The Nafula Foundation in Western Kenya

why it's important:

As the Co-founder of The Nafula Foundation, I have lived in Chebukwa, Kenya for a total of one year, working in the community on various humanitarian projects with money that I raised.

That said, I wasn’t aware of the critical situation occurring at the Primary and Secondary school until I helped place two Nafula Foundation volunteers in the classrooms in the summer of 2010.

Gisele and Kelsey worked in both the special needs and general classrooms, teaching courses, providing tutoring and occasionally buying supplies for the students. After leaving Chebukwa, both Gisele and Kelsey were determined to help the students of Chebukwa Primary and Secondary receive a better, more holistic education.

The Nafula Foundation listened to their suggestions and decided to make access to proper education a main focus for our organization for the next two years.

Besides providing aid with construction and repair of classrooms, shipping of new books, and new uniforms for needy students, The Nafula Foundation also wishes to provide additional training to the teachers of Chebukwa Primary and Secondary on various issues related to education and teaching.

Both students and teachers are hungry to learn more about education, and we intend on providing that.

the plan of action:

In the summer of 2010, The Nafula Foundation brought eight international volunteers to Kenya to work on a clean water project. Two of those students, Gisele and Kelsey, also worked at the Chebukwa Primary School teaching courses to general and special needs classroom students.

Kelsey and Gisele were very shocked by the lack of resources at the schools - the crumbling walls, leaking roofs, dirt floors, lack of materials or books for the students, and a complete disregard for the special needs students. So together, they began compiling a needs assessment for the two schools. The following assessment is based both on the requests of students and teachers, as well as the perspectives of Kelsey and Gisele.

Goal #1
Build a New Classroom for Children with Special Needs, Chebukwa Primary

Create a welcoming classroom environment that inspires, engages, and fosters the needs of special students.

Building the importance and worth of the special needs students will encourage empathy and understanding among the other students as well as the community at large.

The scope of this project would include:
-Rebuilding the existing classroom including a new cement floor, new desks,
window shutters, and storage shelves
-Purchasing supplies that are appropriate and will fully engage the special needs
students
-Addressing the individual needs of the students as determined by the family and
special needs teacher
-Providing the tools and supplies to teach basic life skills such as cleaning, cooking, sewing, and basic construction.

Goal #2
Overall Improvement of Chebukwa Primary Classrooms

Create proper classrooms that will provide a learning environment that encourages students and staff to strive for the best education.

This project would include:
-Cementing floors in all classrooms
-Building new desks for grades 5-8
-Rejuvenating and reworking existing desks for nursery through grade 4
-Building shelves and storage for books and supplies
-Building shutters on the windows of each classroom to protect the floors, desks,
and bookshelves

The first two goals would be accomplished by volunteers and would also utilize the skills and knowledge of community members. The projects would also include teaching the students hands on carpentry skills through student involvement. Working on the projects would instill pride and satisfaction in both the students and community.

how you can get involved:

The Nafula Foundation currently accepts international volunteers to help with projects on-the-ground in Kenya. Volunteers are encouraged to work in Chebukwa Primary and Secondary Schools as assistant teachers.

We also seek volunteers to help with fundraising initiatives and planning of projects.

videos: