In the last few weeks the security situation around the school has deteriorated rapidly.
It is nearly two years ago that conflict first broke out in this previously calm area. At that time all of those living to the north of the school fled their homes. The school became a shelter during times of fighting, hosting women and children at night and providing a base for many families who moved close to the school for security. Others took their families to stay with relatives in other areas.
Over the last year security has been improving, many families had started to move back to the area and children, who had been out of school, had started to return.
Sadly in the last two weeks the violence in Laikipia (the school is on the border between Isiolo and Laikipia counties) has spilled over into our area and the surrounding community. The school itself has not been attacked but livestock has been raided from the community and tragically several members of the community have lost their lives. The school is once again on the front line of conflict, we are the last buildings before no-mans-land, with those families who remain moving behind the school where they hope they will be safer.
Once again many families again feel that it is not safe to stay in their homes and the school has become a refuge. Some have fled to other areas to stay with relatives, others spend the nights in the bush for fear of attacks on their homes at night.
The school remains open for the security it offers and to give the children a place to escape from the stress and fear they live with daily now at home. We continue to run as normal a day as possible but allowances must be made. Many of the children are getting very little sleep at night and they are suffering from stress. We give them plenty of time to talk about what is happening in their lives and have many art and sports sessions to help relive the tensions.