Then and now
In 2003 the introduction of a free primary education meant enrolment increased by over 6 million children. Education was made a priority, however children were learning in appalling conditions. Without classrooms or desks, children sat on the hard mud floor under the scorching sun with no water supply, sanitation facilities or text books.
Since 2004 we have worked with 115 schools, benefitting over 100,000 children.
2004: Total number of schools supported 11 |
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Build a School was founded in 2004 to meet an urgent need throughout remote areas of Kenya & Uganda where schools were operating without classrooms, fresh water, desks or text books. There was an immediate impact when in 2004 we received funds to transform 11 schools benefiting 4,400 children. "I am 10 years old and in primary four. It is rainy season now but the way our school buildings have been made, we are safe in our classroom. This makes me love our school" Amida Kiiza. |
2005: Total number of schools supported 23 |
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In 2005 we developed the scope of our Build a School campaign. Along with providing safe and comfortable learning environments we focused on improving education standards. We supported 13 more schools benefiting 6,000 children. Since 2005 enrolment has increased by an average of 25% in Build Africa supported schools. "At our school 452 children now attend and the pass rate has gone from 0% to 96% in just three years" Patrick Ojilong, head teacher, Owogoria. |
2006: Total number of schools supported 30 |
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We continued building schools, however we also increased our focus on the importance of health education. The statistics speak for themselves. In Kenya, 1 in 17 adults live with HIV/AIDS. In Uganda, half of those living with HIV/AIDS contracted the virus before the age of 25. Through HIV/AIDS awareness lessons we have informed children about the dangers of the disease. |
2007: Total number of schools supported 57 |
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57 schools were being supported, benefiting 22,000 children. Parents and communities were at the centre of the work developing their own school plans, providing labour and materials. Today within each Build Africa school a School Management Committee has the knowledge and confidence to develop their school for their children. Community ownership of the school is vital if the work of Build a School is to be sustainable for generations to come. |
2008: Total number of schools supported 47 |
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We raised £500,000 to transform 47 schools in Uganda and Kenya. Along with the construction of classrooms, we did even more work on assessing the need of the schools, helping them to create a three year 'School Development Plan' addressing the educational needs of their school. Working alongside 47 communities, we built classrooms, supported health education and ensured more children left primary school with doors open to them. |
2009: Total number of schools supported 49 |
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We supported 25,600 pupils in 2009, up from 19,586 in 2008 (a 30% increase). We constructed 54 classrooms and renovated 27 more. We also built 95 toilets, provided desks for nearly 5,000 pupils and trained 173 teachers in English, Maths and Science. School Management Commitees were established in all of the schools, trained to identify the needs of their school and develop a three year School Development Plan. |