Annual report 2023

Our school is growing year by year, and that is wonderful! However, it can only grow with your support. This year, we reached a milestone by putting our new toilet facilities into operation. It involved an enormous amount of planning and construction time. We are all the happier that it is finally finished and works as we had hoped. However, it can also happen that not everything goes according to plan. Unfortunately, we had to go without electricity for several months because the solar system failed. This meant that we had to cook with fire again, buy drinking water, and pump the flushing water for the toilets into the overhead tank ourselves. There are always unforeseen events that need to be resolved. Overall, we have been able to achieve many things and further improve the school's infrastructure. With the increasing number of sponsorships, we were also able to include more children in the sponsorship program, which is a great help to the families. We are very proud to see how the school continues to grow and how the children are getting an increasingly better learning environment.

Solar system

In 2021, we installed the solar system and for the first time had electricity in our school. Unfortunately, the solar system broke down this year. The inverter burned out due to constant overload. After several discussions with Swiss specialists, we realized that the system was not installed as it should have been, and therefore it was not adequately protected. Since we rely on electricity for our systems to function, we needed a new system. Together with the help of Roger Imboden (engineer), we reviewed several offers from larger companies for a new and stronger system. This time, we wanted a system that meets the highest standards and is comparable to solar systems in Switzerland. The products should also be ones that are used in Europe. We had several providers to choose from, who presented their projects at our school. After an intensive planning period, we decided on the offer from Chloride Exide. In October, the system was installed over the course of a week. We now have a 10 kVa inverter from Victron with two MPPT charge controllers and three 4.45 kVa lithium batteries. Additionally, we added ten new panels, secured them with a new mounting system, and optimized the orientation to north/south (the optimal position at the equator).

We installed an internet router so that we can monitor the system online at any time. This gives us an overview of electricity production and consumption. The internet connection is significantly better than before, and the signal strength is sufficient for all classrooms, which is essential for integrating it into the lessons. If the solar power is ever insufficient, we have connected the regular power line to the school. This serves as a backup in case of emergencies and can be activated via a switch. The great thing about this is that the surrounding houses now also have the option to draw electricity from this line to their homes. In the event of a complete blackout, we purchased a gas stove for cooking in the kitchen. Now we have a stable and secure electricity situation, ensuring that kitchen operations can be maintained at all times. For the maintenance of the solar system, we have signed a service contract with Chloride Exide. The annual inspections are intended to detect any potential problems early and prevent us from facing another malfunctioning system.

Sanitary facilities

Our largest project to date has been the toilet facilities. In last year's report, we discussed the construction and the system. We invested a lot of time and a significant budget into the entire planning and construction process. This year, it finally happened, and we were able to put the new facility into operation. It is a quantum leap! From the unhygienic pit latrines to a state-of-the-art, innovative toilet facility. After the completion of the construction work, we were, of course, nervous about whether our new system would work right away. It is a worm filtration system with water recycling. The entire facility operates as a large cycle. The waste is flushed into tanks, where red worms convert it into fertilizer. This fertilizer can be removed after about a year and used for the garden. The wastewater is pressed through a filter made of sand, stones, and cloths in these tanks and flows into the large wetland. There, it is filtered again for several days through a sand and stone filter. After this process, the water is cleaned to the extent that it can be safely reused for flushing. We are very proud of this project and the positive impact it has on hygiene and the environment!
The facility consists of two blocks, one for girls and one for boys. In the girls' block, there are six stalls with two seated toilets and three squat toilets for the youngest children, two showers, a teacher's toilet, and a disabled-access toilet. In the boys' block, there are six urinals, three stalls with one seated and two squat toilets, two showers, and a disabled-access toilet. The seated toilets were donated to us by the company Laufen (a big thank you at this point!) and were shipped to Mombasa. Clearing the toilets through customs was not a straightforward or inexpensive endeavor, but fortunately, it worked out. These are Laufen save! toilets, which separate urine from the other wastewater. This is very important in our system, as urine contains salt and is not optimal for the worms. Instead, the urine flows into a trench surrounded by banana trees. The plants can extract nutrients from the urine and thus survive without external water supply. In front of the toilets, we installed a handwashing station. To ensure that the children know how to wash their hands properly, an artist painted instructions with observing eyes on the walls.
The entire facility needs to be cleaned regularly. For this purpose, we have created a checklist and hired a cleaning staff. Maintenance is very important, as the system will not function optimally otherwise. Additionally, we have secured the toilets with metal doors, as there have been instances of unmonitored use during free time, leaving the toilets in a dirty condition.

