What age range is catered for by the School?
In Kenya, Primary school is from 5-14 years. But as children drop in and out of school as and when the parents can afford it there is a wide range of ages in each class. The average class size is 80 children.
What is next?
 After passing the end of primary school examinations the children can go on to Secondary School.
Is the School free?
 Yes and no! In theory primary schooling is free, but the parents must supply uniform and paper, pens etc. So the poorer parents can not always send their children to school.
Are old UK school text books any good? No, not really. Kenya has its own national curriculum which is different to ours. Although the standards are the same; a seven year old should be at the same stage in education as a British child things are taught differently.
What does the Government supply?
 The Government supplies the teachers and money for the running of the school. However there is a constant battle to obtain enough funding. For instance the money allocated for text books is less than one book per pupil per year. As in the UK, local government can be approached to build classrooms, toilets etc; but as in the UK there is great competition for local government funds.
What would a donation buy?
 Costs for labor are very low in Kenya. A casual builder is payed £2.00 a day.
A desk (and we always need more desks) costs £20.
A corrugated iron sheet for a roof £9.00.
A transparent panel for a roof £16.00.
A bag of cement £6.50.
500 coral building blocks (like a breeze block) £200.00.
A lorry load (16 tonnes) of building sand £200.00.
To renew a classroom concrete floor (many are old and need refurbishing) £200.
None of your donation is used for administration; all is spent directly on the school.
Should I bring anything for the School when I come on holiday ?
 If you can, yes please. Pens and pencils are always needed. A lot of the parents find it difficult to buy them. Math Sets (like the Oxford) are also very much needed. We normally wait until we see special offers in the large supermarkets and then empty the shelves.
Can I take photographs of the School and the children?
 Oh yes. The children love it, especially if you have a digital camera so they can see the results
Is it easy to visit the School?
 Yes it is. If you are staying at the Mnarani Club the staff will show you how to get there. At other hotels you can get a tuk-tuk or taxi. You are always welcome and will be shown the children working and all the School facilities.
What about the village and local area?
 Mnarani village and the local town Kilifi, which is across the bridge from the village, are great places to walk around and explore. The people are friendly and do not hassle you. The town is a lively Kenyan market town with a great deal to observe. During the day it is as safe as any town in the UK to walk around. Places to visit are the Fish Market, the Fruit and Vegetable Market and the dozens of little stalls in the general market. There are banks, including Barclays, with ATMs which take UK credit and debit cards. There are plenty of small cafes and bars to get cold drinks and meals. There are no 'fine' dinning restaurants but you can get grilled chicken, curries and pizzas etc in the many local cafes. There are small supermarkets, chemists and internet cafes.
Go to Top