Friday, 27 March 2009
On Monday, the 23rd of March, 2009, Graham Kinch and Ian Taylor officially opened the Mount Everest Primary School in Kitandwe, Uganda. Graham and Ian climbed Mt. Everest in the Spring of 2008 to raise money for the Kitandwe School Project in partnership with Fields of Life. This concluded a three-year project in which they climbed Mt. Blanc, Kilimanjaro, Cerro Aconcagua, and Mt. Everest. In the last year, thanks to huge support, they have raised €60,000 for the school.
The school consists of two blocks totalling seven classrooms and an office, toilet facilities and a bore-hole pump supplying water to over 600 villagers. The school will also double-up as a multi-purpose community building. An appropriate support structure of a Board of Management, trained teachers, a Principal, a PTA, and official curricula, etc., is already in place. This support structure will ensure this investment will be fully and effectively utilised. The school has first to sixth classes in session (about 250 pupils), and next year they will start a seventh class.
As with most forms of integrated development aid, a two-pronged approach is planned. The fundraising has successfully provided the required capital to build the school. Now child sponsorship is required to keep the school running.
Sponsoring a child through Fields of Life is a one-by-one and a one-to-one approach to helping a child. Child sponsors play a significant role in assisting a child to fulfil his or her potential, but also support their family and community as well. Sponsored children receive school books, stationary, uniforms, school fees as well as a present at Christmas time that benefits the whole family e.g. a kerosene lamp. Child sponsorship costs just €18 per month and sponsors receive letters from the child periodically as well as updated photos. Fields of Life will send the funds directly (via the Child Co-ordinator in Kampala) to Mt Everest Primary School.
"When we were in Kitandwe, Ian and I had the great pleasure of meeting our sponsored children," said Kinch. "It's really encouraging to see them so excited and passionate about their education and we feel the name of the school captures their enthusiastic aspirations perfectly. The Fields of Life Child Sponsorship Coordinator in Kampala has identified 20 children, many of them orphans that are in need of sponsorship. Our aim is to have sponsors for all 20 of them by the end of April." You can make a difference in an African child's life for just €18 per month.
If you are interested in reading more about the Mt Everest Primary School, Kitandwe Child Sponsorship Programme, and viewing more photos from Graham and Ian's recent visit, click on our Education section or e-mail info@everest2008.ie. Please make sure you include "Mt. Everest Primary School Child Sponsorship Programme," in the subject field. If you wish to donate now, please ensure that the name of the school appears in the Program field.
"We would like to acknowledge the huge support we have received for this project over the last 18 months," said Taylor, "and offer our sincere thanks for the continued support for this inspiring initiative."