Nakuru Hope Project

Susan splits her time between Perth and Nakuru as she oversees this amazing project (or projects).  She started visiting there in 2007 as a volunteer and quickly realised that she could do something herself to help the women.  She was caught up in the uprising in Kaptembura in 2007/8 and very quickly realised that there was no infrastructure, no food and no sanitation for the people.  She had 2 weeks left on a 3 month visa and worked quickly to find rental accommodation which she could turn into a place of learning for children. 

 

She managed the building of the school which eventually opened in January 2014 with 300 children, 35 of who were orphans.  The school is named after Gabriel (her own children's grandfather's name as he was very family oriented).  The school is built in the middle of the slums of Nakuru where there is virtually no drinking water available.  The government apparently turn on the tap twice a week for about 2 hours at a time.  It is highly flouridated so needs to be treated to stop the children's teeth going brown.  Many of the locals resorted to drinking out of drains - with the accompanying issues of spread of disease.  Through Rotary Sue obtained a global grant to obtain clean drinking water for her school which she was delighted about.  Her school makes about 1,800 meals per week in their kitchen. 

 

She has a child sponsorship program that costs $85 per month with 100% of the funds going to the child - this provides them with food while they are at school as well as their uniform.  By increasing the sponsorship amount to $100 per month the children also get food on the days when they are at home with their family. 

 

A plot of land was donated by some people from Queensland, and on that 3 acres they are now able to grow maize, kale, spinach, carrot, beans as well as some garlic and onions.  Very little meat is eaten as it is so expensive.  Nakuru Hope is not just a school; it is about nurturing their body as well.  They have a volunteer doctor from Arizona come each year to give the children health checks.

 

There are some 206 volunteers who come from all over the world to help out at the school.  Sue encourages anyone who is interested to come and have a visit.  Their aim at the school is to get the children to Grade 8 so they can read, write and have a voice.  From there they hope that they can obtain scholarship funding from donations to be able to send the children on to high school.

 

Sue has an Op Shop at the Fremantle Wool Stores where she sells goods to help raise funds for her project.

 

If you want to contribute in any way to her work please contact her susan@nakuruhope.org or http://www.nakuruhope.org

 

Thanks Sue for a very inspiring talk this morning.