Rorok School in Kapsowar, Kenya

The Rorok Victory Academy is located in a small mountain village in northwest Kenya called Kapsowar. I had the opportunity to visit this on a recent trip and here is what I learned:

The children here (and Kenyans in general) highly value education. It is a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity. In Kenya- most government schools are so poorly run and equipped that most families strive to send their children to private schools - of which this is one. The tuition for the year is about $350 US and does not include books and uniforms. The day I visited the children were dressed their best, in torn and tattered uniforms - and so proud to be wearing them . They stood and greeted us as we entered the classroom and were so proud to show what they were learning that day. 4 children were sharing one book (also torn and tattered). Of the 200 students at the school - about 150 of them board there as it is too far from home to walk each day (there are no school buses or mode of transport besides feet!). Here is what I learned from Stanley Kipchumba- the Director whose family donated the land that the school is on.

Food for the day for the boarded children: Breakfast - tea and bread. Mid-morning: porridge. Lunch: rice and beans. Mid-afternoon : tea. Dinner: Ugali (corn mush) with vegetables if available and meat twice a week if available. On the weekend , they try to provide ONE egg. or some fresh fruit. *Director Kipchumba said the young ones squeal with delight if an egg is given to them.

The school has one cow which they try to milk to provide for the children- depending on how dry the season is, depends on how much milk is able to be obtained.

The "playground" is a skinny patch of grass about 75 feet long and 20 feet wide which borders a cliff that drops into the valley - If their soccer ball (a ball of trash) goes over the edge - that is it!

The boarded children live in a neatly kept (see photo) dorm which is made of wooden slats that have cracks in them, allowing air and wind to blow in. There is NO electricity or heat (it can drop to 45-55 degrees at night in the mountains at 7500 elevation) . The children sleep under one small blanket. I was told they spend their evening after dinner in the classrooms (see photo) studying and maybe playing a game.

And yet--- this school consistently scores very high on their grade 8 exams !!! which then determines where the government will allow them to go to school for high school and beyond. This school is a great success despite it's hardships.

Will you help me help this rural school and these beautiful children to succeed by providing supplements to their food each day and a new dorm facility for them to sleep. A little money goes a long way in Kenya- THANK YOU!