News
Farm Progressing Well at TEAM School (February 2010)
As part of a sustainability Programme at TEAM school, MHPF have been working hard to implement a farm. The farm will work alongside the school and will serve TEAM in a number of ways. Primarily, it will provide quality food to the children that attend the school. The farm will also grow surplus food that will be sold at market to bring funds back to the school. The funds will go towards buying further seeds for the farm as well as increasingly going towards the running of the school on a monthly basis. The growth of the farm over the coming years is critical to ensure that TEAM can move towards self sufficiency.
The farm is currently a 4 acre piece of land. In January, the land was cleared by staff at TEAM as well as the Mlali community. The land then had maize and cassava planted on it - something which has sprouted very quickly!
The rain season in Mlali has been favourable, and fortunately for this region it has not stopped raining since December. This has contributed greatly to the expectation of a bumper first crop at the end of the season.
Desks at Memusi (February 2010)
To complement the new build at Memusi, desks have been commissioned and build specifically by a local carpenter. The desks will seat 3 children per desk.
Critically for MHPF and Memusi School a local carpenter created the desks for the school - giving work to the expert craftsman in the immediate area.
MHPF and Memusi School thank Isabel Norton for the kind donation to purchase 10 of the desks.
New Buildings Complete at Memusi (February 2010)
The visit of Matthew and Howard in November 2009 was critical to establish an understanding of the needs of Memusi school in the forthcoming year. It was also critical to ensure that they had the opportunity to speak face to face with the builder (fundi) who had the contract to develop the school buildings. It is essential for MHPF to ensure that all costs are approved and understood to get the best value for all investments.
Having met with the community, teachers and the builder, it was decided that the best course of action would be to complete the semi-permanent school building to include 4 classrooms and 1 library room. This will provide the safe and comfortable environment for the younger children to learn in. In addition to the semi-permanent building, MHPF have moved to complete the first permanent stone classroom. The room will provide a perfect classroom environment for the older children at Memusi. Each year, MHPF will now add a new permanent classroom, with the aim of ultimately having all Memusi children in the permanent building.
The buildings are creating brilliant reactions from the community. After meeting with the community, it was critical for Matthew to keep his promise of developing the school buildings. The new rooms are creating a positive buzz in Oldonya-Nyokie and wider Magadi area. The community are proud of their new school and community support is developing strongly.
Matthew and Howard from MHPF UK visit Memusi (November 2009)
In early November 2009, Matthew and Howard had a weeks long self funded trip to Kenya to see the work happening at Memusi.
The area around Memusi is in a desperate state. It hasnt rained properly in over 3 years and the drought is having a massive impact. There is no grass, greenary of any type and only twigs stick out of the ground. Animals lay dead at the side of the road due to starvation and de-hydration. The sand and dust that covers the ground is broken up by odd rocks only.
For the people of Oldonyo Nyokie near Magadi, their only way of life and income is their cattle. With the drought almost wiping out 100% of the cattle in this region, people are left with nothing. Matthew said "my main concern is that although people are not starving yet, with their income and worldly possessions gone, how far away is starvation?".
On arriving at Memusi, both were wondering what they would find. The scene on arrival was incredible, with over 100 people awaiting the arrival of their 'Special Guests' (as they were graciously named). The community are such warm, welcoming and happy people. They praise God for what they have and they love life with a passion. The school at Memusi is a life chance for these people and they are so grateful for that.
Because almost all of the people in this region only know how to be cattle farmers, the future for many people is bleak with all of their animals now dead. The school is giving their children a chance at escaping poverty and having a diverse skillset that will allow them to deal with these struggles throughout their lives. As well as giving the children a quality education, Memusi feed the children and as such are providing a guaranteed daily meal for the children that attend - the school has really become the centre of many peoples lives in this community.
The team were thrilled to see the school is progressing well, but still see many challenges ahead. They came home with a list of 26 critical actions that need to implement in the next year (a list that will grow day by day) to ensure progression, safety and quality at the school!
Thankyou all so very much for your donations to MHPF. You are making a difference and your efforts are valued so very much. Our work needs continued support, and as we grow that need increases. Please continue to support MHPF where you can. Thankyou.
Memusi School invited to Magadi Soda Event (November 2009)
On visiting Magadi in November 2009, MHPF and Memusi School were invited to the 'Magadi Soda Township Event'.
The event is held annually at Magadi Soda and is focussed around cleaning the environment around the township of Magadi. An invite from Magadi Soda is fantastic recognition from the organisation of the work that is happening at Memusi School.
