"It all started with a business trip which happened to fall in half term in May 2001.  Previous business trips had allowed for a build up of air miles, so on this occasion I was able to accompany my husband to Kenya, and its capital, Nairobi. 

The trip was wonderful. We managed a weekend safari in the Maasai Mara before returning to the city for the rest of the week.  While the business was taking place I was able to explore on my own. As this is not to be recommended in this city, I asked one of the hotel staff to accompany me.  She was happy to take me about the city centre and into one of the central museums where she explained much of Kenya's more recent history to me with wonderful illustrations from the galleries. 

In the afternoon she took me to her home. On the way we travelled in a mututu which was an experience in itself, visited her 'local' and met some of her friends and eventually went to meet her young son from school.  As a teacher I was interested to have a good look round and was made very welcome.  The head teacher explained that in the past when they had many more fee-paying pupils they used to cook lunch for 80.  She showed me the charcoal burners they still have.  Now the children bring packed lunch or nothing depending on their home circumstances, and they share the food.  I was shown the three classrooms, one no more than an office, each with a blackboard, a store cupboard and a few benches or chairs and tables - very few facilities, very, very few old workbooks, much muddied and scruffy.  They need!  They are all taught in English but learn Swahili, the national language, as a separate, examinable subject, so the grammar has to be taught.  The other taught subjects are English, Maths and GHC (Geography/History/Civics), RE and Music. They only have three instruments. The pupils have to provide their own pencils and exercise books. One I noticed was stitched back together again. It was an older sibling's hand-me-down.

Even as I was looking I was envisioning myself before the PCC back in Windsor telling them about the school and asking them to help.  I was particularly struck by the head teacher. She is a similar age to me and had such enthusiasm for her job although things are so tough.  I wanted to see her face when she was given the facilities to do her job better.  She is unassuming and very quiet and yet has a clear vision for her school.

Even though it was now after school quite a few children were still there.  They obviously liked it here.  When I mentioned my surprise at their presence and excitement she said they had been told to be ready in case a visitor came, and one had come!

On returning to Windsor I told of my visit and my proposal, and the Parochial Church Council decided to send money to the school.  It was decided that the best way to monitor the careful expenditure of the funds was to set up a Board of Trustees.  This was done with the help of the Bishop of Kenya, in whose diocese the school lies."

The community of Dedworth learnt more about the school from an exhibition mounted as part of the All Saints' Church Flower Festival in the summer of 2002. At this event individuals were asked to sign up for a One-to-One link scheme if they were interested.

Also during the summer the school was visited by a different member of the church whilst in Nairobi on business.  The pictures he took show a marked change.  Fresh paint and plaster on the walls, and more partitions.  Also the floors have been levelled. The back yard is being grassed.  He was also able to confirm that the Head is doing a fantastic job in teaching children who would not otherwise have any schooling.  They are also given a hot meal every day now.  He was convinced that the project was worthwhile.

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After the summer break 2002 a package of letters from individuals in Dedworth to each of the children in the school was assembled and dispatched. A Dedworth Playgroup has taken a particular interest in the project and made calendars which were sent to each of the children in the nursery section of the school before Christmas 2003. They are also raising the money to buy a slide for the back yard playground.

In 2003 a second parcel of letters was sent out. The playgroup has raised the money for the slide.

What is the project?

The Kilimanjaro Challenge

Achieved so far - September 2003

Ndumbuini Hill School as seen in October 2003

The Kilimanjaro Challenge Video

What happened during 2004

Latest News - 2005