75 new students started at Gundua Secondary School this week

The students come from the villages around Gundua/Ex-Lewa and have completed eight years studies before continuing on to the Secondary School. In order to be accepted at the school, they need to have passed the basic level in all subjects as well as being able to pay the tuition fee of about SEK 100.00/month. This is a small cost compared to other Kenyan schools, but still a considerable sum for many families in the area, where the family earning in total is on average SEK 500.00/month. Hopefully, we will be able to lower the fee somewhat this year, making it possible for even more students to attend our school.

This year we will broaden our program for the students. Drums, soccer balls and other equipment have been donated to the school and our goal is to offer a creative and qualitative class within Drama/Music/Sports each afternoon. Efforts are also being made to build a basketball plan. Because of the costs involved, it will yet have to wait for a while. We have, however, had the possibility to buy desks and chair for all new students as well as lending bikes to a total of 20 students who otherwise would have had to walk for 2-3 hours per day to get to and from school. The desks arrived by truck last week and the strongest boys were proud to help carry them in to the classrooms.

The housing for the school’s teacher is soon ready to move into. The picture shows the almost completed building where windows and doors are being mounted.

Finally, I can inform you that the students at the Gundua Primary School right now are busy answering letters from Vittra-students in Sweden. Wonder, curiosity and laughter accompany this work and their new-won Swedish friends are eagerly awaiting their answers.