At the event, Matthew, Howard, Simantoi and teachers from Memusi School represented the school and advertised the work that is happening in Oldonyo Nyokie to get children into education.
Matthew was also invited as a guest of honour to plant a tree in the Magadi Soda Township, showing support for the environment in this region.
St.Josephs Donate Tremendous Sum (November 2009)
St.Josephs School in West Yorkshire, UK has raised a tremendous sum of £2896 for its twinned school - Memusi. St.Josephs have been collecting the money through a number of innovative fundraising activities throughout 2009.
This is an incredible amount and MHPF are thrilled to be able to receive such an amount that will go such a long way to progress Memusi School in 2009.
Memusi School, and the entire community were able to receive the cheque in November 2009. The cheque was received with enormous applause from the children, teachers and parents.
On behalf of MHPF and Memusi School - Thankyou St.Josephs for your endless support!
MHPF Implement Policy of Malaria Nets at Memusi (Sept 2009)
In September 2009, MHPF implemented a policy at Memusi School that all children attending Memusi School would have a Malaria net. Although the area is hit by particularly bad droughts, the area does still have stagnant water in the Magadi region (water that is strongly Alkaline or strong salt water), meaning that the people in the region are particularly at risk of Malaria. Indeed in August 2009, Simantoi herself suffered from a worrying case of Malaria (thankfully now recovered).
MHPF have therefore determined that before the end of 2009, all children at Memusi will own a Malaria net, protecting them when most vulnerable during the night. This will ensure protection from Malaria as much as possible, and with numerous people sharing beds, the reach of Malaria prevention is really stretching far.
Building 50% Complete at TEAM (July 2009)
Throughout the month of June, the development of the new school at TEAM school has progressed. The new building will allow the school to double in size to take in 200 children.
TEAM school has increased througout the past year from 30 children to 100 children. We also have a waiting list of people who are desperate to attend the school. MHPF are working tirelessly on this project to help meet the demand and also to provide Primary level education. The aim of MHPF is to complete the development before the new school term in September.
Library Building Complete at Memusi (June 2009)
Through kind donations from Mr and Mrs G Williams of St.Catherines Church, Wakefield and donations from the congregation of St.Davids Church, Holmbridge as well as collections by Group IT staff at HBOS plc, MHPF are delighted to annouce the completion of a library building at Memusi school. The library building will also be stocked by books collected by Group IT staff at HBOS plc.
The library is an incredible gift to the school and community as a whole. For many regions of the world, people will never have seen a book. MHPF have worked hard to supply books on a regular basis for the school, but the library will be an incredible source of pleasure and development for the children and adults who will have access to the books. The library will be available to the local community to help develop their skills as well as the school having priority access.
MHPF would like to thank all people who have donated to this project - your kind gifts has made a huge difference.
Serena visits TEAM (May 2009)
CEO of MHPF Serena Tome visited TEAM school in May 2009. Serena was thrilled to see the school progressing and worked during the time in the country to establish plans for a new school building.
The trip was also vital for Serena to work with the senior staff at TEAM school in planning the Farming Project which will provide QUALITY food for all of the children at the school as well as employment for some of the local families in the region.
As with all MHPF field trips, Serena self funded the trip due to the vitality of the leadership team being on hand to work with our teams on the ground. On her trip, Serena said "The visit was vital in ensuring that the school is running to our agreed standards. It was great to see the children, but what concerns me most is the desperate situation that people find themselves in in this area. Our work is clearly only starting here".
Session 1 a Success Between Memusi and St.Josephs (8th May 2009)
On the 8th May, a long await virtual classroom session was held between Memusi School and St.Josephs School in Castleford, West Yorkshire in the UK. The session was also attended by Wendy Wakefield-Ferrin, Author of Grandmothers Alligator (the first Swahili and English book).
The session was a great success, seeing children from both schools singing songs traditional to their own country, asking questions of each other and discussing the Grandmothers Alligator book.
"The children were enthused!" said Kieron Flood, headmaster of St.Josephs school.
The relationship between the school has started to develop and is becoming a strong bond between the 2 schools. A follow on session is planned for July before the end of the school year.
Session 1 a Success Between Memusi and Thomasville (25th February 2009)
The 24th February 2009 saw Memusi School and Thomasville meet up for the first time in the Fire and Ice classroom for a Social Studies event!
The event was a huge success and students at both centres were thrilled at the opportunity of meeting up. This opportunity was unique for the children of Memusi to see the outside world, but also a wonderful opportunity for the children of Thomasville to see the Maasai community.
