The school reaches out to orphaned and disadvantaged children. The community purchased the majority of the school building site: local people held their own fundraising events to help pay for and organise materials for the making of the mud bricks to build the school. The community, out-workers and staff have all pulled together to help build seven classrooms. Some classes are currently being held in non-permanent structures while more funds are raised for the final construction of the permanent school building.

You can help by teaching the children:

• Basic maths
• English
• Computer training
• Sexual health education.

The teachers are open to suggestions and out-workers are encouraged to bring with them activities that they would like to work on with the children.

We are sure that your experience at this primary school will be an eye-opening and rewarding experience.

Alternatives to teaching

If none of the above appeal, you could:

• Help a mobile clinic attend to the sick, the elderly, orphans and other community members.
• Undertake clerical duties relating to the care of vulnerable community members.
• Provide support to impoverished families, demonstrating sustainable agricultural practices, improving food production and diet.
• Reach out to the poor and needy with food rations and clothing.
• Construction workers are needed to train local people and help work on building sites.
  

The vocational training unit

This progamme has also established a vocational training unit at its Care Centre in Kimilili where courses such as Tailoring, Knitting, Typing and Computer skills are offered freely for orphans and, at a subsidised fee, for able community members.

The units in the computer-training programme are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, PageMaker and an Introduction to computers. The vocational training programmes provide students with basic vocational skills so that they are able to begin their own initiatives in their communities upon completion of the courses.

Plans are underway to introduce a carpentry programme once more funds have been raised.
The community also works with local private schools in various project areas to negotiate educational opportunities for local orphans. The community has successfully helped orphans receive subsidised tuition fees and arranged for them to pay fees with foodstuffs.

Did you know that as little as £20 could buy a boat, £75 a new home, £60 could provide clean water for a whole village, £150 an Ox for ploughing, £40 a bicycle, £1.50 provides agricultural training for a family.

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Omwabini is a project with an impressive amount to show for itself, clearly making a difference in the community and really giving people hope. It was so interesting being away from any touristy areas and seeing village life as it really is. It took a while to adjust to their pace and it began to become very clear that the amount they could do was very dependent on the funds that they had coming in.

Mary insisted they cooked for us. I had to work hard to persuade them to give me the same food that they ate because they thought our stomachs wouldn't cope. But I wanted to eat like a Kenyan, I had no problems and started to love ugali! Mary and her family were lovely and I miss them already.

Building a house was good as it was something to see go up. 

Torches were very useful considering all the power cuts! The shower was good (provided the water & electricity was working). A blanket was provided so I'm glad I didn't take a sleeping bag. I think donated clothes & shoes would be particularly appreciated by the project.

All in all it was a very worthwhile experience. I'm glad I did it in my University holidays seeing as I may never get such long commitment free periods of time again. Lucy I, Sept/October 2008