https://www.kinikenya.com

Kisaru Nkera Initiatives (KINI) is an on-ground organization in Kenya whose primary focus is educating children for a brighter future, whilst maintaining their cultural heritage.

Kenya is a very diverse cultural experience, from the city of Nairobi to the beaches in Mombasa to the untouched areas of the Masai Mara, and the Maasai people, who still live very traditionally in their villages. However, this can mean that many young girls and boys are not able to realize dreams of continuing their education and being part of a world where their society is quickly heading.

KINI has set up a school of excellence, one which the surrounding schools use as their benchmark, KINI Mara Academy (KMA) Early Learning Centre of Excellence. This is to give children not only the best academic education available, but to give them a vision of what the future can be should they dare to dream.

KMA has 360 students from PP1 to Grade 4 and with the school’s popularity it continues to grow at a rapid rate. Thus there are needed 8 more classrooms to ensure the school is able to run 2 streams for each class and also provide offices for teachers. Currently teachers and students eat porridge and lunch outside under the trees.

The school is run by Barbara Parkins (originally from Australia) who has devoted her life to providing a safe home and education for children who may be orphaned or in at risk situations as well as running the KINI Mara Academy. Barbara lives with the Maasai near the school and ensures she cares not only for the academic future of the children but their health and well-being as well.

The school currently has 6 classrooms and one tent for an additional classroom, for 9 classes which means 2 classes are using one classroom each with 70 students sharing a room; one office shared by the Bursar and Head Teacher and used for administrative support; 8 composting toilets, a kitchen and a dining hall to be used as temporary classrooms.

We need the fundraiser for building the 8 classrooms needed (which will include 2 large teachers’ offices/meeting rooms) – AUD$200,000 and sponsorship of children in KINI Mara Academy AUD$230 to AUD$685 per year.

ALL funds go direct to the school and the students in need.