St. Stevens School in Githogoro, Nairobi, provides early childhood education for over 150 children aged 3-7. Despite the dedication of headteacher Ruth Adhiambo and her team, the school lacked essential infrastructure for safe water and meal preparation.
During a site visit, EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust board members Dan Taylor and Liz Rihoy, along with the headteacher and representatives from Earth Angels, identified two critical areas requiring urgent improvement:
- Reliable access to clean water – The school relied on contaminated water, contributing to health issues among students.
- A safe and functional kitchen – Meals were cooked in an unsafe shack using an open fire, without proper food preparation facilities.
Addressing the Challenges
With a grant from the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust, Earth Angels led the implementation of two key upgrades:
- Rehabilitating a borehole – A new water pump, filtration system, and storage tanks now provide safe drinking water to the school.
- Building a new kitchen – Equipped with low-energy stoves, a sink with running water, and hygienic food prep areas, ensuring nutritious meals can be prepared safely every day.
Impact on the School Community
For many children at St. Stevens, school meals are their only reliable source of nutrition. The new kitchen ensures these meals are cooked safely and efficiently, improving student health and concentration. Access to clean drinking water also reduces waterborne diseases, helping children stay in school.
Part of a Wider Initiative
This project is part of a broader effort to improve early childhood learning environments in underprivileged areas.
In partnership with the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Committee, 10 pre-school classrooms have been constructed in rural Laikipia County.
Read more about the Pre-School Classroom project here: https://www.rihoy.com/news/completeion-of-eight-preschools-in-kenya
St. Stevens was also the prototype site for the Mobile Classroom Unit, another initiative supported by the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust. Read more about the Mobile Classroom project here: https://www.rihoy.com/news/nairobi-mobile-classroom-unit
By investing in practical, community-led solutions, these initiatives provide long-term benefits to children in Kenya, supporting health, education, and opportunity.