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Our Work... |
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We
do not think Patrick and his classmates should
have to learn in a |
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hot,
dusty and dirty classroom. We do not think they
should be forced |
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to squeeze themselves onto a rotten, broken
desk. We do not think |
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they should have to be subjected to using
rancid pit latrines. And nor |
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do
we think they leave school without being able to
read or write. |
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We
do think that
can change. |
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We
know we can be
behind that
change. Why? |
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Because
we already
are... |
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How
do we and will we make that change a reality? |
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In
line with our
strategic objectives
we do - and will - focus on a |
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number
of key areas: |
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Infrastructure development |
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Resource provision |
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Human resource development |
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Ensuring development and
sustainability |
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Infrastructure Development: |
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Our
vision is for the infrastructure of 'our'
schools to be on a par or |
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even
surpass that of the very top rural public
primary schools. To |
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realise
that ambition we are focusing immediately on a
number of key |
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objectives
including: |
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building and/or renovating classrooms to
include cooling
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ceilings, durable stone floors, rain and wind
blocking glass windows; |
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ensuring each school has a spacious, fully
furnished library; |
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constructing dedicated office and staffrooms; |
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constructing halls for use as a dining
room, assembly and exam |
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hall, and for the wider
community; |
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We are also investing in innovate projects
designed to improve |
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sanitation,
water provision and levels of nutrition amongst
pupils; to |
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ensure the schools become more
self-reliant; and to reduce the |
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schools' impact on the environment. |
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Our innovative projects: |
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Now: |
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modern sanitation facilities -
hygienic, mobile systems which |
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allow for urine to be collected
for use as a safe and economical |
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fertiliser -
find out more... |
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rainwater harvesting capabilities -
allow the schools to harvest |
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and store precious rainwater -
find out more... |
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The Future? |
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biogas energy systems
- to provide clean energy for cooking |
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and lighting, and efficient manure for
use on school cropland; |
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irrigation
systems
- to divert collected rainwater to school crop |
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land |
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Resource Provision: |
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We
realise that ensuring a better education is more
than just about |
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modernising infrastructure. We want to create
learning environments |
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where
children can discover and nurture skills and
talents, and where |
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they
are empowered by educational opportunities. So,
as we grow, |
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we will begin to provide physical learning
resources and equipment |
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designed to enhance the delivery of education. |
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stocking the libraries with story books
for children of all ages; |
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classroom furniture - including tables,
chairs and bookcases; |
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teaching aids - including wall charts and
diagrams, educational |
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games, educational materials
and basic science
equipment; |
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creative materials such as paints, manila paper,
crayons; |
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playgrounds and general 'play' equipment; |
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sports kit and equipment. |
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Further down the line we also aim to provide: |
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modern technologies - computers and internet
access |
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Human Resource Development: |
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Ensuring development and sustainability |
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We don't want our efforts to be wasted
because the schools cannot |
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afford maintenance and repair costs.
Additionally we recognise, in |
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hindsight, that there are things we could
have done better first time |
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around.* |
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Whilst looking for ways for the schools to
become more self sustain- |
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able we do - and will continue to - fund
the upkeep and development |
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of
projects. |
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We are about to
return to Jora, scene of
our very first project, to |
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give the library a ceiling, to repaint the
office block (the first stuff |
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never dried properly!) and to varnish
frames and doors. We will also |
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remodel the existing library furniture to
make it smaller and brighter |
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(the bookcases are too tall for the
teacher to be able to see the entire |
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class). |
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* Not that much better mind - we're pretty
good at what we do! |
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