GVI provides wider community support for school holidays

School holidays are upon us here in Mombasa. GVI volunteers are busy preparing the new school for Olives Rehabilitation centre’s start of term in September (stay tuned for a blog later this week). The school holidays have also us freed us up to put energy into other side projects we are supporting, such as Precious Vision Children’s School.

Jane runs the school of 100 children virtually on her own

Precious Vision was started in 2007 by a woman who was running the upmarket Nyali Primary School. Jane (above) was moved to start a free school in the slum suburb of Shauriyako (fifteen minutes walk from the GVI base) after becoming concerned with the amount of local children not receiving any primary education due to lack of funds. She also assists local community members in the prosecution process relating to sexual abuse cases of the students.

A young resident of Shauriyako comes to investigate all the commotion as we round up local students

When GVI volunteers arrived at the school today for holiday activities, we found around 40 children sitting on the school’s porch. The landlord had locked them out of the building for defaulting on rent payments. After a quick discussion, we decided to hold art classes on the porch, a reading station under the mango tree and a sports and game station in the play area.

Students from Precious Vision waiting for GVI's holiday activities to begin, they were waiting on the porch because the landlord had locked them because the school had defaulted on rent payments

Jane promptly took us for a walk through the village, introducing us to community members (such as Joseph who runs the volunteer policing company, shop owners and students parents) and rounding up another 40 students to participate in the games day.

A local shop owner who supplies rice, maize and beans to the school when they can afford to supply school lunches

The day was a huge success, these kids don’t even text books or exercise books to work with throughout the term, so imagine their excitement when Ebun and Catherine (our fantastic volunteers) brought out felt pens, reading books, skipping ropes, a football, Frisbees and bubble blowers! My heart melts when I see the level of excitement in these kids over basic commodities that students often take for granted at home. Another incredible day in Mombasa, I hope you’ll stay tuned to our blogs.

- Tess Doogue, Project Manager

A student displaying his work from the art station, where we supplied each child with recyled cardboard, felt tips and crayons

GVI vokunteer Ebun takes charge of the reading station, suprising popular with the older boys

GVI provides wider community support for school holidays