CLASSROOMS

This year, we were finally able to complete the classrooms. We painted the walls, installed notice boards, and laid PVC flooring. The children can now attend classes in a well-equipped classroom. The PVC flooring is perfect for school use due to its resistance to water and dirt. The students had to wait a long time for this. However, before we could install it, the subfloor in the first building had to be replaced first. The reason for this was the lack of reinforcement bars, which caused cracks in the floor. The installation of the PVC flooring itself was also delayed. This was due to both funding issues and faulty installation. What was planned to take 5 days ended up taking several weeks. The flooring was incorrectly glued, resulting in bubbles. After several repair sessions and thorough supervision on our part, the flooring was finally installed correctly, and we were able to move back into the rooms. With the installation of the flooring, dust development has also been reduced, making the lessons significantly more pleasant.

Sewing studio and girl power

Women in Kenyan society face significant challenges. Their opportunities for education and success are very limited. They are often occupied with household chores and family care, which forces them to forgo education. Teenage pregnancies in Kenya are extremely high. Many girls become pregnant during high school and then drop out. We also have some girls who have discontinued their education due to having babies and are now at home taking care of the family without any qualifications. If they are lucky, their husbands are employed and support the family. Otherwise, it becomes very difficult. We wanted to address this issue and establish a project specifically for these girls and women. The idea was to provide women with job and training opportunities so they can learn a trade and earn some money. This aims to give women a perspective in life and enable a better future. We created a project plan for a sewing workshop. There, we want to train girls and women to become seamstresses and enable them to generate an income for their families. The program will be available for mothers, sisters, and former students. Additionally, the women will have the opportunity to interact with each other in the sewing workshop. It is intended to become a meeting place for women, where they can find a safe space for exchange, advice, and support. To facilitate this, we will host tea evenings several times a month, inviting all women and girls from the region. We are still looking for a social worker to oversee these evenings. Our goal is to improve the overall situation of women in Kenya.

Period cups

Female hygiene products are hard to access in Kenya. Many women and girls cannot afford them due to poverty. This leads to them being unable to attend school or work during their periods. Consequently, this results in educational gaps, lower income, and thus fewer opportunities for a better life. Women and girls are sometimes exploited by men to obtain these products. It is a shocking scenario that we can hardly imagine here in Switzerland. Due to this issue, we reflected on the situation and engaged with the topic. Because even in our school, there is a need for female hygiene products. However, simply buying tons of pads and tampons seemed unsustainable and difficult to implement. We then came up with the idea of using sustainable menstrual cups and washable pads. We launched the "Menstrual Cups for Women and Girls in Kenya" project and raised funds to bring cups and pads to Kenya. The reactions to the project were fantastic! With the donations, we were able to purchase a total of 60 menstrual cups and 50 washable pads. We took these with us to Kenya in September and handed them over to the school. Grace took on the educational work and distribution of the hygiene products. For the girls and women, it was their first contact with these products, and many questions were asked. Here, we also noticed that the level of education and the handling of female hygiene products is not comparable to ours. However, the products were received very well and with great curiosity. Next, we want to introduce the products to the mothers and thus bring them into the community. Furthermore, our goal is to produce the washable pads in the sewing workshop ourselves and then sell them.

Further buildings in 2023

We were able to carry out several small but important construction works. We finally installed a fence for protection around the school. This way, we can prevent strangers from entering the school and provide our students with a certain level of security. In Kenya, this is part of the standard equipment for every school
The old toilets were demolished, and the area was converted into a vegetable garden. We are now growing our own vegetables there, and the children are being taught about farming.

