Major Educational Development Project Successfully completed.

Way back in 2015 we began a major Rotary Global Grant Project intended to enhance education in the Kyaithani/Ndandini area of eastern Kenya!

 

The project has been highly successful and is now complete.  So many students and teachers are so grateful for what was achieved and provided.

By September 2016, two computer labs had been installed at Kyaithani and Lower Yatta Secondary Schools and teachers trained.  These computer labs each comprised 20 student Aleutia computers, 1 teacher Aleutia computer/server (all 21 computers networked and linked to a satellite access point), desks, and a solar system capable of powering the complete computer lab.

 

1500 solar lights were provided in early 2017 by this project to students under a "rent-to-own" program where students repay for the light in eight $1monthly payments over the school year and then they own it. The proceeds from the repayment allows for the purchase of another solar light which can be provided to another student in the following year, making the "rent-to-own" program self-sustaining on an ongoing basis.  The solar light "rent-to-own" program is administered by our project partner Kenya Connect.  Almost 7000 solar lights have now been made available since the rent-to-own program started early in 2017.

 

222 school teachers from 50 primary schools in the Kyaithani & Wamunyu areas were trained during 2018 in how best to make use of new government-provided computer tablets, servers and projectors.  This equipment was sitting idle due to lack of teacher training.  Teachers in all these schools are now making regular use of the equipment in their lessons.

59 primary school teachers from 27 primary schools were trained early in 2019 to use 21st century methodologies in incorporating the use of the computer tablets, computer server and projector.  The teachers expressed gratitude that they were getting a head start on the training that the Ministry of Education has said it would be providing "in the future" and are now regularly using these teaching methodologies.

Our partner Kenya Connect (with Kenyan staff located in Wamunyu, about an hour away from Ndandini & Kyaithani) has provided essential knowledge and support to us in achieving the above objectives.  Kenya Connect does amazing work with 64 schools in the Wamunyu and now Kyaithani area of eastern Kenya.  Check out some of their recent work on their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/KenyaConnect/

Here are some of the Global Grant project facts:

 

  Title  Kyaithani Cluster Schools Development Project, Kenya

US$101,564    Project budget

US$  22,188    Rotary Club Contributions

US$  10,000    Rotary District 5040

US$  37,188    The Rotary Foundation (TRF) 

US$  32,188    Gov't of Canada/TRF Canada

        

Rotary Club partners:

   Richmond Sunset

   Richmond Sunrise

   Gibsons

   Terrace

   Vancouver South

   Whistler Millenium

   Belleville (Ontario)

   Sussex (New Brunswick)

   Saint John (New Brunswick)

   Machakos (Kenya)

   Sunshine Coast-Sechelt

Tractor and Water bowser "revitalized"

We are so grateful to the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast-Sechelt and the Rotary Club Gibsons (BC Canada) for making donations this year to support the maintenance and revitalization of the tractor and water bowser that were originally provided in 2012 as part of a Rotary Global Grant.

The new tractor and water bowser being delivered March 2012

The tractor required a full maintenance and replacement of some significant parts at a cost of Cdn$2600.

The water bowser had developed some major rusting and it was important that this be addressed, both for the longevity of the water bowser, and also for the quality of the clean water being delivered to the schools in the area.  The cost to revitalize the water bowser was Cdn$1500.

The water bowser before being revitalized.

After being revitalized!

The people of the Ndandini/Kyaithani area of Kenya are so grateful for the ongoing support from these two Rotary Clubs.