Consistently "giving something back" is a concept embraced by the selfless few. There are - very simply put - many with a great need and a few whose over whelming generosity is priceless. The following words are all very carefully chosen to try to create a picture of the heavy fog of Kenyan poverty, and a kitchen table charity which is cutting through and making a real difference.

I recently visited Kenya for two days, arriving in Nairobi on a Monday morning and returning to London on a Tuesday evening. A short trip, that has left a powerful impression.

On arrival a journey through Nairobi in morning rush hour, peppered with images of a swarm of people starting their tough daily routine. My taxi then skirted around the fringes of the stunning East African rift valley on its way to the town of Gilgil. This town has tangible poverty and its inhabitant's battle with endemic hardship.

I don't have the space here to quote all of the facts - income per household, demographic profile driven by HIV/AIDS, low percentage of children going to secondary school, living conditions that a prosperous European could not imagine - you can access these online.

What I can do, is endorse the work of a very special charity. The Kariandusi School Trust (KST) is placing educational improvement at the heart of an extremely well thought through strategy to revitalise a region. In addition to what you glean from www.kariandusi.co.uk, I would like to tell you a little more. The man who runs KST's operation (Colonel Harry Vialou Clark) has the fire and the drive of a man half of his age. I saw him address audiences from 80 - 600 pupils with an engaging and effortless mix of English and Swahili. He has a genuine instinct where investments will payback and he has the results to prove it. He has my complete trust and confidence, which is why my company has raised significant funds for KST for five years now. His wife Alison (fondly known to all at the schools as 'Mrs Colonel VC') is his support, compass and provider of considerable local human insight.

Together they have earned the trust and loyalty of the local communities. Teachers, pupils and parents understand their vision that a strong education can change people and community life-chances over time.

My visit ended with the "handing over" of another KST primary school (they have built or extended 14 already!) to the local community. On Tuesday 15 February, Karunga Primary School hosted an afternoon celebration of the work of the VCs and their extended Kenyan team. Under a fierce African sun, 600 pupils aged 4 upwards sat attentively and respectfully through the proceedings. What I saw in their faces was belief, hope, respect, warmth and intrigue. Go visit yourself, and then you can form your own view. Please pledge your support. The VCs are charming hosts and they will exponentially develop your understanding and perspective. Remarkably, they have just started to build a secondary school that will eventually hold 540 children, most of whom would normally terminate their education at primary level.

I completely endorse the effectiveness of KST and the VCs. They cherish and respect every pound of funds raised. Please find out more. If you are one of the financially able and selfless few, I encourage you to find out why your support would be priceless to many.

Andy Wilson
Managing Director
TTS Group Limited

February 2011