11/30/06

Day 2: School 2 (Kyandili Primary School)

The next morning we are up and off to our second school tour, this time to a Primary school in Machakos where Jackson teaches.

We are there because Jane is meeting with the principal about the possibility of rebuilding classrooms (they haven't been renovated in 60 years, since the school was first constructed) and we learn about the schools new innovative program which allows parents who cannot afford school fees to help in the construction.

Since all Kenyan schools are on holiday this month, we do not meet the students. But we do get a great tour of the school and a chance to talk with the principal. Below are some pictures from the trip. This school, located in Machakos, is similar in look and feel to many of the schools we visit on our trip. See pictures below, including the way the school is putting rain water to good use and one of the coolest basketball hoops I've seen in a long time...

The classrooms...



These tanks collect rainwater. Like most schools in rural Kenya, this school does not have running water.




The playground..students learn the art of basketball, without the bank shot.



Although all classes are taught in English, students learn both of Kenya's national languages, English and Kiswahili. For students from tribal communities (many have their own languages) this means knowing three languages by the age of 7.




After discussing the renovation we leave the school, and its imposing backdrop, looking back up the mountain to Kyangala High School.




Curious what it takes to renovate two classrooms in Kenya? About $4,400.

Budget below...
(Note: 70 Kenyan Shillings per $1)

REF: MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR RENOVATION OF 2 CLASSROOMS

IRON SHEETS 60* 2 = 120
CEMENT 140 BAGS @ 600
ROOFING TIMBER 4² * 2² - 205 X 2
ROOFING TIMBER 3² * 2 640 ft @ 210
Y12 BARS 60 @ 570
Y8 BARS 28 @ 350
BINDING WIRE 10 KG @ 500
ROOFING NAILS 4² 16 KG @ 80
ROOFING FLAT 14 KG
WOOD PRESERVATIVES 2 * 20 LITRES @ 500
2 METAL DOORS 76¹ * 30¹ @ 3000
6 METAL WINDOWS 4 * 5 @ 2,000
GLASSES 54 PIECES @ 60
WHITE WASH 4 BAGS @ 150
CREAM PAINT (10 TINS OF 20 LITRES) @ 550
LIGHT BLUE 2 TINS OF 5 LITRES @ 550
BLACKBOARD PAINT 1 TIN OF 5 LITRES @ 750
RIDGES 12 @ 100
BARBED WIRE 1 ROLL @ 2,200
ROOFING NAILS 12 KG @ 120
RED OXIDE (SPRAYING POWDER NO.1 16 KG @ 250
BUILDING BRICKS 300 @ 5
PADLOCKS 2 @ 150
FACE BOARD 148 ft @ 35
PUTTY 24 KG @ 30
SAND 2 LORRIES @ 6,000
RED OXIDE 2 TINS 4 LITRES @ 550
BLACK PAINT 2 TINS 4 LITRES @ 550
BALLAST 140 WHEELBARROWS @ 50
LABOUR @ 40,000

______________
TOTAL KSH
308,120


We are on our way now back to Nairobi for the night, to prepare for our trip to Sereolipi. Everyone talks about the roads in Kenya, it is the national bemoan. Before we reach Nairobi, I get my first taste, as a lorry gets stuck in an over-wet patch of road and we are held up for an hour, unable to pass. I learn about the teenagers who come out with the earthworms after the rain. They know these patches of roads, those notorious for flooding and for the sinking of back tires. They walk long distances, shovel in hand, and wait by the side of the road for the vehicularly unfortunate. When the time is right, they will dig and pull you out, working expertly and in a team, in hopes of a tip. Need and service, entrepreneurship blooms...


A typical road in Machakos

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