Now that the new schoolhouse is occupied and the school year is in full swing, our mission is to properly outfit the classrooms. When we were first introduced to Life Spring Academy, just over 60-children were attending the school. Now, with the expanded space and high demand from the surrounding area, there are over 120-children now attending! Currently, the school only has a few wooden benches and some small blackboards to work with, leaving many children sitting on the floor and without adequate materials, such as pencil and paper or other learning aids.

The following is Write Around the World’s wish list for Life Spring Academy:

• To properly furnish the new schoolhouse we need $2200
• Monthly operating expense is now $1275/month. Below is a breakdown of expenses:

The monthly estimates for operating of the school (in US dollars):

1) Food costs $ 200.00

2) Teachers’ wages, five teachers @ $ 100.00 each

3) Electricity bill $40.00

4) Bus driver wage $ 50.00

5) Gas (Petrol) $ 200.00

6) Watchmen, two @ $ 50.00 each

7) Cooks, two @ $50.00 each

8) Water bill $ 25.00

10) Cleaner two at $ 30.00 each

Currently, locally raised funds go towards feeding the children. In order to feed them all, cheaper less-nutritious food is purchased in order to make sure everybody gets something. The teachers and staff are currently going unpaid. We would like to reverse this trend and outfit and maintain a success school. If you would like to help, please contact us.

I was sent the above photo of the community of Nangili celebrating the new Life Spring Academy three days before Christmas. Needless to say it has made my holiday season.

The good news is, of course, the school will be done in time for the January 3^rd start of the new school session. The not-so-good news is that the school is empty. We have yet to payoff all the construction costs for the school, but we are close. Now, we are scrambling to find funding to furnish the school while also accommodating all the children that had been on the waiting list to attend.

Previously, there was a waiting list of children who could not fit into the old school building, but they will now be able to attend one of the new school’s three classrooms – with the result that the previous enrollment of 63 children will expand to an estimated 90.

Write Around the World’s estimates for furnishings and supplies are as follows:

• Locally made wooden desks and benches for 30 children per classroom will cost $300 per classroom, for a total of $900.
• A large blackboard will cost $60 per classroom, for a total of $180.
• Basic school supplies for one year and uniforms will cost $10 per student, for a total of $900.
• Educational props and toys (puzzles, blocks, and wall charts) will cost $40 for each classroom, for a total of $120.
• Rubber playmats for the concrete floors will cost $30 per classroom, for a total of $90.

Thus, the total estimated cost to furnish and supply the new school is $2190.

I have reached out to different foundations and grants asking for funding and recently contacted BMW of America for some assistance. Our fingers are crossed.

Local residents will be asked to build basic shelving and to assist in furnishing the teachers’ office. Supplies will be purchased locally, or trucked in from the closest major city.

All-in-all, these are good problems to have. We will find a way and 2013 will surely be a new beginning for many children in a small village in Kenya.

-Mike