After the attack that left the school in ruins, the teachers have no facilities or materials to work with. Sadly all that is left is rubble, burnt wood and scraps of rubbish. Olng’arua teachers aren’t the kind to sit and mope however. Burnt wood is charcoal right? And amongst the scraps of rubbish are all …
Adults, with violence, prejudice and greed, destroyed their school. Despite the widespread fear after the event the children were the first to creep back, to see what had happened to their school. To these kids ‘their school‘ is a term that means so much more than just the place they get an education. For them …
There are no classrooms, there is no kitchen, there is no water…… but apparently the kids don’t care. They kept coming to the school anyway while the staff were clearing up, so Maryanne (Olng’arua School’s wonderful cook) thought she would start making them lunch. Then the teachers thought that they could be doing a few …
More journalists from various press and television outlets have been visiting the school. The continued media attention about the attack highlight just how shocking these events are, even in a country as troubled as Kenya is right now. Attacking the weakest and most vulnerable in society is regarded as deeply immoral and unacceptable. Who takes …
Our intention is to start offering school meals again as soon as possible but there are sharp shards of metal and glass littered all around the school, all must be found and removed to make it safe for the children to return, even just for meals. We also need to clear all the destroyed remains …
The white Toyota Hilux, easily recognizable to everybody locally, as the Olng’arua School car. It was the link between the school and the outside world. For 12 years it brought food, books, learning material and staff to the school each week. It took sick people to hospital at any hour of the day or night, …
The attack on the school was reported by several Kenyan news stations. Here are two of them via YouTube: Citizen News K24TV
Last Friday (5th of May) a gang of armed men attacked the school. No one was killed. Everybody who was there that day managed to escape and there were only minor injuries. However, the school was badly damaged. Thankfully this was a holiday week for the primary children, so the school was not full of …
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Olng’arua Photo Journal
Carrying the Food
The school lost its vehicle and all its buildings. So every morning Maryanne has to carry to the school all the food she plans to cook that day. Her home is an hours walk away.
Helpful Kids
The kids miss their school. Many of them have been coming every day that they see staff members there, and getting involved in the clean up.
Broken Glass and Metal Shards
Charred remains of the two burnt cars, leaving glass and shards of metal all over the ground, which is a disaster for bare little feet.
Getting things going again..
Women from the community and school staff meeting at the school. Everybody want
When will the school be open again?
The kids waiting outside one of the burnt classrooms are all asking the same questions. I like that they don’t seem to doubt that it will. Now all we have to do is live up to the trust they put in us.
Pointless Destruction
All those glorious books gone! Each classroom was packed with beautiful books. Carefully chosen and sent from all over the world, for the joy and education of our children here. Such a self-defeating waste.
The world comes to Olng’arua
We got to see the camels of Mongolia and find out about cold deserts. The television is bringing the world to us.
We’re playing rounders, so it must be Monday!
Another covid safe outdoor classroom
Smiling beneath the mask
The line for breakfast is even longer this term.
We have had an influx of new children this year, which is great news, but it does mean the breakfast line takes a bit longer than it used to.
Distanced Learning
Helping in the Kitchen
Lunch Break
Taking lunch break under a tree to keep covid at bay.