Some of the students pose for a photo.

  Partnership

 Recently, MESPT together with other partners namely ABD and PEMFAM visited the school to see the progress made so far as well as present various donations in support of the school.  The head teacher Mrs. Sarah Kilonzo as well as the Unit head Mrs. Esther Kasina greatly praised the contributions of MESPT and other partners in keeping the school going.  The CEO of MESPT Mr. Jeff Njagi was thanked for his commitment to supporting the school.

 State of the School

 Since May 2010, the school has grown from a population of 55 pupils to 70 pupils as at May 2011.  Other than the unit head Mrs. Esther Kasina, the school has three more teachers namely Mr. Daniel Mulalia, Mr. Dennis Kamwere and Mrs. Ruth Mutisya.  Currently the school has four classrooms, a vocational training workshop, two dormitories and a staff room.  In order to meet the special needs of the pupils, the school also has two subordinate staff: a cook, Mary Mwende and a house mother Anastasia Mwende.

 Two new dormitories funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that were under construction have stalled due to lack of funds.  Upon completion these will serve to ease congestion in the current two dormitories, one for girls the other for boys. 

 Current Undertakings

 Despite the many challenges the school faces, the teachers continuously endeavour to equip the pupils with basic education as well as vocational skills they can use to earn a living and contribute towards the development of the country.  Training of the pupils is made difficult by the fact that they must first be trained to overcome their disability before they can be taught any other skills.

 Over a period of one year, the school has registered some success stories.  One case is of a girl who was admitted without any speaking ability, through rigorous training and coaching the girl has now developed full speech abilities and can communicate fluently.  Not to be left behind is the case of a mentally handicapped boy who has progressed to be among the top five students every term in addition to being the class representative.

 In pursuit of self sustainability of the students, at the moment seven boys are involved in capentry and are able to make simple implements such as chopping boards and stools.  Six pupils are good in beads and are able to make a variety of bead jewelry among other things.  Infact one girl was able to reach a good enough level in table cloth making that since she left the school she continues to make table cloths to supplement her parents earnings.

The Visitors admire some handicrafts made by the pupils (inset: some handicrafts made by the students) 

 Challenges and Needs

 In spite of the growth and select success stories, the school still faces several hurdles.  The key challenge remains the fact that some of the pupils are seriously handicapped to the extent that they cannot even tend to themselves or feed themselves.  The school also continues to rely heavily on the teachers, well wishers and churches for daily survival.  The entire unit’s water needs are also met using a fifty thousand litre water tank that relies on scarce rain water in which case sometimes the school has to buy water at a high cost using their meager resources.

 Among the things that were identified as key, is the possibility of the school having a borehole that would be able to meet the water needs of the pupil.  Some of the excess water can also be sold or used for irrigation farming which would go along way in ensuring long term sustainability.

The School water tank. 

 Way Forward:  Documentary on the School

 During the May 2011 visit by MESPT and other partners a MESPT put together a documentary about the school that was done by Finetech.  This documentary may help to sensitize other like minded partners to visit the school, identify areas they can help and pursue without necessarily having to come through MESPT.

 At the same occasion, the PEMFAM group representative Martha Kihoro gave a speech on behalf of PEMFAM which donated among other things:-

-         Full School Uniforms for all the 55 pupils

Students dressed in Uniform, shoes and socks donated by the CSR team. 

On the other hand, Margaret Miano the MESPT CSR Committee chairperson thanked all those who had donated various items to unit and hoped that MESPT initiative will help mobilize more partners to tackle the key needs of the unit.  Among the things that were donated by MESPT included:-

-         Pairs of shoes and socks for all the 55 pupils

-         12 Mattresses

-         4 Footballs

-         Sanitary Towels

-         Exercise Books

-         Tissues

-         Clothes

-         Soaps

-         Food stuffs

Some of the items that were donated by the visitors. 

 The visit was concluded at 3. p.m. with a vote of thanks and prayers before the visitors left.

The CSR Team.