New School for Kenyan Community

By Hannah Ratcliffe
BBC Kent

The school in Mdengerekeni funded by Sevenoaks Prep School

Thanks to pupils in Kent, 500 children in Kenya can go to school for the first time.

Without an education, these children in the remote area of Mdengerekeni, 40 km north of Mombasa, remain in a life of poverty and could face a life of prostitution and crime.

The school will enable the first generation of children in Mdengerekeni to be educated.

The school hopes to take its first children into class in December.

Sevenoaks Preparatory School raised £10,000 in 10 weeks which funded buildings for a school and an education outreach centre.

The hunt is on for good teachers as the severe drought in Kenya has meant that many adults have headed to the city of Mombasa to find paid work so they can afford to feed themselves and their families.

Lime Green Lace Appeal

Sevenoaks Prep School will continue to raise money to maintain the school and pay its teachers. They have set up the Lime Green Lace Appeal; by buying a pair of green laces for £1 you can help fund the Build-a-Community Initiative which will enable the resources and support needed for a thriving and sustainable community.

If other schools are interested in Build-a-Community fundraising please contact [e-mail]

Making a connection

Sevenoaks Prep School first made a connection with Kenya when they changed their school uniform in 2008. Via one of the parents they sent their old uniforms out to school children in Mombassa through the charity, The Haller Foundation.

The school soon received photos of smiling Kenyan children in their uniforms. This inspired the pupils, teachers and parents at Sevenoaks Prep to do more for children in Kenya.