Beginnings...

Tumaini means 'Hope'... 4 years ago 45 children and 3 volunteer teachers met in a tin shack with no books or lunch programme. In spite of the lack of resources, these teachers were determined to give the children a chance.

Then there were 250 in a building with 8 small rooms bought in 2007 with the help of the Giraffe Project. They have 2 meals a day, qualified teachers, books and computers.

Today...

Roughly a third of the children are supported by the Giraffe Project, and others by West Sechelt Elementary School in Vancouver, Canada.

2010 is a milestone year for the school, as its first year 8, or 'candidate class', will take their national exams (the Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education or KCPE) in November. These will be their passport to secondary school.

In 2008, land for a new purpose-built school was purchased with Giraffe funds. Work began in 2009 on a new school, with 11 bright, spacious classrooms, 2 computer labs, a library, staff room and offices. In January 2010 years 6, 7 and 8 took up residence in the new classrooms, on the ground floor. The first floor is due for completion at Easter 2010.

The plans include water storage, electricity and proper toilets. A kitchen and dining hall are envisaged in the original building. The whole project will cost an estimated 120,000 euros.