Brief History of our School
Kasarani is a very poor, somewhat isolated village on the North Lake Rd of Naivasha. However, many of the people who live there are employed by the numerous flower farms around Lake Naivasha, which gives them hope. The flower farms, in concert with community stakeholders who care about education and opportunity, have been significant in the development of St. Andrews. A number of years ago, land was donated by a local rancher to begin a primary school for the fast growing number of school-age children for whom there was no option for education in this area. Loldia Primary School is fortunate to have the support of a Trust in the UK. Upon completing grade 8, the Trust sponsors approximately 20 students from among those who achieve high scores in the Kenya Certificate Primary Examination. These students move on to secondary (high) school. However, there are many left behind whose parents cannot afford to pay the school fees necessary to send their children beyond primary school. Enter the community! In January of 2009 after Loldia Primary School placed FIRST out of 130 schools in the District, the school met with community leaders with a mission that "no child will be left behind!" A mud-walled room was rented in Kasarani to assist orphans and children from poor families to continue with secondary education and St. Andrews began with a class of Form 1 (9th grade) students. The photo in the header was taken in our first location. Passionate teachers! Teachers like the former Loldia student who was sponsored through 8th grade, received a scholarship from the Trust, did well enough to receive support from a sponsor to go to Nairobi University. He graduated with a degree in micro-biology - and returned to his community to give back and teach at St. Andrews in that mud walled room with no salary! Government assistance! St. Andrews registered as a Government school in order to access assistance from the Ministry of Education. A Principal was assigned, and later one teacher. The government, through the Community Development Fund (CDF) constructed one classroom and an access road to the school. The Ministry of Education provides a fixed subsidy for student fees through the Free Day Secondary Education Funds for administration and teaching. Believing Community Partners! Despite the assistance given by the government, education is not free in Kenya. Parents must contribute toward the basic necessities of buildings, teacher salaries, uniforms, books, lunches, and other costs of running a quality school. Our community wanted not just a school, but a school that would excel and become the best school in Kenya! Excitement built quickly in the local community. Two flower farms, Shalimar and Bila Shaka, offered to help. Ten acres of land was purchased and fenced, water was provided by truck, 130 desks and chairs were purchased and night watchmen were provided. They also contribute partially toward the teachers salaries! Four classrooms, an administration block and toilet block were constructed with the help of others. The seeds are germinating, and we invite you to join us in nurturing them! We believe God is faithful and will honor our prayers and progress and commitment to give our children a future so that they can help shape the future of Kenya! |