We are Elimu Action, a small non-profit organisation working on a range of educational projects in rural Kenya. We took educational resources from the UK to local schools that previously had nothing to enhance the students’ learning experience, so our resources made a massive contribution in supporting their language, maths and geography lessons. We provided a laptop and internet connection to a l
ocal youth group, who are now running sessions to improve computer literacy, which is an essential skill for admission into university. We also set up a pen pal project between Malakisi ACK Primary and Ashley Down Primary School in Bristol. Our main project at the moment is our nursery school, The Rainbow Learning Academy, which will be opening in Jan 2015 with a class of three year olds. Education is extremely important to local children and the whole community. Kenya’s official language is English, but most rural children can only speak the local language and Kiswahili, which entirely excludes them from professional careers and politics. Most young children in the area are malnourished and go to school hungry every day, which is detrimental to their ability to learn. In a place where unemployment is at 40% and the majority of people are living below the poverty line, a lack of education in rural areas is damaging to those unfortunate individuals and society as a whole. The Rainbow Learning Academy will provide a high standard of education and care for the most vulnerable children in the area, as the construction and running costs will be paid by UK donors. The nutritious feeding program will enable them to grow and develop properly. With excellent teachers and fantastic resources, our nursery will enable children to learn English quickly and naturally, giving them a chance to succeed in Kenyan society. The Rainbow Learning Academy will also help to sustain the local area by providing jobs and community events. We are currently raising funds in the UK and sending them over to Kenya for the construction of the school. The foundations for the tuition block have already been laid. Our first class of 3 year olds will start in Jan 2015 and then we will expand by adding a class each year. In the future we hope to expand into a primary school.
