Karunga Primary School

Date started: December 2009

Date completed: July 2011

Cost of project: £125,000

Size of school: Triple stream school for 800 pupils. Currently 720.

One liner: Set on the edge of a shanty town some 15km north of Gilgil this school suffered from minimum maintenance over very many years.

Current Status: Under the new headteacher morale has risen markedly and the brand new school buildings have provided him with the facilities he needs to raise the standard of education of all children in Karunga.

More info: Years ago when the population was less and, presumably, money for schools was more plentiful, this school was probably doing well. The walls are in stone and when KST started the project in 2009 there were rusted, leaking corrugated roofs, broken window frames, only a few classrooms with concrete floors and only some with verandahs. There were no rainwater gutters or downpipes or decent water tank, and so mud was always a problem in wet weather.

A full engineering appraisal was prepared and work began. The success since achieved is a great tribute to the leadership and planning skills of our Project Manager, Mr Mathenge. He was taught at this primary school so had the necessary incentive to make a difference!

Two new classrooms, built by Madventurer passengers, have been completed. Madventurer is a UK based adventure holiday company that has been working in partnership with us for many years. The partnership is of immense value to young adventurers and to the communities in Kenya who are fortunate enough to have their help. Visit www.madventurer.com for details.

In February 2010 the Patron of our sister charity, the Langalanga Scholarship Fund (see www.langalanga.org.uk) the Earl of Carnarvon and Lady Carnarvon were given a rousing welcome by the Headmaster, Mr Sammy Mbugua. Following their visit the Earl wrote:

“Next day we went to Karunga Primary School for the more formal ceremonies and presentations of our trip. Karunga originally had very sparse facilities but the Kariandusi School Trust is building a modern quadrangle of buildings in an attractive setting. Fiona and I were part of the “breaking ground” ceremony for the new administration block. We arrived up a dirt track having passed through a small shanty village and were met by a group of beaming mothers who covered us in garlands, danced and ululated us into the school yard. What a welcome! - how seriously this group of mums are taking the improvement to their kids‟ school! We met Sammy Mbugua, the Headmaster, who must be one of mankind’s most enthusiastic head teachers! There were VIPs present including the local Chief, and the Chairman of Nakuru County Council. We were given a presentation of music, dance and dramatics from different ages within the school and the local Church leader gave us a powerful hell-fire sermon from his Bible. We met some very bright Langalanga scholars who are now going on to serious courses in tertiary education. Many have achieved very high marks in the secondary school certificate and are destined for universities and very good degrees”.

A new administration block consisting of a large library now stocked with numerous reading books, a well organized staffroom, two offices and two stores constructed to the highest standards are now major additions to this large school. Two very large water tanks were also included in the project. The handover of this part of the project took place on 15 February 2011. Andy Wilson, MD of TTS Group Ltd (the generous donor) cut the tape and unveiled the plaque to much joy and celebration by noisy and appreciative parents.

Andy’s essay on his thoughts on what he saw in Kenya is on this website as an article called 'Visit to Kenya'.

The total completed project was finally handed over to the local community in a wonderful ceremony on 6 July 2011.

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