“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
February 2020 – Hands of Hope Academy Choir Practice!
February 2020
In late January and most of February, we spent time at the Hands of Hope Academy.
For some years this school had operated in a rented school complex on 3 acres. In 2019 a generous donor enabled them to take out a long lease on another school complex. This new school, set on 10 acres of fertile soil with a permanent water source, had been closed for many years, and so the buildings required some renovations and additions. ECPK was able to fund these and in December Hands of Hope Academy moved in and began operations in January.
Painting in the girls dorm
Draining system for plates, bowls and spoons- Preparing to paint the bakery
- Preparing to paint the Hands of Hope dining room
- Dining room walls after painting
- digging out the springs
- Even a pool!
- Working on the tank
- Clothes lines for the boys
While we were there, we were able to paint the dining room, girls & boy’s dormitories as well as the bakehouse. One of our three volunteers oversaw the repairs to the water supply so that all the spring water would flow into the holding tank. There is now enough water to irrigate the vegetable gardens, supply the handwashing stations, the bathroom showers and the kitchen.
We had composting toilets built for the school as they are better for the environment and the health of the children.
We designed and installed clotheslines, a system for washing and air drying the plates, bowls and cutlery.
When we left to come back to Australia, we had no idea that all schools would close in March and as a result of our work the Hands of Hope Children had a safe place, in which to survive the lockdown.
We are so thankful to God, the three volunteers who came with us and worked so hard, as well as our faithful sponsors and donors.
Carole
January 2020 Visit to ECPK Students
We visited most of the beautiful 25 students that are enrolled in the ECPK Maasai Educational Program.
ECPK Students at Emeratoto- Elizabeth, Ann & Jane at Kesaile
- ECPK Students at MACAC Primary
- Love These Three ECPK Students at Romosha Primary
- Rael at Enkereri
- Visiting Doris at Saparingo
We brought a ‘Teacher in a Box‘ to donate to Itolish Primary School which has no access to the internet.
We brought parts of a phonics program developed by The Literacy Collective for us to trial and share with Itolish Primary School students and teachers.
New classroom at KINI Marra Academy
We spent most of January 2020 painting and equipping the new PP1 room at the KINI Marra Academy Early Childhood Education Centre.
Before- In Between
- After
- Developing Fine Motor Skills
- Everything set up
- Learning Shapes
- Matching Shapes
- Practicing Hand Eye Coordination
- Sewing Card All Done!
- Literacy Collective Training
- Setting Up The Teacher in a Box
- Literacy Collective Training
We had stuffed our bags full of things to brighten the PP1 Room adding colour and experiences for the children.
Enkishon Emaa Welfare Organization
We have worked with Enkishon Emma Welfare Organization, which at that time was a registered Kenyan NGO, to rescue and educate vulnerable children. They helped orphaned girls who are in danger of, or were running away from, female circumcision and forced early marriage as well as young boys who needed a helping hand and an education. We purchased hand made Masai jewellery from a group of widows in the Enkishon Emaa Welfare Organization to sell in Australia. All proceeds from sales go to our Masai Education Program.
Speaking at an anti FGM Rally in Dec 2014- Menstrual cups
- Launching the Days for Girls Program
- Jewellery
- Handing them out
- Enkishon emaa Widows
- Demonstrating Days for Girls
- Days for Girls
- Days for Girls at school
- Anti FGM march
- Anti FGM class
St Dobrias Preparatory Academy
The Vinbel Foundation
We support the work of The Vinbel Foundation. We have helped them with the running of the first anti-FGM conference that they held in Kisii in Dec 2014. We also will assist them as they build change rooms for girls in schools where they are distributing the Days For Girls Hygiene Kits. We consider these rooms to be vital to the success of the Days for Girls Program.
Other ECPK Initiatives
We are providing education and care for as many underprivileged Kenyan children and young adults as our funds will allow. Currently, we support 44 and would love to increase that number.
We are paying for school fees and other school expenses for the children to begin school.
We are providing safe holiday accommodation for our students as we have found out by experience that this is very important!
We will provide any necessary medical care.
Sadly the poor have no voice in Kenya so we are paying the legal expenses for one little girl, who was permanently disabled in an accident on her way to school so she can receive the compensation that is available to her.