Project Objectives
Start of project, April 2010
Construction of the roofs for Corner of Hope School started in April 2010 in two phases. Two teams of people from the community were trained in how to construct the roofs. Training was done by TSC Global who are specialists in thin shell concrete roof technology. Project managers from TSC were on the ground from Colorado, USA guiding and training the teams to construct roofs for the first phase. They also got the teams started on the second phase to construct four more roofs. Six more roofs were constructed independently for the second phase using the skills that the teams acquired. A total of twenty roofs have been completed for eight classrooms, workshop and kitchen.
The teams who have participated in the training will receive a certificate of training. This will enable them to use the skills elsewhere and earn an income in the future.
The ground has been leveled with the help of the teams and parents of the children in preparation for the walls and floors.
In August 2010, a compressed brick machine was purchased for the community to make bricks using earth, some cement and water. So far the community has produced 9000 bricks, enough to almost complete the walls for four classrooms. We are awaiting the approval of the walling plans from the local municipality to start the process. The local company called Makiga Engineering from whom we acquired the Brick making machine will help us to oversee the walling process.
The school layout and walling plans have been kindly designed by Steve Lawrence.
The construction department of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru has been contracted to build eight latrines for the school. Holes for the latrines are being dug at present. The community will simultaneously build the last roof that will cover the latrines. The latrine compound will be fenced and secured.
The present makeshift medical facility in the camp is going to be converted to a functional, registered medical dispensary. The medical coordinator of the Catholic Diocese for funding possibilities has drawn up a proposal from the Corner of Hope Fund through AMI. Once approved, the refurbishing will start to have it ready by January 2011. In order for the medical facility to be registered by the government and be a part of its annual health budget, it needs to be running for at least six months. Once it is registered, the government will provide nursing and medical supplies. The dispensary will serve the children and families on the camp. It will also serve neighboring communities for a fee so that it can eventually become self-sufficient.
One hundred and ninety one children have been registered for school. Four classrooms in the existing tents and makeshift tin structures have been started in May 2010.
Eight trainee teachers from within the camp are being trained at the St. Ann's Montessori Teacher Training College. They started their training in April 2010. Their training timetable is designed to enable the teachers to implement what they have learnt under the guidance of two mentor teachers. The trainers at the college ensure regular visits to monitor progress and observe. In order to document progress, they are also responsible for writing monthly reports and ensuring that photographs are taken.
So far the trainee teachers have made Practical Life and most of the Sensorial materials including some of the Mathematics and Language materials. They have also completed writing their Practical Life reference folders and are progressing well with writing their Sensorial reference folders.
Research is underway on some agricultural side projects for the community. |
