Matanya Primary school provides as well rounded of an educational curriculum as one might hope to find in any progressive school system. All of the children are well schooled in English, Kiswahili (the common language of Kenya’s 42 different tribes), mathematics, science, social studies, religious education and creative arts. The children attending Matanya Primary School have varied career interests and dreams such as lawyer, doctor, artist, graphic designer, computer engineer, nurse, pilot and more. Matanya’s Hope IS THEIR HOPE – we are the pathway from despair to opportunity.
School’s daily sessions begin at 8:20 A.M. and end at 4:30 P.M. with an hour off for lunch and breaks in between. The school year runs on a trimester basis beginning January thru April; May to August; and September thru December. Students enjoy holidays in April (Easter, August and December (Christmas).
Matanya Primary School is the oldest school in the area and children may begin at age 5 with the nursery program. They can complete the program ending with the 8th grade, when the children are 14 or 15 (some are older depending on their actual starting age). Because the cost of going to secondary school is approximately $450.00 USD annually – a sum most families cannot produce, less then 10 students a year manage to get into secondary school, with most not being able to complete the program due to lack of financial means.
In the last ten years only a handful of Matanya’s students have managed to go on to university, which is regrettably very, very poor. The children pray every day that they will be able to find a way to further their education. School is their way out. They know this, yet for the lack of a few dollars, so many potentially good minds have gone to waste. Dreams have turned to dust and yesterday’s children have turned to the barren earth for their sustenance, repeating the cycle of poverty and disease all over again.
Conditions are harsh in this area, with most children having to walk anywhere from 2 to 3 kilometers each way…in all types of weather. When it rains, the wooden class room buildings are soaked. Many of the teaching aids are destroyed by the rainy weather further challenging the teachers with their daily tasks. Chilling weather brought on by the rains frequently finds the children huddling together for warmth, since their clothing offers little protection against the elements or cooler weather.
In a recent email from Mrs. Mugo, our African liaison and teacher at the Matanya Primary School in Nanyuki Kenya, we learned of several newsworthy items worth reporting. While things might appear to be running in a normal fashion to the visitor’s eye, availability of food supplies remains critical. Crops have failed due to lack of rain and extreme heat. This not only effects the current day, but it affects the entire years food storage.
Demanding much attention is the children’s clothing. Many of the children are wearing threadbare or torn garments, which they have had for years as hand-me-downs. They are in desperate need of new clothing and uniforms. The girls need dresses or long skirts. All need cardigans, white shirts, jackets, pullovers, etc. In addition, most of the 250 children walk miles to school without the aid of shoes and socks to protect their feet. The ground is hot and rugged. The children speak often of their dream to have shoes and socks.
Facilities at the school itself are also lacking. Without running water, plumbing or electricity, the school is dependent on daylight and rain for these modern day conveniences. The teachers pray for a decent administrative office conducive for working, as it would be a great help to the entire primary school staff.
On the wish list for the school are items such as: lockers for the children’s books; a wood saver cooker for the kitchen to reduce smoke while cooking; desks, benches, worktables and writing supplies.
It is our goal to one day build a school with a church for the community of Matanya.
Please join us in this wonderfully rewarding labor of love to help save the children. Your contributions, both physical and financial are a blessing.
Save a Mind, Save a Child, Save a Life!
School’s daily sessions begin at 8:20 A.M. and end at 4:30 P.M. with an hour off for lunch and breaks in between. The school year runs on a trimester basis beginning January thru April; May to August; and September thru December. Students enjoy holidays in April (Easter, August and December (Christmas).
Matanya Primary School is the oldest school in the area and children may begin at age 5 with the nursery program. They can complete the program ending with the 8th grade, when the children are 14 or 15 (some are older depending on their actual starting age). Because the cost of going to secondary school is approximately $450.00 USD annually – a sum most families cannot produce, less then 10 students a year manage to get into secondary school, with most not being able to complete the program due to lack of financial means.
In the last ten years only a handful of Matanya’s students have managed to go on to university, which is regrettably very, very poor. The children pray every day that they will be able to find a way to further their education. School is their way out. They know this, yet for the lack of a few dollars, so many potentially good minds have gone to waste. Dreams have turned to dust and yesterday’s children have turned to the barren earth for their sustenance, repeating the cycle of poverty and disease all over again.
Conditions are harsh in this area, with most children having to walk anywhere from 2 to 3 kilometers each way…in all types of weather. When it rains, the wooden class room buildings are soaked. Many of the teaching aids are destroyed by the rainy weather further challenging the teachers with their daily tasks. Chilling weather brought on by the rains frequently finds the children huddling together for warmth, since their clothing offers little protection against the elements or cooler weather.
In a recent email from Mrs. Mugo, our African liaison and teacher at the Matanya Primary School in Nanyuki Kenya, we learned of several newsworthy items worth reporting. While things might appear to be running in a normal fashion to the visitor’s eye, availability of food supplies remains critical. Crops have failed due to lack of rain and extreme heat. This not only effects the current day, but it affects the entire years food storage.
Demanding much attention is the children’s clothing. Many of the children are wearing threadbare or torn garments, which they have had for years as hand-me-downs. They are in desperate need of new clothing and uniforms. The girls need dresses or long skirts. All need cardigans, white shirts, jackets, pullovers, etc. In addition, most of the 250 children walk miles to school without the aid of shoes and socks to protect their feet. The ground is hot and rugged. The children speak often of their dream to have shoes and socks.
Facilities at the school itself are also lacking. Without running water, plumbing or electricity, the school is dependent on daylight and rain for these modern day conveniences. The teachers pray for a decent administrative office conducive for working, as it would be a great help to the entire primary school staff.
On the wish list for the school are items such as: lockers for the children’s books; a wood saver cooker for the kitchen to reduce smoke while cooking; desks, benches, worktables and writing supplies.
It is our goal to one day build a school with a church for the community of Matanya.
Please join us in this wonderfully rewarding labor of love to help save the children. Your contributions, both physical and financial are a blessing.
Save a Mind, Save a Child, Save a Life!
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