Nursery and Primary Schools
The Vanessa Grant Trust has supported nursery and primary school development projects for 8 schools in the Rongai community and surrounding area since 2003.
St Michael’s Nursery School
St Michael’s Nursery School has helped many families in the Rongai community give their children a strong start to learning, often encouraging parents to be involved with early literacy programs with their children.
St Michael’s Nursery School was originally a small tin hut facility on rented land on the outskirts of Rongai. In a project initiated by Lauren Sundercombe (VGT Trustee) and Cornwall College, a small plot of land was purchased for the School and new buildings were established, with the School officially opened to 80 children in 2012. Subsequent fundraising enabled the building of a small kitchen and an extra classroom.
More recently, the wonderful support of UK company Fluid Branding has enabled the VGT to buy the adjacent plot of land to develop a playground, an important requirement for registration of the School with the Ministry of Education. The playground has been fully equipped and walled for security. Computers have been introduced into the learning program, as both a teaching tool and to build early competencies and skills.
This model nursery school now serves more than 150 children between four and six and has been run by Agnes Wangari since its inception.
Agnes Wangari – Founder, St Michael’s Nursery
“Our lives have changed a lot because we have a good school, good teachers and good protection. Our lives have changed a lot and we have changed lives too.”
Gogar Primary
Gogar Primary School is the local government primary school in the Rongai area. The ongoing development of the School’s facilities has been led by the VGT since 2003, with considerable new infrastructure added since that time.
Close ties were established with Cheltenham College in the UK and the College has provided significant fundraising support for over two decades. This transformation would not have been possible without the ongoing commitment of volunteers from Cheltenham College, Brambletye School in the UK and King’s Edgehill School in Nova Scotia, who have been invaluable to the refurbishment efforts and teaching program assistance.
The upgrade and enhancement of facilities has transformed eight rundown classrooms and added a further three, in addition to a computer learning room, an assembly hall and an Early Childhood Development (EDC) classroom. As part of the refurbishments, hundreds of new desks, storage units, books and computer supplies have been added. Other infrastructure developments have included the installation of tanks for rainwater harvesting and storage, water points, bathrooms and washing facilities, a kitchen, sports storage, and farm developments.
The computer room allows children to acquire invaluable IT skills that would not otherwise be available to them. The School utilises the facility to offer IT courses to the broader community, providing opportunities for community members to acquire technology skills, and serving as an additional source of revenue from class fees. The much-needed assembly hall is well utilised throughout the year, and it has become a preferred venue for staff conferences and training programs, bringing additional revenue to the School.
Early Childhood Development Centre
A new Early Childhood Development (EDC) classroom funded by Cheltenham College was completed at the end of 2023, furnished and opened in early 2024. Volunteers have provided the classroom with vibrant murals and decoration.
Enrolments have steadily grown from a student base of approximately 400 students in 2003, to the School now serving more than 900 students in 2024. VGT is working to secure funding for the next major development goal – the addition of a science laboratory – in 2025.
Tamara Nordman – Volunteer Teacher
“The children were amazing and they were a real joy to teach. So many confused and eager faces staring back at you, ready to learn! The teachers at both VGS and Gogar Primary gave me the warmest welcome and helped me whenever possible.”
Other Area Schools
As part of a new initiative in 2023, supported by UK donors, VGT has been able to extend support to other schools in the wider Rongai area. Initial projects have focused primarily the refurbishment and development of critical infrastructure, with a number of pilot projects underway to augment teaching facilities and establish computer skills.
Deloraine Nursery Schools
The original Deloraine Nursery School was established on the Deloraine Farm by Pamela Scott in the 1960s. Located on the southwestern edge of the Great Rift Valley near Rongai, there are now three small and very modest nursery schools serving the local community. These nursery schools have a combined enrolment of approximately 100 children with 4 teachers.
With the support of donors, one classroom severely damaged by weather has been rebuilt. Funding has also enabled water tanks and guttering to be erected beside each School to provide clean drinking water for the children. Support for teacher training commenced in 2023, with books and other basic resources provided to enhance the learning environment. Fundraising is ongoing to develop a kitchen and covered dining area for these Schools.
Leldet Primary School
The Leldet Primary School is a government-run public school in the Rongai area that serves over 525 students. The most critical need to be addressed initially at this School was the complete refurbishment of the long drop latrines for the girls. The work on this project was completed at the end of 2023.
Following a successful pilot IT project at the School, VGT has supported the refurbishment of a disused classroom for use as a computer room and temporary science room. The room has been furnished and computers, software and training have been generously donated by Fluid Branding UK. Additional security has been added to protect these new resources.
Kware Kapkwen Primary School
Kware Kapkwen Primary is a small government school close to the VGGS. A successful pilot project with donated computers has expanded with the School connecting power to a classroom repurposed as a new computer room and fitting with equipment tables. Additional computers will be installed progressively.
Watch the first computer lesson at Kware Kapkwen Primary School by clicking on the image on the right.
Gicheha Primary School
The Gicheha Primary School is situated about 5km outside Rongai. VGT has provided support to the School to properly fence and gate the property, providing a secure enclosure for the School compound, and protecting the school community from the unwanted entry of livestock and non-school individuals.
