Update from Kenya (August 2025)

James has gone to the USA to visit his family who live there. This month we speak to William, who is vice chairman of the Trustees in Kenya.

William had been a Principal of a High School before becoming a Director of Teaching Management and is now retired. He gives us a unique insight into the state of the education system in Kenya, which is going through a number of changes as a result of ongoing developments in government policy.

The trustees and the site manager continue to visit the children with their Guardian Families and taking clothing and 'personal effects'. We will receive a report on their wellbeing later this month.

In a change in policy, the government is cutting the Capitation to schools in this coming year, January 2025, from 22k Kenyan shillings to 16k, which will leave schools with no money for resources. It could also mean that shortfalls will have to be met by families. William felt that many families will not be able to make up this difference.

There now seems to be some turmoil in the education system, following changes in government policy.  Apparently, the previous government had made plans for Junior Secondary Schools to be attached to Secondary Schools for Grades 7,8,9, and had built the necessary facilities. This present government has decided to now attach Junior Secondary Schools to existing Primary Schools that in the main do not have the buildings to accommodate the additional students. Junior Secondary Schools are having a new curriculum but those who will be teaching it,  have not yet been trained and that it can take up to 6 to 8 years for Primary School Teachers to find employment within a State School and 3 to 4 years for a Secondary School Teacher  to be employed within a state School.

The Kenyan government is also making changes or wanting to make changes to the way University students are funded, but this is creating a lot of unrest.

It also seems that the government is questioning its own policy on the placing of children with Guardian Families rather than Orphanages!

We also learned that Joseph is going into hospital for more surgery to repair the broken pin in his leg.

For Prayer:

• Joseph's leg and the surgery he will undergo this month to repair the breakages.

• Pray for the children who are off school this month and at home with their guardian families.

• Pray for the Guardians who have been given the responsibility to look after an orphaned child.

• Pray that the changes in the education system can be satisfactorily implemented to the benefit of teachers, families and children.

• For James as he visits his family in the USA, that he finds everyone well and that he has a relaxing time and safe journey.