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Welcome to the Elimu Foundation

The Elimu Foundation is a small, non-profit educational charity based in the UK whose core objective is to create wider educational opportunities for schools. "Elimu" means education in Kiswahili, the language of East Africa.

 

The Elimu Foundation aims to raise aspirations and to develop cultural awareness and understanding by setting-up, and facilitating, international links between schools in Africa and the UK, focusing initially on the London Borough of Bromley and the Nandi Hills region of western Kenya. We are also working on one designated project at a time to improve the quality of education in the Nandi Hills.

 

The charity has strong local knowledge and a solid support network in both places to enable us to match up different schools, two of whom have been linked since 2008. To ignite and further sustain these links, we run the following intercultural exchange visits:

• School trips to Kenya for UK sixth form students and teachers to visit the country and to volunteer their time in their partner school and develop their interpersonal and leadership skills
• Trips to the UK for Kenyan teachers to visit their partner school and to support their professonal development

Central to our vision is the creation of wider educational opportunities for schools to consider, and experience, life beyond their own localities.

Our Story

Our story spans two continents but begins in 2004, when Joanne Dwyer (our founder) was living in Kenya as a volunteer teacher with the organisation Africa and Asia Venture, in a school called Kipriria Academy in Nandi Hills, overlooking Kenya's Rift Valley.

 

Jo's time here, the relationships she formed in the community and the children who lacked basic opportunities and contact with a world beyond Africa, touched her profoundly. When the school asked her if she would come back to visit and perhaps connect them with a school in the UK, she promised on both counts that she would.

 

In October 2008, having returned to Africa in the intervening years, Jo established a link between Kipriria Academy and The Priory School in Orpington, Kent, where she had once been a student and retained close ties. This project became known as 'Kipriory', with Jo all but moving into The Priory for two years and together with her former colleague at Kipriria, George Tarus, establishing a 'Kipriory' team.

 

More about 'Kipriory' is available here.

The culmination of these two years, and all the previous years, came in July 2010. Jo took a group of 15 of The Priory's sixth formers and accompanying teachers to Kenya for the first time to meet George and to visit Kipriria and volunteer their time and skills in the school.

 

This trip was a memorable and life enhancing experience. It was recently nominated for Best Educational Visit at the 2010 Education Business Awards. It brought an added dimension to the classroom, challenged and altered people's perspectives, taught them new skills, and kicked off an intercultural friendship and exchange between teachers and students alike. Spontaneous visits to nearby schools in Nandi Hills, for a welcome ceremony and a World Cup style football match, opened up other possibilities.

 

Jo had, by this point, spent several years working in schools in the UK. This included a leading independent school where she had observed at close hand the divide between the state and private sectors, the opportunities inherent in one, not the other, and another kind of disadvantage. In Kenya and in the UK, she had seen, too, the potential for education to change someone's life.

 

Having been asked by a few other schools if she would involve them, too, Jo decided to assemble all of these things together, to bring different people on board, and to build something meaningful and constructive.

 

This led to the birth of the Elimu Foundation in October 2010 to work with and to create wider educational opportunities for schools, and ultimately, to respond to the things we can.

What We Do

The Elimu Foundation operates at a grass-roots level using a collaborative approach and aims to ensure the needs it addresses are the right ones.

 

We set-up links between schools, get to know them personally, and continue to help facilitate and support them in fostering an international dialogue and exchange.

 

Within this framework, the Elimu Foundation has the following objectives:

• To run school trips to Kenya for UK sixth form students and teachers to visit the country and to volunteer their time and skills in their partner school. Elimu has a criteria for both students and teachers to ensure they are fully involved and committed and are able to contribute according to the needs and requirements of the Kenyan school and curriculum.
• To arrange for Kenyan teachers to visit their partner school in the UK and to support their professional development
• To support the re-construction of Stalion nursery and infants school in Nandi Hills, Kenya. This is Elimu's initial designated project. UK school trips to Kenya will include a visit to the Stalion school. Please see photographs of the school below:

Whilst the Elimu Foundation provides funding support for each of these objectives, students do pay towards the cost of their trips which we try to keep as low as possible and encourage them to fundraise for. There are no adminstrative charges. Our own fundraising efforts are focused mainly on our development projects which cost up to £15,000 each.

 

The school link programmes themselves are free.

 

For more information and details about becoming part of Elimu, please contact us

What We Offer

 

The charity offers the following:

• An appreciation for life in a school
• Knowledge and understanding of cultures and education systems in both Kenya and the UK
• Experience of East Africa
• A programme to match-up and facilitate international links between schools with a partnership agreement
• A localised Elimu Support Network in each country so that the schools we work with can engage with one another and share ideas and to make it possible for the charity to support and advise them
• Guidance and administrative assistance for International School Award applications in the UK
• School trips to Kenya organised and led by the Elimu Foundation. This includes extensive risk assessments using up-to-date Foreign Office advice, arranging flights, transport and accommodation, delivering an in-country orientation course, and running the trip on the ground. Itineraries can, where possible, be adapted for each school party. We also hope to arrange for Kenyan teachers to visit the UK.

School Linking

School linking can be an enjoyable and more personal way of bringing parts of the world into the classroom. It enables students to connect with one another, to broaden their horizons, and to consider issues of global justice and development through a unique looking glass. When students have an opportunity to visit a partner school, in a place they might not otherwise have seen, or the chance to welcome visitors from far away and represent their culture, school and community in the process, these things take on a new resonance. It is about cultivating a wider educational experience which has the potential to raise aspirations and for students to develop greater insights and understandings.

This does not mean that school links between Africa and the UK are easy to implement or maintain. It can be a challenge to navigate, and to reconcile, differing approaches and cultural expectations and complexities. All the more so when one school is beset by targets and deadlines, while another is struggling with internet access and seeing its lessons grind to a halt as heavy rain thunders down on corrugated iron roofs. Schools in Africa and the UK have their own strengths and weaknesses and contributions to make. But sometimes this balance is lost and the different priorities they have day-to-day and some of the obstacles they face are not always understood.

A report resulting from a Commonwealth Consortium conference on school linking in South Africa, in December 2006, found that only a minority of UK schools have sustainable international links.

Such partnerships provide support in the UK for delivering on the current framework and statutory requirements (introduced by the previous government and so far upheld by the Coalition) on Sustainable Schools, Every Child Matters and Community Cohesion. They may also be important for the global Education for All agenda.

It is with these things in mind, and in the light of our own experiences of school linking, that the Elimu Foundation is matching up schools and working to facilitate these links.

 

We know that each school is its own entity and therefore, rather than present a standard model of how a school link partnershielimu schools p should be, we work with a core set of principles to help schools develop a partnership that is suited to them.

Education in Kenya

The principle of education as a human right was introduced at a World Conference on Education for All in 1990. This placed education at the heart of the global movement towards poverty reduction and development.

 

It led to the Free Primary Education Act in Kenya in 2003 to abolish complusory tuition fees for students aged six to 14-years-old with the introduction of government-sponsored schools. The country subsequently experienced a dramatic surge in school enrolment numbers from around six million to an estimated 7.2 million pupils. However, its schools were not fully equipped to deal with them. This resulted in:

• Large classes with very high student-teacher ratios (i.e. 1 teacher to 100 students)
• A lack of basic resources
• Many classes not being taught
• Untrained teachers being employed on temporary contracts to make up for the country wide teacher shortages and in an attempt to lower the student-teacher ratio, even though it created an unstable staffing body

Several years on, the Act still does not mean education is always free for everyone. There are not enough government-sponsored schools in Kenya and where they exist, parents still have to pay for uniforms and sometimes for text books and exams. The problems in government schools have crossed over into the private sector with a 'mushrooming' of fee-paying schools for low-income families, since many more children were exposed to formal education for the first time in the early days of the Free Primary Act. But children whose parents struggle to pay the monthly bill often find they are sent home while at the same time, teacher salaries may not be paid. This has affected rates of retention among teachers and students while for some the classroom remains but a dream.

 

Alongside these issues, achieving Education for All will require 18 million more teachers worldwide by 2015. The entire region in sub-Saharan Africa alone needs 4 million teachers to teach more students and to replace the ones who will leave – some to die from Aids.

 

Against this backdrop and underneath such stark statistics, many teachers in Kenya live and work in rural areas where there are few opportunities for professional development or models of teaching and leadership with which to engage. School linking can, in its own small way, help to reduce this sense of remoteness and support teacher morale and self-esteem. Teachers in Kenya very often welcome contact and friendship with colleagues from the UK with whom they can share different ideas and resources. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on their students' education.

 

Elimu Schools

United Kingdom

In the UK, we work with state schools in outer London boroughs. Our focus is on comprehensive secondary schools although we hope to involve primary schools in our work in the near future.

The Priory School

The Priory is a comprehensive secondary school in the commuter town of Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley. It has been linked with Kipriria since October 2008 and is due to visit Kenya for a second time with Elimu in 2011.

 

The Priory is currently fundraising in support of Kipriria's new library.

 

For information about The Priory, please visit the school's website

Charles Darwin School

Charles Darwin, a recent partner to Kipsamo School, is a comprehensive secondary school in Biggin Hill, a semi-rural area in the Borough of Bromley.

 

The school is working with Elimu to support the construction of the first library at Kipsamo. Charles Darwin is making an initial visit to Kenya with The Priory in 2011.

 

More information on Charles Darwin School can be found here

Kenya

Elimu works with the primary schools we find in Nandi Hills who need as much support as we can give them, whether they are fee-paying or government-sponsored, and who can form part of an Elimu Support Network.

Kipriria Academy

Kipriria Academy, sometimes known locally as Griffin's Academy, its original name, is a co-educational, fee-paying primary school near Nandi Hills town. It has more than 800 students on roll; many have in the past progressed to secondary school.

 

The school has basic boarding facilities for those who may find it difficult to attend school as day pupils. Children share bunk beds with two or three to a mattress.Kipriria has been challenged in recent years by an increase in the number of students, which has stretched the few resources it has. Its partner school, The Priory, is therefore fundraising for a new school library. The school has a significant number of temporary teachers which has led to a high turnover of staff.

 

Kipriria's headteacher, Mr. Jared Nyakundi, wants it to become 'the school of choice for the low-income earner and to give the best to the children under our care.'

 

'Last year saw the first batch of students and teachers coming to our school from the UK. We learned a lot from that group and I hope they also enjoyed and learned quite a lot from us. We are proud to have them.'

Kipsamo School

Kipsamo School is a co-educational, government-sponsored primary school in Nandi Hills. The school has 400 students who are all drawn from the local area,and 12 teachers. Elimu's Project Manager, George, is a well-known former student who has returned on several occasions to give motivational talks to current students and to the wider school community.

 

Kipsamo is a well organised school and its students do go onto secondary education, but it lacks resources as well as contact with other schools. Kipsamo has never had a library before and its partner school, Charles Darwin, is fundraising in support of one.

 

The school's headteacher, Mr. Julius Kerich, hopes that this link will help to 'improve education in the school. I've already informed the community and they really appreciate it. On behalf of the teaching staff and the community, you are welcome to Kipsamo. Thanks in advance.'

The Elimu Foundation is also working with Stalion nursery and infants school. We are re-building the school, which is currently housed in a small corrogated iron hut, to substantially improve the quality of the learning environment and educational provision. Stalion is our first designated project. Please visit Elimu's news blog to find out more.

Elimu Partners

African Promise

African Promise is a UK registered charity that is re-building and transforming schools and libraries in an isolated area of south east Kenya. The charity's founder is Charles Coldman who first experienced Africa when he visited Tanzania on a school trip. He returned to Africa, this time to Kenya, as a volunteer with Africa & Asia Venture. Three years later, in 2006, he moved back to Kenya to set-up and run African Promise. Elimu and African Promise hope to share ideas and expertise with one another.

STAR4Africa

STAR4Africa is also a UK registered charity dedicated to providing opportunities and support to children in isolated communities in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. Having focused on development projects since 2007, the charity is currently expanding its activities to include school linking. Elimu and STAR4Africa are finding ways of joining up and working together.

Nandi Tea Estates

Nandi Tea Estates is a tea manufacturing company in Nandi Hills, Kenya. It is one of the pioneer tea estates in the country which promotes positive corporate responsibility and where local shareholders make up 40% of its investors. Its Chief Executive, Mr. Titus Kipyab, is also the estate's General Manager, Chairman of the Kenya Tea Board, and owner of Tea Planters' Inn - a beautiful guest house in Nandi Hills which Elimu uses for its school trips. Titus likes to personally take UK students on a tour of the estate and tea factory where they can sample different shades of tea!

KEEP - Kakamega Environmental Education Programme

KEEP is a grassroots organisation working to save the last remaining stretch of tropical rainforest in Kenya through environmental education, raising awareness among local communities, and developing economic alternatives to the exploitation of forest reserves. Elimu's school trips include guided walks in Kakamega while all proceeds from overnight stays in KEEP's eco-friendly accommodation go towards the organisation's environmental education programmes for local schools.

Development Education Association - Think Global

Think Global is a membership based charity that works to engage the UK public on global issues. Its national network of member organisations, of which Elimu is one, share the charity's vision that all citizens should have opportunities to understand the global challenges we face and develop the capabilities to create a more just and sustainable world.

If you are interested in partnering with Elimu, please contact us

Testimonials

'We are missing the company of everyone from both schools. It looked like the team was well oriented. The students are still asking me about you people. Most of the schools here visited Kipsamo for the first time because the news reached everywhere that wazungus [white people] were teaching there especially after watching the news report. It sounded unusual, Kipsamo being a public [government-sponsored] school. The trees we planted are very healthy and growing well. Many schools are calling to ask about Elimu. Pass my regards to everyone.'

Sally Sang, Elimu's Kenya Rep., August 2011

Below are the reflections of sixth form students from two of our UK schools, The Priory and Charles Darwin, who travelled to Kenya with us in 2010 and 2011:

'I didn't think I could ever experience and learn so much on a 10 day trip. The people I met have astonished me with their kindness and how welcoming they have been. I am particularly grateful to Sally and George for showing us their home town and introducing us to their culture. The students at Kipriria and Kipsamo are so willing to learn academically and also about us and what England is like. Kenya itself is a very beautiful country and very diverse in its environments. I won't forget this experience. I hope Elimu can spread further so that more people can share their education together. I miss everyone already. Thank you so much, it has been amazing.'

Kathleen (2011)

'Any expectations I had were truly beaten by the amazing experience Kenya turned out to be. The children have taught me the most by far: they manage to keep smiling and never give up on their hopes and dreams. They have definitely impacted my life along with Jo, George, Sally and the teachers. It has been an amazing trip.'

Helena(2011)

'The memories I have of this trip will stay with me forever, from meeting wonderful new people such as George Tarus, Sally Sang and Elvis Presley [Sally's son] to every Kenyan man, woman and child who would wave and should 'Jambo '. The children of Kipriria, Kipsamo and Stalion are inspirational to the children in the UK; to have so little and appreciate so much. I hope we will take a little bit of African culture back with us.'

Matt (2011)

'This trip would be the first of a lot of things for me. The plane journey was awesome and I rode a horse! But things really kicked off when we went to the schools and generally walking around town. Since I have African roots, it was amazing to find out about them as well as being able to teach Kenyans about the English way of life. The whole trip itself was an incredible experience.'

Olivia (2011)

'Before I came I was worried that I wouldn't be able to teach the children in Kipriria and Kipsamo, but after my first lesson of English I realised that the children were so eager to learn that any worries I had were taken away instantly. I hadn't expected to get so attached to the children and at the farewell assembly we were reduced to tears as they sang to us. I want to be able to pass on the enthusiasm the Kenyan students have for education. My time in Kenya has reinforced why I dream of being a teacher; being able to help students realise their potential and help them to achieve their goals. I would love to be involved with this project and similar projects again.'

Judith (2011)

'I cannot describe, however hard I try, how lovely, friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming the people of Kenya really are. Over the past 10 days, George Tarus has become a true friend. Without people like him, Sally Sang and the wonderful Jo Dwyer neither Kenya nor England would have the chance to experience this epic trip. I thank you so much: George for the laughs, Sally for the muffins, and Jo for organising everything. We are all sad to go.'

Becky (2011)

'This trip in my eyes is second to none and offers our school so much. I strongly encourage future trips as for me it has changed the way I must see life. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this experience.'

Billy (2010)

'This trip was mind blowing. I can't put into words how great it was. The way the children welcomed us into the school was amazing. We were known as the teachers but the children and staff at Kipriria taught me more than I could ever have taught them. The students had such passion and energy to learn, so very different from back here in England.

This experience has changed my perspective on life. It has opened my eyes to people who are in need and to people who make the most of what they are given, and still wear a smile everyday. I'll never forget it or the people I met there, George Tarus is a great man; he looked after us and welcomed us with open arms straight from the airport (and taught me the Lion King song).

Asante sana Kenya!'

Ann-Marie (2010 and 2011)

Supporting Us

There are a variety of ways in which you may like to raise funds and support our work. Elimu is a non-profit organisation so we are entirely reliant on the generosity of donors and supporters.

Events: Why not get some friends together and hold an Elimu dinner party, organise a pub quiz, a wine tasting evening, a cake sale or an auction. If you're at university, ask your Student Union officers if you could nominate us as one of the union's charities. For the more adventurous: there's always a bike ride, a marathon or a triathlon, or even a trek up Mount Kenya! Alternatively, organise your own event and let us know if we can help you.

Set up a direct debit account through Just Giving. Giving a regular donation is one of the best ways to support our work as it enables us to plan more effectively. For every donation you make, Elimu receives the full donation plus automatic Gift Aid reclaim which means your money goes further.

Details to follow.

Corporate Sponsorship: If your company would like to make a difference to the education of students in Kenya, show support for their teachers, and help to connect them with schools in the UK and vice versa, or simply to bring a smile to your team, then consider joining Elimu's flexible corporate sponsorship programme.

Level 1 Sponsor

Support to the value of £1,000 + per year.

Benefits:

• Welcome pack
• Annual feedback report on the charity's work and how your support has made a difference
• Recognition on website, blog and in any local or national media

Level 2 Sponsor

Support to the value of £2,000 to £4,999 per year plus recommendation and advocacy to 2 or more business contacts.

Benefits:

• All Level 1 Sponsorship benefits
• Staff talk/presentation
• Staff engagement and fundraising advice

Corporate Ambassador

Support to the value of £5,000 + per year plus recommendation and advocacy to 3 or more business contacts.

Benefits:

• All Level 1 and Level 2 Sponsorship benefits
• Where support exceeds £10,000 your company will be entitled to an accompanied field visit to Kenya for two staff

Please click here to contact us.

Contact Us

To contact us, please:-

Email us
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Alternatively, telephone on +44(0)7790841585