Ukwala Primary School

In the summer of 2010, our Foundation approved funding for the construction of a primary school to serve the HIV/AIDs orphans, as part of the Community Support Group project in Ukwala district of Nyanza province in western Kenya.

This region of Kenya is mostly inhabited by the economically and politically deprived Luo tribe with rampant poverty, illiteracy and ill health. With HIV prevalence of estimated 25%, there is a large number of orphan children whose parents succumbed to AIDs. Despite implementation of free primary education in Kenya, these orphan children are ostracized, discriminated against and deprived of education.

The local community support group acquired a 4 acres plot of land through the help of an American student with a plan to build a community center and children feeding center. The group approached our Foundation for Freedom for help to build a primary school of 4 rooms and toilet facilities in one wing of the community center to accommodate 50 students (70% females) in the 4 grades.

The construction has started with fencing of the plot, erecting the entrance gate, foundation of the class rooms. The large adjacent plot is being cultivated for corn, vegetables, banana and a dairy farm to provide income for the running expenses of the school in future.

We expect the school structure to be completed and running by the spring of 2011.