Thanks to the generosity of local residents across the Burnham-On-Sea area last year, local charity Educate The Kids is admitting a record number of new starters their school in Kenya.
The charity – who brought a choir of 23 Kenyan children to Burnham-On-Sea last summer – have been able to admit 84 four to five year olds to their school, Jolaurabi Kindergarten, near Mombasa this month.
Southern area organiser Sue Stevens, pictured right with co-organiser Dorothy May, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is the highest intake of needy youngsters ever achieved.”
“Each child has their education paid for by a generous sponsor at a cost of just £6 a month or £72 a year. This not only pays for their schooling but also provides a uniform, underwear and shoes.”
“Ongoing fund raising in the local area ensures that each of the 600 plus pupils also receive a cup of porridge at morning break time.”
The Singing Children of Africa visited the Burnham area last summer when the members were hosted by local families and welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress, pictured top. They visited many schools and performed in the evenings to packed venues.
The proceeds of the tour were used to rebuild the charity’s well and pump water into the orphanage and toilets into the primary school.
Local people touched by the choir then opted to sponsor a child of their own, resulting in the large intake for January 2016.
Sue thanked everyone who played a part in making the tour such a success. “The legacy being not only water accessible locally for the community in Kenya, but also an opportunity for these 84 youngsters to receive an education that they otherwise simply would not have.”
“Fundraising and collection of blue and white dresses, blue or navy sweatshirts, grey school trousers, pants and socks continues throughout the year.”
There will be an opportunity to support the charity at Brent Knoll Farmers Market in Brent Knoll Village Hall on Saturday 9th January, 13th February and 12th March from 10am – 12noon where, amongst other items, handcrafted Kenyan jewellery, wood and soapstone carvings, batiks, bags and a limited supply of traditional instruments, as used by The Singing Children of Africa, are for sale.
