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An inspiring contribution from architect Maria Evagora

Old school, Kenya, Africa

Old class Kenya, Africa

Kenya, Africa.  This is an example of what can happen when people work together and keep the momentum up.  The dream was to create a new school for 1500 children between the ages of 5 –16 in Kenya. The existing school was totally dilapidated and was inadequate for the numbers of children who attended the school, nearly half of which were orphaned to AIDS.

But where would the money come from and how could the dream be realised?

The school was designed and drawn up in London by an architect and these drawings gave the proposal credibility and weight. The new school design was ambitious and included a separate nursery school, 18 classrooms, a shady courtyard area for school assemblies, a library, and playgrounds.  There was even an outdoor theatre area; made up from the remains of the erstwhile mud brick school building…

All these drawings and ideas helped possible donors get excited about the project and helped them to visualise what could be done and drove the project forward.

A generous offer from one benefactor meant that a new nursery school could be funded. From this, another donor offered money for a water bore hole to be made – this meant that the school would have it’s own water source.  Something they never had before.

These kind donations generated interest from others, and so the momentum continued.  Over a period of a few years of drawings and discussions with the end users and fund raising and promises made and kept, the school did eventually get fully funded and is now in its final stages of completion.
This is a true story; and one that can hopefully be repeated.

Maria Evagora

Ben showing new school

New class