The Kariandusi School Trust (KST) was established in 2002 in order to raise the money needed to construct the new Kariandusi Primary School. One of the essential requirements of the new school, as it is with all the KST schools, was a freshwater tank to provide clean drinking water for the schoolchildren. Impressed by the efforts of Col. Harry Vialou Clark and his wife Alison, Wendy Birrell generously donated the money for the water tank.

Wendy Birrell was to go on to make further generous donations to KST school building projects before her very sad and untimely death in 2007. She also made a bequest in her will to KST which helped significantly to fund a building at St Peter's Huruma Primary School. Her generosity and commitment to KST has helped numerous Kenyan children to a better life.

Harry and Alison VC always encouraged Wendy Birrell's sister and family to travel to Kenya to see the work of the Kariandusi School Trust, in particular the major building and the water tanks that she funded and made possible.

So it was that in January 2011, Wendy's sister, Anne Kay and her three sons spent two wonderful days visiting schools and meeting staff, pupils and parents. They were given a glorious welcome when they opened Wendy's Memorial Building at St. Peter's Huruma Primary School and were treated to an afternoon of song and dance which was both inspirational and fun. Anne Kay and her sons felt very much that it was a privilege to see first-hand the good use being made of the financial support given to KST and were humbled by the way in which just a small amount of money can make an enormous difference to the children and community.

Along with Anne Kay's great thanks for the work being done and their welcome and treasured memories, her sons also commented that their lasting memories of their visit were:
"Seeing the smiles and excitement on all the children's faces, knowing they have access to education and a much improved school environment with all their friends."
"Meeting Harry, Alison, Anne and Steve and seeing the support they had from both the teachers and parents, because with that all-round support the school will thrive."

Anne Kay cutting the tape to open the new building

Anne Kay with her three Sons

The Langa Langa and Kariandusi Students have created beautiful Christmas cards.

Why not make sure that your 2010 Christmas cards not only stand out from all the rest, but also make a difference to children's lives by completing the attached order form and posting to Alison Vialou Clark.

The Dragoman Three Peaks challenge received generous support from Thrifty Car Rental who supplied them with a Ford Galaxy free of charge to get them from peak to peak. Their generosity means that all of the funds raised by the energetic team will go to Kariandusi School Trust (www.justgiving.com/drago-challenge). Thank you Thrifty.

A brave team from Dragoman took on the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the Kariandusi School Trust Karunga School build. This strenuous challenge involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within a 26 hour period. The team walked for 16 hours and drove for 10 between peaks, and hiked about 26 miles in total.

Your donations encouraged them enormously, and it's still not too late to reward their efforts.  www.justgiving.com/drago-challenge