Good People, Please Help Us Build This School

They live in the harshest of Turkana terrains. To describe this part as 'independent' is to underestimate the challenges bedeviling the people calling it home.

Government goodies here are just but dreams. No schools. No roads. No dispensaries. They are literally on their own!

This is Kootoro village, commonly referred to as Nakaalei, located in Kalapata, Lokichar Division of Turkana County. (check story:   http://lemukolwords.blogspot.com/2015/02/of-kootoro-school-and-community.html)   

Lack of schools aside, Kootoro villagers radiate hope. From their looks you immediately get a picture of a people with solid dreams but shaky foundations. They know the value of education though the only 'symbol' of education is their children learning under trees.

Their only school - Kootoro Mixed Primary - is 'housed' under trees. But wait, this condition hasn't stopped them from aiming higher. Demonstrably, they want to change things.

Women here lead the way. They are solidly behind their children's ambitions. For your information, the temporary classrooms (see photos) are the handiwork of these women.

Ably led by the only government teacher - Mr. Thomas Lotiki - these villagers have what may pass as a 'professional roadmap' on school building. 

They espouse what Booker T. Washington - that black American educationist and giant of community empowerment - would describe thus: 'the road to full emancipation is education. That any demonstration of goodwill by a people for their own development must never be ignored. And that development conscious men and women must make it their obligation to materialise these dreams. '

This is what this community is built on. They want a school. They want to be stakeholders in education promotion. They know good people out there are ready to heed their voices. And they have instructed us to pass this message to you.

Now, this is what they want from you: 

Key facts about Kootoro Mixed Primary School

• Kootoro Mixed Primary School was founded in 2009.
• It has pre-primary and primary section.
• Pre-primary section has 115 boys and 98 girls totalling to 213 pupils
• The primary section is comprised of 153 boys and 112 girls totalling to 265 pupils
• The nearest educational centres and libraries are in Lodwar town (Turkana County headquarters), over 120 km away.
• Books will be kept and well secured in school library, where pupils and teachers will access them freely.
• A policy will be in place that guides borrowing of books to minimise loss and theft of books in the library.

Intended Outcomes for the Library  

• To provide a source of information.
• To provide materials containing a wide range of views on issues so that pupils may develop the practice of critical reading and thinking.
• To help in timely implementation of the curriculum development by both teachers and pupils.
• To provide material that stimulates pupils’ acquisition of factual knowledge, development of literacy appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards.
• The pupils will finally pass their exams for their better future.

Needs

The school library needs the following books and materials:

Languages:

• English -New progressive English (OUP) for std 1-8
• Kiswahili- Kiswahili Mufti na Walla bin Walla (Longhorn (K) Ltd) 1-8

Scientific subjects:

• Mathematics- primary mathematics (JKF) 1-8
• Science- primary science (KLB) 1-8

Arts and humanities:

• Social studies- our lives today (OUP) 1-8
• Christian Religious Education- primary CRE (Phoenix publishers Ltd) 1-8

Life skills:

• Guidance and Counseling/HIV/AIDS Education - responsible living (JKF)
• Mentor life skills (KLB)
• Success life skills (EAEP)

Other needs:

• Supplementary reading books in both English and Kiswahili.
• Dictionaries in English and Kamusi (Kiswahili).
• Geography related materials - wall maps and charts.

Project Outline (in Phases)

Phase 1 (complete): The local community coupled with well-wishers' contributions managed to put up 7 temporary classes, a school store, Head Teachers office, kitchen and a latrine. The structures are made of local materials.

Phase 2 (ongoing): Equipping the school with books, desks and uniforms can be the priority. 

Phase 3 (yet to commence): Upgrade the existing temporary structures to permanent ones. (See architectural impression of the school here:   http://lemukolwords.blogspot.com/2015/01/needed-stand-with-this-school-to-make.html)   

On behalf of Kootoro school community, we would like to thank all those who took part – materially or otherwise – in the achievement of the first phase. We highly value your efforts.

To support Kootoro Mixed Primary School, wellwishers' are adviced to contact the school's Head Teacher via his Cell phone: +254719246277 or send an email to    info@kootoroschool.com. 

We bank on your support to put a smile on the face of Kootoro Children. Be blessed.

By Lemukol Ng'asike, Mumbi Kaptere and Lotiki Thomas.