Njoro
Njoro is a small town near Nakuru, about 5 hours' drive northwest from Nairobi, well known for its flamingo frequented lake and other opportunities for game viewing.
Our partner project there is the MCK Wesley Empowerment Centre. This project began life as a small nursery school serving the needs of children of families displaced by riots in 2010. Although it began in a small way, the management committee’s long held ambition to build a primary school on the same site began to take shape in 2018. Classrooms for grades one to three have so far been built.
The children are supported by a wonderful social worker, in Esther and there is an excellent management committee chaired by Henry. It is also pleasing to see a Njoro alumni, Zilpa, play an active part in the project management committee.
This project is also furthest forward on the journey towards self-sufficiency, the shared ambition of Henry and Karibuni trustees from day 1. This journey has been aided by support from Karibuni over and above sponsorship of children from the poorest households. In 2005, with generous funds provided by Shortcross Methodist Church in the UK, a bore hole was sunk to provide access to regular clean water. The sale of this water to adjoining schools and local population has generated a reliable income stream, allowing this local community project to make a substantial contribution to ongoing project costs.
Income is also received from the rent of small wooden houses erected on part of the site with support from Karibuni. Progress on this self-sufficiency journey is illustrated by the Board’s proposal to move from a 70/30 cost share in 2022 to 60/40 in 2023.
