Update from BHW Kenya Partnership Facilitator

Unfortunately due to a number of complex factors surrounding The African Powerhouse the school part of this partnership has come to a close. 

Recent Events

Government Regulations

In 2020 the Kenyan government had put in new rules stating that all junior schools needed to go up to year nine. For The African Powerhouse who only went to year eight this meant the addition of a new classroom. Robert had submitted a request for funding for a new building. Historically we had advised Robert that it was not wise to continue to increase the size of the school as they did not have the space nor the ability to support themselves financially. Bright Hope World also have a policy of not funding buildings. The request for funding the classroom build was not accepted.  

COVID-19

The other major factor in 2020 was the global pandemic COVID-19. The pandemic hit Kenya and particularly their schools very hard. The pandemic saw more new rules put in place by the government for the schools to follow. These included spacing the children out for social distancing, purchasing PPE gear and sanitisers, and the upgrade of the toilets. 

Personal 

Personal factors for Robert have also not been easy. During the initial COVID lockdown Robert had been visiting his wife and children in Rwanda where his wife had been working as a teacher. Robert and his family became stuck in Rwanda with restricted movement in and out of the country. Dorcus, Robert's wife, had also taken out a loan in Rwanda for the build of their home in Kenya. This meant they were not able to travel out of Rwanda until it was paid. Dorcus also lost her job teaching at an international school and they therefore had no income. Due to this they lost their rental and had to reside with friends. With help from Bright Hope World and a private donor they were able to return home to Kenya. They had their home but no other assets and were having to start from scratch. Dorcus has been unable to find work teaching in Kenya and has had to live with her sister in Nairobi with her children and sell chapatis. There is not enough room for Robert to stay as it is a small home so they have been separated again. 

Theft

On the 5th February 2021 the school guard was abducted and taken into the forest. The criminals then stole the iron sheets from the roof of the school, some tables and exercise books from the school.  

Current Concerns

The big concern here is Robert's current wellbeing and his ongoing dependence on Bright Hope World with no evidence of the school’s ability to become self-sustaining. 

We feel Robert is currently needing to focus on his own wellbeing and that of his family. The project will be put on hold while the school remains closed due to government restrictions. This will impact the lives of the 200 students who now have no place to attend school however we hope that Robert having space now to restore will mean he can come back stronger.  

Prayer and Praise Points

1) We praise God for Robert and his heart for his community. We thank God for the lives the school has been able to impact and for the employment it was able to provide for its staff.

2) We pray that those involved will be able to come together with wisdom to find a way to get the school up and running again. We pray for the children who have lost their school, that opportunities will come for them to get back into education. We pray the government will see this need and their hearts will be changed.

3) Prayer is needed for Robert and his family. We pray for provision, that God would bless the work Dorcus is doing and that Robert would find employment too. We pray for wisdom, strength and guidance for Robert as he takes his next steps.

Comments

No further funds will be sent to The African Powerhouse for the school. We will however continue to partner with them in regard to their ministry among street women (football team and soap making).