Educating orphans & the disadvantaged in Kenya

Here follows an update from Roko 20 Academy as we approach the end of Term 2.

As the year progresses, we are pleased to report that the performance of our pupils has improved dramatically.

During the County games, two of our Class 5 girls qualified and played handball for the winning team.

Exam results were recorded and compared with other primary schools in the district. One of our Class 3 boys came 1^st in his year out of all the 10 competing schools within the district. In addition, mid-term exam results put our Class 4 pupils in third position.

Our Debating Club has done extraordinarily well and, whilst it started with debating at our neighouring school, word has got around and now other local primary schools have shown an interest in debating with us. We have some bright and confident pupils from Class 4 and 5 who put up a good case expressing themselves in English.

There have been major improvements not only in academics and behavior but also in cleanliness. It’s no mean feat for children to keep clean whilst playing in the playground at breaktimes. It is literally a dustbowl during dry season. Handwashing is encouraged and a ‘white’ towel and soap is provided at the water tanks. A Soap Monitor is on duty to ensure the soap bottle remains topped up. Hands are washed before entering class in order to keep their books clean.

Recently cut off from the town’s water supply for almost two weeks we thanked our lucky stars to have remained with a constant water supply due to the large water storage tank kindly donated by Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club.

All this progress would not be possible without the commitment from our team of teachers and staff who are working together as a team to get the best out of our pupils.

After a rigorous academic first half to the year, our pupils and staff got to spend some well-deserved time enjoying an educational trip. Upper classes visited the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and Sagana Tanneries, followed by some adventure playground fun and a dip in the swimming pool. The younger two pre-school classes and Class 1 and 2 had an interesting nature walk near Thika where they met with porcupines, crocodiles and ostrich to name just a few. Following this they had the most exciting time on the rides at an adventure playground finishing off with a very cold dip in the small paddling pool.

As you can see the school is going from strength to strength. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support.

Thank you.

Links:

• Roko 20 website

We are happy to update you with news from the first term of 2019.  

Athletics

This year we were fortunate enough to be able to participate in the zonal athletics competitions competing against nine other local schools.  

Two of our pupils, John Kamondia and Beatrice qualified to the next level in the 5000 metre race.  

Beatrice, who is 11 years old, amazed everyone by winning her race and beating the runner-up with a gap of 200 metres on the finishing line.  Unfortunately, whilst competing in the sub-county level races she became sick in the last lap and went on to finish in 6^th place.  Despite the set-back Beatrice will still qualify to the next level. 

We recognise that Beatrice has focus, perseverance and talent.  We will do all that we can to ensure she reaches her full potential by helping her to maintain good health and become more self-confident. 

Water Tank

We are so very grateful to have received £550 from the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland to purchase a 5,000 litre water tank. 

We have now become self-sufficient having a permanent supply of drinking water and reserve water for the kitchen. 

Pupils and staff maintain good water drinking/ hydration habits so they do not develop any unnecessary health issues as a result of dehydration or suffer from the illnesses associated with poor water storage.

We fitted three taps outside the pre-school classes so pupils have easy access to drinking water as well as a constant supply for hand-washing.

A big thank you to all those who made this possible.

Level ground for the playing field

Rebecca and Matt, two volunteers from the UK, are doing great work assisting teachers in class and on the playing field developing football and athletic skills. 

Shocked by the state of our playing field, which these days rather resembles Mount Kenya as the incline has become quite steep, they decided to start a fundraising campaign in an effort to help us fund levelling of the field.  Their JustGiving campaign did tremendously well and they exceeded their target raising £620.

During the recent school holidays we hired large machinery to level the soil.  We dug deep trenches to prevent soil erosion and have plans to lay tarmac on the field in the not so distant future.   Pupils will be thrilled when they return to school for Term 2 to find a playing field which will allow their game to improve.

Big thanks to Rebecca and Matt as this is a huge step forward for Roko 20.

Roko 20 depends on the generosity of people like you, to raise funds and give precious time to helping us improve. 

We are indebted to our staff on the ground who, despite considerable challenges, are dedicated to making Roko 20 one of the best performing schools in the area giving pupils an opportunity to change their lives for the better.

Thank you all so very much!