Gitare Primary School, Chogoria, Kenya

Gitare Primary is a 25-year-old school, which teaches pupils from 6-12 years of age. Historically, the school has had assistance with improvements from a local Methodist Church but the school is still very run down and badly needs attention. Electricity to the school is currently funded via donations from parents and the classrooms need considerable improvements and new equipment. The teachers salaries are paid by the government and 90% of the existing facilities have been built from parent donations and the Methodist church assistance.

Alderley Edge School for Girls visited Gitare School in July 2012 and did some amazing work. They raised a staggering £12,00, which fully funded the building of a library for the school. The girls also renovated the Nursery classroom and donated 100 musical recorders, football equipment and classroom materials. There were 23 in the group, including parents, and they all worked really hard on this project. They mixed cement by hand to lay the floor of the library and made A-frames for the roof. Three wooden book-shelves were crafted and painted, ready for the books. The nursery classroom was renovated and the girls painted some beautiful educational murals on the walls, as well as painting all of the tables and chairs. The nursery children couldn't believe their eyes when they saw their new classroom. After three days at the school, the group had acheived so much and they were all very sad to leave. Alderley Edge have pledged to continue their and are planning another visit in 2014. After their return to the UK, they continued to raise funds and are now paying for Eric Mwgendi Mbae, and ex Gitare pupil, to complete his four year nursing diploma.