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:
Here are some of the Global Grant project facts:
Title
Kyaithani Cluster Schools Development Project, Kenya
US$101,564 Project budgetUS$ 22,188 Rotary Club ContributionsUS$ 10,000 Rotary District 5040US$ 37,188 The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
US$ 32,188 Gov't of Canada/TRF Canada
Rotary Club partners:Richmond SunsetRichmond SunriseGibsonsTerraceVancouver SouthWhistler MilleniumBelleville (Ontario)Sussex (New Brunswick)Saint John (New Brunswick)Machakos (Kenya)Sunshine Coast-Sechelt