Talking about the event, Simantoi Mbarye said "It was a really success.My friends came to see the event, they have never seen something like that.It has given me reason to smile and know that this is real.The kids were so soexcited to see themselves in the web cam, although they still dont really know how is it possible but you could see the appreciation on their faces."
To see the recording of this wonderful event, please visit the following link: https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2009-02-24.0631.M.633D357EF28C9526EA8AA253F41618.vcr
Building Going Well at Memusi (20th January 2009)
Over the Christmas period the building of Memusi school has continued to develop well.
The picture (left) show how the structure is really starting to take shape.
Final touches are being made to the budget for the build over the coming week. Once agreed, the development will be completed and the 3 classroom development will be open enabling Memusi School to reach out to further students.
Fire and Ice Launches Memusi (23rd December 2008)
On the 22nd December, Memusi School was launched to the world through the fantastic Fire and Ice Programme.
Fire and Ice is a Programme that MHPF have partnered with to enable twinned schools to meet in a virtual classroom environment. Over the past 5 months MHPF have worked with Fire and Ice to develop a link to Memusi School. On Monday 22nd December, Simantoi Mbarye and 4 children from Memusi School attended a conference which allowed the world to meet Memusi.
During the conference an introduction was made to Fire and Ice, MHPF and the Memusi Project. Although initial technical problems were encountered the children talked about their hopes for the school and the Programme as well as entertaining the attendees with traditional song!
For those who did not manage to make the call, there is an opportunity to listen again through the following link.
https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2008-12-22.0931.M.633D357EF28C9
Building Starts at Memusi (9th December 2008)
The building of Memusi school has started! The money raised through 2008 has started to be invested in the development of the new school at Memusi
In late November 2008, MHPF broke ground on the building project that will see the school developed to provide education for 450 children.
The project will be developed in a number of stages. To ensure that the project can be easily managed by the team that are on the ground in Kenya, the first building to be erected will hold 3 classrooms. This will provide education for the children that already attend Memusi School, as well as 1 additional classroom.
Post the building of the first building, a short amount of time will be given to provide stability of the management of the operational costs of the new building. 2009 will then see further development of the school.
The development has been designed in such a way that the building project can be developed in stages. Each stage will allow 1 building to be erected and connected to the existing structures. This is an excellent method to the building project as it allows total control throughout the project.
Tanzania PM Meets TEAM Children (8th December 2008)
Late November 2008 saw the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda, visit the region of Dodoma.
For the people of the region, this was the opportunity for the people to meet the Prime Minister. In preparation for the regional visit, TEAM school prepared songs and dances that they could present to Prime Minister Pinda.
TEAM school were the only school in the region to carry out such a presentation for the Prime Minister. Kili says of the visit that "Prime Minister Pinda was taken aback by the quality of the work from our children. He could not believe that they could speak English, never mind sing so well in this language. He commended them on their singing and how well they are doing in education".
Such acknowledgement is a wonderful testomy of the quality of the education that has been developed by the teachers at TEAM school. The children have developed at an amazing level over the past year and have had the opportunity to demonstrate their progress to their Prime Minister.
The pictures here show the children speaking to PM Pinda with the use of the Microphone and also the PM stopping to speak to the school children.
Kili Visits TEAM (1st November 2008)
As part of Kili's University PHD, she was given the opportunity to go home to Mlali to continue her research into rural education. It has been 12 months since Kili has seen her school in Mlali and the change in the children and community was amazing. Children have prospered and the parents and village people of Mlali have developed a deep passion for their school.
Kili Commented:
Generally the school in Mlali goes on well. I visited Mlali last weekend and we held a parents evening. Children performed before the gathering and I was very impressed by their performance! They are surely inspiring.
When I stood up to speak, I promised them that next year we shall start a primary class. One of the burning questions the parents and village leaders sought to get an answer on was on Primary Education. The people of Mlali wanted education at Primary level for their children. In response to my speech, the Director of Education in Mlali ward announced that they have given us a hall in the education office for us to utilise for the same purpose - for free!
Parents/Guardians and villagers view the school as "our school" "our children's saviour" They told me "we are behind the school's management/administartion and we shall do anything for the school". After the meeting lots of parents & guardians were waiting for me in my house; seeking a place for their little ones.
I am thrilled to see the school and children have developed and that the people of Mlali are so behind their school. I can see a great deal of work, but also a great deal of progress in the coming year.