School Desks for 601 at-risk childr
Donation protected
Hi, I am Anouschka, a singer songwriter, former music teacher and reporter. This campaign is for a public school I stumbled across in Kenya.
I wish to raise 3400 USD to build desks and benches for the 601 students at the public school- Watamu Primary School, in Watamu, Kenya. The students are among the most poor and vulnerable in Watamu and struggle alongside staff with dismal resources. They currently sit on the floor. When the rains come this will be even more challenging.
The school has long been shunned by the community as the school where children with no future go to "rot". Even teachers at other schools and locals frown when I mention the place, saying one is wasting ones time; no one can learn there. Having seen how many challenges they face, I'm almost feel swayed to just agree and give up but I'm a sucker for the underdog and a vision...
My impression speaking with senior staff is that they are an inspired team working to turn things around by involving community and teaching the children that they have value. They have their work cut out for them.
The principle informed me that the government allocates 1040 shilling (about 11 dollars) per year per child. He says that this is not enough to meet staff and student needs.
Their water was cut off because they could not pay the water bill. In 81 degrees heat, water is especially important. Many children already sit in the heat with no money for lunch during lunch break. I have paid the water bill now for a year.
I would like to, with your help, show these 601 children that someone cares enough about them and their school to seat them at a proper desk. My thinking is that, symbolically, that may also help the teachers feel that they are in a proper classroom and give the community a visual semblance that this is a proper school. It may seem like a small step however, hope is one of those contagious things...and this campaign is about delivering some hope and encouragement. It might seem small but doing nothing feels so much smaller.
I can't promise grand change, but I think it's worth a shot to share their vision. I can offer transparency and follow up by monitoring the funds, posting the receipts online, and overseeing production and delivery with photos.
Help me?
THE MATH
The quote I have receieved: Each desk to seat 3 children at lowest possible price production is 1700 shilling. (17 USD) That is for a desk using dry mango wood, and includes nails and labour. For 200 desks we reach the sum of 340,000 kes or 3400 USD. Transportation is an additional 5000 kes which I would cover. The manufacturing would take 2 weeks.
Links
https://www.facebook.com/anouschkamusic/
http://www.milelechildren.com
http://www.anouschka.net
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gaS6f1vvFE
I wish to raise 3400 USD to build desks and benches for the 601 students at the public school- Watamu Primary School, in Watamu, Kenya. The students are among the most poor and vulnerable in Watamu and struggle alongside staff with dismal resources. They currently sit on the floor. When the rains come this will be even more challenging.
The school has long been shunned by the community as the school where children with no future go to "rot". Even teachers at other schools and locals frown when I mention the place, saying one is wasting ones time; no one can learn there. Having seen how many challenges they face, I'm almost feel swayed to just agree and give up but I'm a sucker for the underdog and a vision...
My impression speaking with senior staff is that they are an inspired team working to turn things around by involving community and teaching the children that they have value. They have their work cut out for them.
The principle informed me that the government allocates 1040 shilling (about 11 dollars) per year per child. He says that this is not enough to meet staff and student needs.
Their water was cut off because they could not pay the water bill. In 81 degrees heat, water is especially important. Many children already sit in the heat with no money for lunch during lunch break. I have paid the water bill now for a year.
I would like to, with your help, show these 601 children that someone cares enough about them and their school to seat them at a proper desk. My thinking is that, symbolically, that may also help the teachers feel that they are in a proper classroom and give the community a visual semblance that this is a proper school. It may seem like a small step however, hope is one of those contagious things...and this campaign is about delivering some hope and encouragement. It might seem small but doing nothing feels so much smaller.
I can't promise grand change, but I think it's worth a shot to share their vision. I can offer transparency and follow up by monitoring the funds, posting the receipts online, and overseeing production and delivery with photos.
Help me?
THE MATH
The quote I have receieved: Each desk to seat 3 children at lowest possible price production is 1700 shilling. (17 USD) That is for a desk using dry mango wood, and includes nails and labour. For 200 desks we reach the sum of 340,000 kes or 3400 USD. Transportation is an additional 5000 kes which I would cover. The manufacturing would take 2 weeks.
Links
https://www.facebook.com/anouschkamusic/
http://www.milelechildren.com
http://www.anouschka.net
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gaS6f1vvFE
Organizer
Anouschka Pearlman
Organizer
