Some wonderful news from the people of Kanthi village. Some would remember a request from Hon. Rachael Nyamai, Minister for Health for me to purchase land for a Primary/Secondary school which I reported in Bulletin Update No. 17. I responded that I believed it was the responsibility of her Government to purchase the land and build the school. Guess what, Daniel reported that the Hon. Rachael Nyamai has purchased the land, 8 acres for a cost of Ksh 160,000.00 and has promised to build one classroom for the Primary School by the end of 2014……..the power of suggestion!
In Daniel’s letter about the Nursery School (Kindergarten) he commented about needing mats for the children to sleep on during their afternoon nap (siesta). He also mentioned the high cost of nutritious food for the children, many coming to school hungry. The following are the quotes he sent upon my request.
The mats for the children to sleep on cost Ksh 200.00 each (A$2.58) and they need five mats to accommodate all the children at a cost of Ksh 1,000.00 (A$12.90).
The porridge for breakfast for all the children costs Ksh 180.00 (A$2.32) per day, so for one month it would be Ksh 3,600.00 (A$46.45) and for A TERM Ksh 10,800.00 (A$139.35).
The cost of a nutritious lunch for the children is Ksh 215.00 (A$2.77) per day, so for one month it would be Ksh 4,300.00 (A$55.48) and for A TERM Ksh 12,900.00 (A$166.44)
| Cost of mats for children | $ 12.90 |
| Cost of Porridge for a Term | $139.35 |
| Cost of Nutritious lunch for a Term | $166.44 |
| TOTAL COST FOR FOOD | $305.79 |
| TOTAL MONEY TO BE SENT for mats and food for ONE TERM | $318.69* |
| *at current conversion rate plus Western Union fee of $40.00. | |
Working on Three Terms per curriculum year the total cost of food for the children is A$917.37. To think for less than $1,000.00 we can provide 22 children with TWO MEALS per day whilst they attend Nursery School for their curriculum year, that is a cost of $41.69 per child per year…………..what do our children cost??
Daniel also advised that they are preparing the land to plant onions as their next crop, out in the open. The tomatoes are still producing which is fabulous.
Should you wish to read previous bulletin updates please visit www.walkforwater.com.au/news.
Cheers,
HELEN