Have you ever wanted to give something back to the world - but then wondered if you could ever really make a difference?
NSI employee Heather Sullivan has proven it’s possible for one or two people to make a significant difference, even in the most remote communities.
With only her love of education and a few essentials, Heather and fellow volunteer Sue Fraser ventured to the other side of the globe to a small community called Mukuro in Western Kenya.
A teacher and Traineeship Coordinator at NSI’s Meadowbank and Northern Beaches College, Heather spent two weeks in the remote village of Mukuro, assisting school children at the newly established Mama Paulina School of Hope.
Mama Paulina School of Hope was established two years ago by local man and founder Joseph Oloo in an effort to provide quality education to the children and orphans in the village.
Many of the children are malnourished, and a school feeding program was also introduced to help provide them with food and energy for the day.
During Heather and Sue’s visit, they assisted with running sports days at the school, conducted a reading program and provided the children with books, pencils and educational resources.
In addition, Heather and Sue also helped serve porridge to the students twice a day and had several meetings with the children’s extended families.
Heather spent two weeks in the village, living in a mud hut with the family, and no running water or electricity.
“You go across wondering if you will be able to make any real difference in the community, but you come away realising that you certainly can,” said Heather.
Our goal now is to assist financially in finishing the School to a standard that is required by the Kenyan Government for registration which will include supply and installation of guttering, rain water tanks, flooring, security doors, fencing, desks and chairs.
Our long-term goal is to facilitate sponsorship for those children who are orphaned or disadvantaged. This will become a possibility once the school has been registered. We plan to raise further funds for resources to assist teachers at the School.
“The thing that stood out most for me is how happy these children are, and they have so very little.”
“It was a great experience and very uplifting.”
With the help of volunteers, the school has grown from 30 – 105 children in only two years.
The school now has three classes: the nursery for younger children, kindergarten (called ‘pre unit’) and Class 1.
Heather said the school was a great initiative, one that would help provide change within the community.
“The people in the community place a huge emphasis on education and value learning so much,” she explained.
“If the children are able to get an education, then that helps build a stronger community,” said Heather.
“For some of the children, it takes two or three hours to get to school but they don’t mind, it’s just so important to them that they are given that opportunity.”