Winter update …Getting organised for Christmas

Thankfully our school area has not seen a great number of Covid cases, but unfortunately the economic impact is devastating. This area relies on tourism, and there is simply no work. Lots of schools, nurseries and colleges have closed, meaning work is scarce and there are more kids than ever in the village needing help. Educate the kids has managed to send £30,000 per month in March to July, £24,000 August & September, £14,000 October & November, which has bought food for our school families and many of the vulnerable people in the village. All this money came from YOU! some was raised from the singing tours & kilt-walks  a few sponsors have done some fund raising, we have had some generous personal donations alongside the food appeal and we have used a percentage of your sponsorship money which would normally go on school dinners. it’s amazing that we have all been able to help in this way. We have also been able to keep all our staff, teachers, cooks etc on full pay, thank you truly lifesaving. Hope you have kept up with our updates on our social media .

With social distancing measures in place year 4 and year 8’s are now back at school and studying for their exams, Other classes are expected to return in January. We are so fortunate that the completion of our school new building in Febuary provides the means to be able to teach our classes under the government guidelines, it puts other plans on hold for a while but hey that’s Covid!

Other news
We have been looking after our school and orphanage and giving them both another freshen up, lots of painting, some new flooring and doors, bit of tiling, and a slap of varnish. This has created some much needed employment for local people  and tradesmen, and made the environment for the teachers and children better

Joseph Otieno one of our former pupils has just been signed by a Kenyan premier league football team, very well done, another Jolauabi success.

Tragically one of our lovely young sponsors who is well known and loved in both the UK & Kenya died in an accident recently. Naina’s friends have been fundraising on her behalf and have so far raised over £13,000! Naina would be proud of them as Educate the kids was close to her heart. She will be sadly missed. Her friends are still collecting   on this link

We have partnered up with Emma, who has a recycle shop and is making period pads for the girls in Kenya (thanks to others who also do this too)  These are made from unwanted fabric and textile scraps. For every pad purchased, one is donated to educate the kids. Link to her shop 

CHRISTMAS GIFTS 

At this time of year we start to hear from all our lovely sponsors who are keen to ensure that the child they sponsor gets a gift at Christmas. This year things are even harder than normal and we really believe that the best gift that can be given is food!, so we have set up a new food appeal. if you want a photo of your child getting food parcel then please name them in a note on your donation if you are happy that it goes into a general appeal to feed whoever needs it then just say LOVE or leave blank.             DONATE HERE

KENYAN ZOOM CHATS

If you want to participate in a group chat on zoom with the child you sponsor , or some of the singing children then please

contact Maureen on
maureen@educatethekids.com

She is happy to facilitate and get a few zooms going back and forward !!!