Sponsorships and Charline

The sponsorship program is very important for the children and the school. It currently includes 53 children, among them 6 who are already attending secondary school. The goal of the program is to accompany and support the students until the end of their education. If we only supported them during their school years, they would have no chance of completing their education, as their parents would not be able to afford further education.
What has particularly touched us this year is the story of Charline. She suddenly started appearing regularly at our school, playing on the playground and observing the lessons. However, she never spoke. We contacted her mother to understand Charline's story. She told us that Charline is deaf and does not attend school. Her husband has passed away, and she does not have the financial means to provide Charline with the necessary support she needs. Additionally, she has another daughter who is in a public school and also requires school fees. Deeply moved by the family's situation, we sought a solution. Together with her mother, we found a suitable school for Charline. We enrolled her in our sponsorship program, enabling her to attend the “Pwani School for Mentally Challenged” in Mombasa. We also included her sister in the program and transferred her to our school, where she will be in the 4th grade. We are very happy to be able to support her and her family in this way.

Volunteers

This year, we had a visit from Gianni and Jos. Both provided us with incredible support and experienced a lot during their time at the school. Gianni was with us for three months and taught as a trained teacher. During this time, he lived with Grace and Harrison, becoming a family member of the Nyundos. In his report, he shares what he experienced and what life in Kenya feels like.
Here you can read his experience report.

Jos visited us for a month and did a lot of manual work during that time. He built 15 desks for the school all by himself using a hammer and saw. He also made a swing, a seesaw, and a ping pong table for the children, which are always crowded during breaks. After his stay, he was able to spend another month with the Kenya Wildlife Service in Tsavo National Park. It was also an unforgettable experience for him.

Voluntäre sind bei uns immer willkommen. Falls ihr Interesse habt, könnt ihr euch hier melden: Volunteering

FINANCES

This year, we were once again able to count on numerous donors and supporters. Without you, the entire project would not be possible. We received donations totaling CHF 79,988.13. This is a slight increase compared to the previous year. The expenses this year were somewhat lower compared to last year. The following table lists all the expenses from last year.

expenditure	Expenses
Sanitary facilities	CHF 14’554.32
Sewing studio	CHF 1’244.29
Floor	CHF 7’655.29
Solar system	CHF 12’423.83
School building – Painting, plastering inside/outside, floor forecourt – Notice boards	CHF 10’932.74 CHF 9’856.77 CHF 1’075.97
Sponsorships	CHF 7’315.08
Period cups and washable pads	CHF 1’678
Kitchen – Pans and gas cookers – Table hotplates – Filter system and rain drainage	CHF 884.94 CHF 488.01 CHF 303.28 CHF 93.65
Water tank fillings and control contract	CHF 547.31
Teacher desks	CHF 770.48
Desks, chairs, playground	CHF 732.15
Main power line	CHF 1587.41
Solar security lamps	CHF 698.20
Final payment land 632 m2	CHF 1’337.37
School books	CHF 1381.44
Repairs – Repair floors 1st building – General repairs	CHF 1’337.14 CHF 1’068.73 CHF 268.41
Internet router, internet, security cables, various electrical work	CHF 915.78
Further editions Drawing 3. Building Removal of old toilet facilities Establishment of vegetable garden Emergency generator Fire extinguisher and fan	CHF 1’490.84 CHF 55.33 CHF 124.13 CHF 761.93 CHF 217.25 CHF 332.20
Total	CHF 67’486.61

Outlook 2024

Next year, we have various investments planned. A major repair of the second building is upcoming, as there are some cracks forming in the walls. The quote is ready, and only a few minor details are missing before we can start the work. We still have a temporary metal building, and the goal is to replace it with a permanent structure. As the number of students in the younger grades continues to rise and more students would like to join our school, we need more space. Therefore, we plan to construct a new, larger two-story building. This will include new classrooms, an auditorium, a staff room, and a space for the sewing workshop. In the long term, the idea is to open a Junior Secondary so that students can stay with us until the 8th grade. We are currently working on the building plan. Overall, the entire building will cost approximately CHF 50,000.

For the financing of our upcoming projects, we rely on your support. With a donation, you help us achieve our plans for the year 2024 and the following years. Thank you very much for your support!