Update from BHW Kenya Partnership Facilitators

Key Person: Robert Omundi

Recent Events

Activities

The most recent event to affect African Powerhouse has been the global pandemic Covid-19. The pandemic has resulted in the temporary closure of the school until September or a later date. They have given some education to students families on prevention measures from the virus. 

Another recent event has been the flooding in Kenya. The parents who had started income generation programmes have been greatly affected by both the virus and the floods. The water levels have now gone down but the farms they started were greatly affected. 

Due to the low incomes of the families they are currently unable to pay school fees. This has resulted in the teachers struggling due to the halt on income.

Another major challenge for the school is the government regulations for schools. They have said that a new school must go up to Grade 8. This will mean that African Powerhouse will need to build a new classroom which needs to be ready by November.   

Another recent event impacted by the virus is Robert being stuck in Rwanda with his family. Before the virus Robert went to Rwanda to see his wife who was working there. Robert was unable to leave once the lockdown restrictions were put in place and has needed support from Bright Hope World to return to Kenya with his family. The government has currently closed the border again so it will be another 30 days before they will be able to return home.  

Plans for the Future

This will be reviewed once lockdown has finished and students have returned to school. 

Current Issues and Challenges

Government requirements for Education Programmes: The government have said that the school needs to go to Grade 8. This will require Africa Powerhouse to build a new classroom by November.  Robert has suggested fundraising but the principal has said that families are currently struggling financially. The government has also said that private schools must continue to pay their teachers but with no fees coming in there is no way to pay salaries. 

Robert is still unable to return to Kenya with his family.

Families are unable to pay school fees so teachers are currently struggling due to a halt on salaries. 

Teachers have not been able to continue teaching throughout the pandemic as there is a lack of technology to do this in the community. 

The income generation programmes have been set-back due to the floods and the virus. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Praise God for the children’s lives that have been impacted before the pandemic.
2) Prayer for protection of the students and their families. Also protection and provision for the staff.
3) Prayer for the future of the families income-generation programmes, that they would be able to rebuild and thrive. Pray for God’s hand to be over these programmes.
4) Prayer for Kenya, that they would be able to come out of lockdown, the economy can open up again and the school could begin to generate income again.
5) Prayer that Robert, Dorcus and their children can safely return to Kenya.  

Comments

African Powerhouse could use some support through this time, funds to support their families in re-building the income generation programmes and some support for teachers who have lost their income etc. The BHW Executive has considered this and US$1,000 will be sent.