I visited the school on my first trip in 2005. On my second trip in 2006 my Rotary team donated cash so the school could build an additional classroom, as they were teaching the upper juniors under the trees, because they had run out of classroom space. I later undertook a fundraising event in the UK, to fund the completion of the classroom and was impressed with the outcome on my visit in 2007. It was at that point that I committed to help them develop the school. Since then, we have funded an additional 8 classrooms, 2 toilet blocks, staff toilets, several refurbishment projects and created a 40 x 15 metre playground.
On my trip last November, the roof of the 6-classroom block, completed in 2009, was in a very poor state of repair and several of the classroom ceilings had totally collapsed due to the ingress of water, but at the time I was not financially able to solve their problem. In August I sent funds for the total replacement of the galvanised roof and all the ceilings. The roof had lasted 15 years and the replacement cost just over £3,000.
I have just received, via e-mail, a thank you from the community:
“We are extremely pleased to inform you that we have completed the entire work of the roofing and your timely intervention enabled us to complete the work for the start of the new term. All the pupils are now attending school under a safe roof and ceilings and are totally safe and are sitting comfortably to acquire their education. No words can describe how grateful we are to you and your helpers, as you have brightened the future of our present and future generations. Thank you for making our community a better place, you are the true father of our community, we are forever grateful to you and your helpers.”
Westminster Community Secondary School
The fourth classroom was completed ready for the start of the new term in September.
This is the 45th classroom that we have funded at six different schools since 2007.
All the building work is done by local guys and the furniture was made by local carpenters
The block shows all four classrooms plus a staff room office and store.
I am looking at the possibility, and potential costs, of building a small staff hostel as five of the teachers have to travel long distances to the school which takes a lot of their wages. Each would have a bedroom. There would be a communal area plus a washroom & toilets
