It was about 2 years ago, while I was listening to my friends talk about their experiences in Kenya that I felt a strong conviction to offer some kind of help to the good work that is going on in Oyugis. After careful consideration and talks with my leaders, it seemed that it was ‘Education’ that would stir up change in this town. The school that I was linked to was the Nyatindo School and it was with an excited spirit that I presented the idea to my Heads of School at Waddesdon Church of England School. I then held an assembly for my sixth form colleagues to rally support and, on the off chance that any of the 80 teenagers had any spare change, I put a bowl by the exit. Ten minutes later I had £35 and a group of about 15 people who were ready and willing to help out.

We decided to target the younger years of the school as they are the most impressionable! We immediately started arranging a disco for them. Tickets were quickly sold out and the night was a success, raising £600. Due to academic ties and other distractions fundraising was neglected for a while but later in the term we did another disco and raised another £550. We also compiled a folder which was taken to the to show them what our school is like and we were thrilled to receive a bundle of letters from them.

Our funds were sent out to Kenya in November 2003 and earlier this year, in July 2004, it was my honour to visit Nyatindo School and cut the ribbon for the opening of the new science laboratory funded through our work.

I was shown around the block by the Head Teacher and the visit seemed to be going well until they proudly dissected a rabbit in front of me and I suddenly felt very faint!

I was delighted to see how much they could do with so little money, and if anything, the visit gave me a fresh incentive to keep the link between the two schools strong. It also kept me away from complacency. Although they have a fantastic new building and some new equipment they are still far from being well set up.

I was given the privilege of spending time in a classroom full of students about to take their final exams. Nyatindo is raising and releasing educated, sharp, young adults. It is amazing to be part of the process. There is a team at Waddesdon ready to continue raising money for Nyatindo. I sincerely hope and pray that the link will stand firm and grow.

Lizzie Mason

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