Overview
In 2004 when Moving Mountains first agreed to support Embu Country Primary it was a very run down school in the heart of a busy market town; it had crumbling buildings, many leaks in the roof, no toilets or water, few teachers and the children were taught in empty, dirty classrooms with no facilities.
The school had a low academic performance and many children were never properly taught. Since then, six classrooms, a library, a new toilet block and a rain catchment storage tank have been built, and we have provided the 700 children with desks, uniforms, books, textbooks and musical instruments.
Through the close partnerships we have developed with the school committee and the education authorities we are helping to empower Embu County Primary’s staff, students, and the wider community, by encouraging them to look to the future and become self-sufficient.
More recently we have started the process of integrating the community into the life of the school, trying to get parents to take responsibility and help out where necessary. Money, whilst important, is a tool to assist and not an end in itself to poverty. We are able to provide continual management advice and support them in their process of gradual, sustainable improvement and development.
With the help of Mr. Njagi, the school’s music teacher, a music club was formed in 2010. With the support of Musequality and the donation of recorders, harmonicas, guitars, a trumpet, and a piano, the children were able to begin nurturing their talents. The school has completed annually since then in the Kenyan Schools Music Festival, reaching the National Levels on several occasions, a fantastic achievement for the school and community.
History of the Project
2004 - 2008 – Moving Mountains started working at the school and in the following four years constructed six classrooms, a library, a new toilet block and a rain catchment storage tank. The children have been provided with desks, uniforms, books, textbooks and musical instruments.
2010 - Embu Music Club founded with support from Moving Mountains Kenya Moving Mountains continues to support the school with volunteers and liaise with the headteacher and school management committee.
Main Donors
Chris Wilde, Dani Wilde and family
Sarah Wallis (former medical elective volunteer in Embu)
Australian High Commission in Kenya – Direct Aid Program
Rashid School, Dubai
Antony Murage Ndwiga, Kenya
Supporters in Australia
Musequality
Africamp volunteer groups and Alternative Gap volunteers (Adventure Alternative)
Moving Mountains Ireland
Get Involved
Volunteering - teaching non-examinable subjects such as music, sport, arts, ethics, plus running extra-curricular clubs and providing small group reading lessons, mentoring and group therapy work.
Future Aims
Structurally, the school is in a good condition and Moving Mountains continue to help through annual repairs and small renovations. Moving Mountains would like to attract more sponsors of the school and of the students individually so that they may continue their education to secondary school and further.
We have recently received a further generous donation from Musequality which will be used to kick-start the music club at Embu County. Starting from January 2015 we will be funding the salary of the music teacher to give two sessions a week at Embu County and an additional weekly session at Embu Rescue Centre for Street Children as well as holiday clubs and workshops.
To develop further programs for this remarkable school, we depend on the generous support of our volunteers and donors. Join us and make a donation today!
Dates
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