Kanyala Little Stars
RUsinga Island, Kenya
CanAssist is sad to announce that Mama Benter Odhihambo, founder and director of the Kanyala Little Stars Academy passed away suddenly on July 2, 2013. We send our condolences to her family and friends and the Rusinga Island community who will miss her guidance and wisdom.
This is a registered Kenyan NGO that includes a women's group and a primary school facility which has 200 students from nursery age to class eight. The school serves the local community with small fees being paid to support it by the parents and families of the students who attend. These fees help support the cost of educating the 38 students in all levels who have no means of support (orphans and vulnerable children).
The school is registered with the ministry of Education and follows the prescribed curriculum for primary education. In addition to education, the group attempts to help with medical supervision and nutrition for the disadvantaged children who attend.
In 2009, the Kanyala Little Stars Group submitted an application to CanAssist for building a fence around the property (chain link) and for a water tank and pump to bring water from Lake Victoria to the field for irrigation. Thanks to helpful advice from Canadian Engineer, Andrew Forsyth, this project has unfolded nicely and the improvements are helping the group to be more self-sustaining both in terms of food for the children and some income to support the school/orphan facility.
The school is registered with the ministry of Education and follows the prescribed curriculum for primary education. In addition to education, the group attempts to help with medical supervision and nutrition for the disadvantaged children who attend.
In 2009, the Kanyala Little Stars Group submitted an application to CanAssist for building a fence around the property (chain link) and for a water tank and pump to bring water from Lake Victoria to the field for irrigation. Thanks to helpful advice from Canadian Engineer, Andrew Forsyth, this project has unfolded nicely and the improvements are helping the group to be more self-sustaining both in terms of food for the children and some income to support the school/orphan facility.
The School has continued to grow, year by year. Their students have excelled academically in the standard Kenyan exams. Mama Benta concludes that good nutrition and academic achievement go together.
In 2014, CanAssist will fund renovations to the older temporary classrooms at Little Stars Academy to make them both safer and more sustainable.
The women of St Mark's Church in Barriefield Ontario have given Little Stars a donation to help in purchase of sanitary pads for the young women at the school. Girls in Africa often miss school during thier menses as they have no means of sanitation. CanAssist also received a specific donation to construct a girls' washroom at the school. The young women at Little Stars are grateful for both of these generous gifts.
In 2014, CanAssist will fund renovations to the older temporary classrooms at Little Stars Academy to make them both safer and more sustainable.
The women of St Mark's Church in Barriefield Ontario have given Little Stars a donation to help in purchase of sanitary pads for the young women at the school. Girls in Africa often miss school during thier menses as they have no means of sanitation. CanAssist also received a specific donation to construct a girls' washroom at the school. The young women at Little Stars are grateful for both of these generous gifts.