Margaret Okari Children’s Foundation
Margaret Okari Children’s Foundation
On November 16th, 2008 the Foundation started construction of the new AIDS orphans primary boarding school. Phase I was completed a very-short 10 weeks later. This video documents Phase I of the building project which includes two dorms for fifty-five children, two shower and bath buildings and a kitchen and dining hall. Fifty-Seven children began attending school in the new facilities on Monday January 19th, 2009.
Phase I School Construction - November 2008
The five acres (“Parcel of Promise”) donated to MOCF by the Gucha District Council is located in Gotichaki, which is 12 miles from Kisii Town. The donated tract of land was previously unimproved, government owned land. It is relatively flat but sits atop an expansive and gently descending hill from which a view of the adjacent hills of meticulously tended small farms can be seen. The land is rectangular in shape and until November 2008 was covered with the native grass that is used for constructing the thatched roofs of the traditional homes. There was also is a small grove of eucalyptus trees in one corner that did cover less than 10% of the total area.
The new AIDS orphans boarding school, when completed, will provide a well-rounded educational curriculum emphasizing vocational, business and interpersonal lifestyle skills in addition to academic subjects. The school campus will include dormitories, classrooms, kitchen and dining facilities, a library, a chapel, staff offices and quadplex for staff and visitors.
MOCF is partnering with the local community to operate a vocational trade school. Some students will need this training if they do not score high enough in their 8th grade exams. The Kenyan educational system requires 8th grade students to take a test to determine if they are able to enter secondary school. If the student fails this 8th grade test they are not allowed to attend high school. MOCF understands that not every student is academically inclined, therefore they will need to be taught a vocation or trade.
Additionally, the completed school will serve as a community center of learning by conducting community based education, health and leadership classes for the two surrounding villages of Gotichaki and Tabaka.
200 Orphan Primary Boarding School Plan