Preparations for the 2025 Singing Children from Kenya Celebration Tour are well underway
The changes in the Kenyan curriculum mean it’s more challenging to find a suitable time to bring the children on tour that won’t interrupt their education. This means the tour is shorter which, means not only can they not visit so many places, but that it is difficult for us to raise funds to cover the escalating flight and transport costs.
The children will arrive in Scotland at the end of August and visit the Livingston, Sauchie, Dundee, Dunfermline & Dumfries areas before proceeding in September to Ilkley, Burnley, Holmfirth, Abersoch, Burnham on Sea, Exeter, Portishead and finishing off with a concert in the London area.
Please, Please get in touch if you can support us!
- Can you be host family? ,
- Can you run a fund raising event?
- Can you help with transport or providing food for the children ?
- Can you sponsor the tour by placing a business add in the programme or supply the clothing, trainers or shoes the children require when visiting ?
- Know a school or organisation that would love them to visit ?
- Can you come along to a concert and bring your friends?
We very much want to make this tour a success and your help is needed
 
We want to share what a journey thus has been!
Maureen started Educate the kids with help from her husband in 1998.
The Humble beginnings of the charity established its ethos, and that no staff would be paid in the running of the charity, sponsor money would go to Kenya and that the time and talents of people who wanted to help would be utilised.
This sounds easy? right ?
Large charities hire the skills and marketing required to reach people and have the credibility that people look for when handing over their hard earned cash, which means for about the first 5 years Maureen sat at her desk in her spare bedroom, writing letters, making phone calls and would rejoice when she secured a £4 month donation to sponsor a child.
I am writing this as her daughter and have memories and admiration for her tenacity, love and determination that ultimately got us to where we are now.
I (Yvonne) have managed the day to day working for the last several years, but wholeheartedly know that Educate the kids would not have been born or successful without mum.The first children’s tour in 2006 (remember there wasn’t FB etc) is when the charity gained credibility, people actually meeting the children made it real. The tours since then
have been a great success in so many ways, and Maureen is still very much the drive for singing tours..
In the early days ( we still have some of you lovely sponsors that have been on the journey),we sent out regular photos, letters and updates by mail. The school had about 300 children at this time and it took literally weeks every term to organise. The development of social media, email etc then made this easier. Today as we have over 900 children, this is not possible, however If you sponsor a child and want a photo update or a letter it is
NO PROBLEM to get this to you, please just message and ask for it,
It is hard to quantify the success of the charity over the last years, or how many lives have been impacted and changed. One of the best things that happens when in Kenya is being approached by adults that recognise us and tell us about their jobs and accomplishments
 
CHICKENS!
The school has introduced a chicken rearing project which is currently managed by our Grade 8 students. With the project in place they will be able to learn how to look after the chickens, as well as teaching the other pupils in the school. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who made this happen. The chickens have successfully laid lots of eggs and students are looking forward to seeing the first chick !
The School House
The change to a school house from an orphanage over the last 18 years highlights the positive development and changes that have occurred in the community.
Currently a few of the children who have been in the house since they were very young are developing stronger relationships with their extended family, as parents, aunts, uncles and siblings etc are now in more secure positions. Some of the children successfully spent a few weeks with their families in the summer and half term holidays. Family bonds are important. A few of the children who are now approaching adulthood will need additional support for when they complete school, on their journey towards independence. The school house will continue to be a caring home welcoming and supporting children who need a hand up, not a hand out, independent, educated young adults is our goal.
YOU do make a difference !
Sponsoring a child or raising funds for the charity makes a huge difference.
Some of our sponsors are fortunate enough to visit Kenya nd the school, many who give of their time and perform great acts of kindness.
Our sponsors have managed to give out and fit onto feet nearly 800 pair of shoes & socks. The children are very grateful, thank you to such a special group.
Help with teacher observations and training is a real highlight for the teachers,they love sharing and are motivated and feel professional and appreciated. The teachers have had a couple of treat to local eateries curtesy of our sponsors …they certainly loved this and it is so great for team building.
Nursery, is doing fabulous and a great place for story time and other hands on activities by our sponsors.
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