p14-15 News mar13 11/3/09 19:58 Page 14
news travel gives back
ttglive.com
Counsellors gives
back by helping
Kenya to log on
Political violence devastated communities across Kenya
last year, in particular villages near tourist destinations
such as Lake Victoria. Travel Counsellors chairman
David Speakman visited Kisumu with his family last
overwhelmed by the warm welcome, friendship
month to see how the donations his home-based travel
and humility of everyone. They were so grateful
for the little we give.
agency company gives result in sustainable changes to
Then it was off to Obola Primary School, where
children’s lives, and to see how their support of charity we donated another a laptop, and then drove to
Plan UK is making a difference. This is his account
the last school of the day, Alungo Primary School,
which also has an ITC centre and is part the
school linking programme.
It was hoped this would not only help with the The next day we continued our school
education of children in Africa, but also provide inspections with Marie Staunton, Plan UK’s chief
UK pupils with an insight into developing nations executive. Our first school visit was Arude
and the issue of poverty. Primary School, where we were welcomed by
a line of pupils and villagers applauding and
School trip shouting “welcome”.
My last visit was in 2007, but this time I wanted It was Maureen’s birthday and the Arude pupils
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS and Plan UK support the to return with Maureen, my wife, son Paul and presented her with a necklace and a bracelet.
poorest areas outside Kisumu, near Lake Victoria, daughter Anna. The local chief welcomed us and told us
which were all affected by the recent upheaval. We arrived in Nairobi late on a Saturday night the new school block, funded by The Evening
This region is inhabited mainly by large and started our journey to Kisumu on Monday Standard readers, was now a part of the school
families who survive by farming or fishing. Most morning. linking programme.
survive on less than $1 per day, and Aids/HIV We were picked up by Joseph from Plan
affects about 14% of the population. UK and taken to the Imperial hotel. Secondary education
About 25% of heads of families are aged After a quick shower we visited Plan’s office Our visit overran and we made a speedy
under 12 so effectively the region is populated nearby. We met Rasi Masudi, the local Plan boss, journey to the Huma Girls Secondary School. This
by a high number of orphans supported by the a charismatic leader of his team. school is also in the school linking programme
community or by relatives. Our first school visit was to see Ochok but has no ICT, therefore we have promised two
In addition, infant mortality is rife: one in four Kadonga Primary School, which has 750 pupils computers and help to build and equip the
children will die before the age of five. and 11 teachers. It is situated in Kisumu, the third- resource centre.
Children, particularly girls, live in a society largest town after Nairobi and Mombasa. Pupils The headmistress is a mother figure for the
that pressures them into getting married and had assembled under a large tree to greet us. girls, as a quarter of them, all aged 14 to 18, have
bearing children too early. The way out is educa- After inspecting the school, and its Informa- no parents.
tion, opportunity and em- tion and Communication Many are now the heads of family and, as well
powerment. Technology (ICT) centre, the being pupils, are distracted with the worry of
In 2007, Travel Counsel- pupils sang poems and how their siblings are surviving.
lors agreed to donate songs for us. Secondary schools are far fewer in number
£200,000 over three years We presented the school and are actually boarding schools, not by choice
for a “school linking scheme” with a new laptop for the but by necessity, because of the distances
that provides technology to ICT room, which the school children have to walk.
allow schools in Kenya, said had given the children The annual fees of £200 mean without a
Malawi and Sierra Leone to a massive boost. family member to pay, or a sponsor, many girls
forge links with UK schools. Mother and child at the Oponde Primary School We left feeling somewhat cannot afford to attend school.
14 13.03.2009
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