invaluable information about dairy management which they will learn to apply to the Ondati School dairy.
The term ended on a high with a project and academic award ceremony, but this hasn’t stopped activity surrounding the school’s dairy! The lack of dairy cows in the district means there is continually a very high demand for milk and thus preparations were being put in place for the arrival of two high quality dairy cows. The dairy unit saw an expansion and a hay store erected so that the cows are fed well even in times of drought. Land is also being leased to grow more feed for the cows and a fuel-run cutter is being bought from the sale of some of Ondati’s bull calves. Just to add to the excitement, a new calf was born in the School’s Dairy. Unfortunately it is the fourth bull in a row, and the students are hoping that the next will be a heifer! It has been named Les, after accounting volunteer, Lesley, who has been helping Ondati with its budget for this New Year, and has also given the team vital accountancy training.
January saw the arrival of our new Kenyan Field Officer, David Ramsay. We wish him all the best and look forward to catching up on his latest news!
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