A New Kitchen and Water Retention Tank for IlTolish School in Kenya
October 25, 2019 by Susan Schmitz
Exactly one year ago today, our co-founder April Howland put together a hugely successful fundraising event for her Howland Studios Kitchen Project. An auction of art created by April and several other local artists was emceed by Jill Kimmel and supported by an audience of generous donors. Over $40,000 was raised to aide in the funding of the development of two kitchens in primary schools in underdeveloped areas of South Africa and Kenya by the Africa Foundation. Read all about it here.
This was their kitchen.
During my trip to Kenya back in February of this year, I had the honor of visiting one of the schools that benefitted from this fundraiser, Il Tolish Primary School in a remote area of Kenya, Africa. At the time that I was there, the construction on the new kitchen had not started yet. There was only a small corrugated steel shack with little ventilation where a cook stood over a wood-burning fire pit, breathing in toxic smoke that permeated the air.
This is where they ate lunch.
There was no place for the children to eat their meals. They all sat outdoors on the ground or crowded on the few benches that were available, with no shelter from the elements.
Africa Foundation had already completed several greatly needed improvements such as a block of classrooms, restrooms and a dormitory for the boys. The girls dorm had not been built yet so they were all sleeping in a classroom equipped with a few bunk beds. There were not enough beds for all of them so some had to sleep on mats placed on the floor.
I was moved by efforts that were being made by the Africa Foundation and inspired to do my own part to help out. So, upon returning, I put together a Go Fund Me campaign to help raise money for a rain water retention tank for the girls dorm that was soon to be built. Rain is the only source of water that they have there and it doesn’t come often so they need to hold on to as much of it as possible. Thanks to many generous donors, our goal was met in less than a week!
Upon my return to the school on a trip back there earlier this month, I was amazed to see all of the progress made in just over 7 months. The kitchen, dining hall and the girls dorm were all completed! The kids were just thrilled and very appreciative!
Here they are welcoming us as we arrived along with a tour of the kitchen guided by Simon from the Africa Foundation:
Here is a video walkthrough of the new girls dormitory:
And here is the new rain water retention tank for the girls dorm. This additional will help the girls of the school with their laundry and personal hygiene needs.
Many thanks to all of those that donated towards these improvements! You have made a big difference in the lives of many children.
philARTripy
/fəˈl•ärt•trip•ē/
The desire to travel with the purpose of creating art designed to raise awareness of and support for humanitarian and conservation efforts globally.
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Join us next September 19 as we visit this village again with the Africa Foundation during our trip to witness the great migration, the greatest wildlife show on earth.