By Mrs. Lynne Smith | Trustee
As reported previously the Kenyan Government is implementing major changes to the Kenyan education system. The Mustard Seed Project's (MSP's) school has been working towards a change in status from a "Primary" school taking children to the age of 14 to "Junior/Secondary" school where the children will leave us at age 15. Our very supportive parents and enthusiastic and hard working staff are very keen for this change in status as our school is purpose built, classes are no more than thirty, it is very well equipped and has a feeding programme. Our children are poor and would not otherwise be able to attend a school with facilities like those we provide and where we have excellent exam results at age 14. To achieve "Junior/Secondary" status MSP has had to undergo inspections and jump through a number of hoops to fulfil the necessary criteria. One criteria is that we should have our own playground. When our new building was first completed the children played on a piece of land outside the school not owned by MSP. Now we rent a playground but the rent has gone up and the land could be sold at any time. It is an urban area and land is expensive. Our aim is to buy initially one plot of land and then a second for a playground for our children. When our Founding Trustee is in Kenya in February 2024 finding the most suitable plots is her priority. When she and two volunteers were in Kenya in October 2023 they were able to see what an asset to the school our rented playground was for the children, from the three year olds in nursery to the oldest, not just for play but for many other outdoor activities, as well as fulfilling the criteria for a change in status. We have been told verbally that we will be granted Junior/Secondary status but are still waiting for the paperwork confirming it.
It is only because of the kindness and generosity of our donors that MSP has been able to achieve so much. Our aim has always been to give all our children the opportunity to escape poverty through education. Education is highly valued in Kenya and our school is highly valued by our parents, by our staff and by the children. Some of those who have gone on to higher education have come back to visit us and one, James, having seen our new building, said he would like to come back and do it all again. He is so grateful for the opportuniies MSP has given him and which we have only been able to do because of you, our donors.Please continue to give us your support, or join us. It really can change lives for the better and is never unappreciated by the recipients, so thank you.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser