The Olonini Primary School
On our way from the Masai Mara back to Nairobi we stopped at the Olonini Primary School, which is supported by GIVE International. Since we had to get to the airport, it was only a short stop, but it still made an impression on all of us.
They have 270 students of which 110 are Masai children. Most of the children (grades 1-8) walk over an hour to get to the school each morning. Compare this to getting picked up at the end of the driveway like most children in the US.
These children are very serious about their education and wanted to show off their schoolbooks and blackboard.
GIVE International has cemented the classroom floors, added new blackboards, and financed the construction of a kitchen where the children can get their hot lunches. These hot lunches are obviously nothing like school lunches here. Extremely basic – when we visited it was a bowl of corn – but the kids absolutely loved it.
Next, they will be adding two new classrooms (Grade 7,8). If you would like to get involved, you can make donations online:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s88975
… and designate the funds to the “Olonini Primary School”
So here is my suggestion: with Valentine’s day just around the corner, why don’t you share the love. Give your loved one just one rose instead of a dozen and use the remaining money to make a donation to GIVE International (of course after explaining to your sweetheart what happened to the other 11). 40 Dollars are not a lot for one person, but if only 100 people do this it would add a new classroom. Flowers will not last very long. This way your money will go a lot further! So, go ahead, share the love!
Beate Dalbec's Blog 