Friends of the Mwokoeni Children - School
The History of the Mwokoeni Children's Centre, the School and our Charity
Over the last 3 years, the charity "Friends of the Mwokoeni Children" have been giving support to destitute children in Kenya through the Mwokoeni Children's Centre and School
This school is based in Bombolulu, which is on the north side of Mombasa, on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya in East Africa.
The centre has been a refuge for many destitute children who would otherwise have very little chance of acquiring an education, or any other means of realising their potential.The centre originally started on 14 January 1997 when Mr John Morris Oondo started teaching three of his children in his house. Many parents later approached him to bring their children, most of whom had dropped out of school because of lack of funds to pay for school fees. A week later he had 37 children ranging from nursery to standard four. A few parents were able to pay some of the fees and so he added his teaching staff so that there were five, including himself. He bought some books that would assist in teaching the children. Mr Oondo built a small shelter made of palm tree leaves and the teaching became formalised. Soon the shelter was iron sheet roofed. The greatest problem then was space and the running costs. There is a continuing growing need and the people of Bombolulu are thirsty for the education of their children and the children themselves are crying out for education.By February 1997 the number of pupils grew to 64. Many more put their names down for the second term enrolment. By 2002 the number of children had risen to well over 200. The problem of Aids and joblessness of parents have affected many children. There are now very few parents who can afford to pay any school fees, so the children need sponsorship. Mr Oondo has faith that this project will continue but without funds or any other relevant help the school would be in great danger of closing down, and this would mean that a high proportion of the children would be back on the streets.
How the "Friends of the Mwokoeni Children" became involved
It was during the summer of 2000 that Carol Groves from England visited the Mwokoeni School whilst on holiday with her family and after returning home she started fundraising to help the running costs of the school.
A friendship grew between Carol and John through letters and emails and Carol returned to the school in 2002, taking four young people with her.
The charity "Friends of the Mwokoeni Children" was officially registered with the Charity Commissioners in January 2003.
The "Friends of the Mwokoeni children" have formed a strong partnership with the headmaster Mr John Oondo, and the teachers and have a shared vision to help educate these very needy children. At present there are 340 children.
What the "Friends of the Mwokoeni children" have achieved so far:
- The teacher's salaries are now ensured by the growing sponsorship
- A new boy's toilet has been constructed
- A piece of land has been bought for expansion
- There is electricity at the centre
- There is a computer for the staff
- The centre now has a carving and bread project underway
- Textbooks have been bought
- The centre is now registered as a recognised educational centre
- Young people from England, under the leadership of Carol are going yearly to the centre and many friendships have been made
- Stationery, clothes, toys, and first aid equipment are brought out to the centre by the group each year
- John Oondo has been to England twice and was able to thank those personally on behalf of the Mwokoeni Community, as well as visiting local schools
- There is a greater hope for the many children of the village
- Some of the children are being sponsored onto higher education.
With these improvements, come new challenges.There is a greater scrutiny by the Kenyan government and the centre needs to upgrade its facilities.
Teacher's salaries need to be in line with the National requirements.
More children will need to be sponsored to high school.
Prices are rising and the running costs are increasing.
The number of needy children is great, and the centre wants to reach more.
This all needs money, and needs a rigours fundraising strategy.
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