Lirhanda School Project - Marie Hammond (Kenya)

Project Goal: $17,200

Current Progress: $2,720 (16.00%)

Lirhanda Friends Secondary School is located in the hill country of western Kenya, about 2 km from the nearest market town and 8 km from the city of Kakamega. Our students walk to school, some an hour each way, on unpaved, muddy or dusty roads. Many live with single parents or grandparents who struggle to pay school fees and to buy uniforms and required school supplies. Owning books is an unattainable luxury for these families.

With under 300 students and just 10 teachers, Lirhanda Friends is a small school, although the adjoining primary/junior secondary school doubles the student population. On school days students from both schools will have library privileges. On weekends and holidays, the entire community will be invited to use the library. We will soon begin recruiting students to serve on the library committee, to help build bookshelves, and to assist with cataloging and shelving books. These students will be chosen from among those who have difficulty paying school fees, and they will be compensated for their work through financial assistance.

The current school library houses only textbooks. Having access to good literature as well as children’s books, nonfiction, and reference materials will allow readers to pursue their own interests and discover a new world of ideas. English is a required subject in Kenyan schools, and reading will also improve their language skills. Above all, we hope that developing a reading culture in the community will improve the quality of life for students and residents of our village.

Contact: Marie Hammond - marie.katz.hammond@gmail.com