Introduction

Following the announcement of the results of the Kenya General Election on 30th December 2007, sporadic violence erupted countrywide between various communities resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, and destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people.

This escalated over the following days, concentrated in the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Nyanza, Coast, Central and Western provinces.

It is estimated that around 1,500 people lost their lives, with a number of particularly deadly arson attacks on churches.

The Photo on the left shows the makeshift shelters that were used after the violence by the Internally Displaced People.

Africa Online's Corporate Social Initiative Programme

On 18th April 2008, Africa Online supported the appeal to rebuild three schools that were vandalized as part of its Corporate Social Initiative Programme. The three schools were Ng'arua Primary School in North Rift, Eldoret, Toi Primary School in Nairobi and Noigam Primary School in Kitale.

Assessments were done immediately and discussions held with the respective head teachers for the three schools towards the support.

Toi Primary School

Toi Primary School, located in the slum areas of Kibera in Nairobi, was the first school identified for Africa Online's support. The school fence, food store and books were vandalized during the violence being in the centre of the slum area.

At the time of receiving the funds, the fencing of the school had been undertaken by a different donor, as well as the books and the food. The only tangible area that was a gap was the equipping of the staff room which Africa Online settled to support with the funding after getting approval from the donor as the funding was expected to benefit the students directly.

The support was directed to procurement of desks for the class 8B pupils. Foam desks with a capacity to sit a total of 69 pupils were purchased. The donation was officially handed over to the school on 5th October 2008 in a handover ceremony officiated by the late CEO of Africa Online Holdings Mr. John Joseph, members of the Kenya Red Cross, the school committee and pupils.

Impact on Completion of the Project

The donation increased the sitting capacity of the class. In addition to sitting capacity, information from the class teacher confirms that there is great improvement in the pupils handwriting as a result of writing on desks as opposed to writing on their knees which was the case before. The pupils also have space to store their bags and books.

The school envisages better performance as a result of a more friendly and conducive learning environment this year for the candidates.

Ng'arua Primary School

The above school was identified in July 2008. It was vandalized during the post election violence and the roofing including the wall structures of all the classrooms were extensively damaged. By the time Africa Online came in to assist, the children were schooling under tents.

With the support of their District Commissioner, assessment was done in the school including the Architectural Drawings and Designs, and the Project commenced immediately in August 2008 upon approval from Africa Online Management, following decline of the first school that had been identified for support. The project was completed in December 2008.

The construction involved 3 blocks which included the Administration Block, Upper Primary Block of class 4‐8 and the Lower Primary Block consisting of class 1-3.

The school was officially handed over to the beneficiary community in an official ceremony March 12, 2009 officiated by Mr. Shiletsi Makhofane, CEO of Africa Online and other Africa Online representatives, Kenya Red Cross representatives, Government of Kenya representatives, the school committee and the beneficiary community.

Impact of the Project

1. Peace Building and Reconciliation

The project has to a great extent enhanced Peace Building and Reconciliation among the Communities through the involvement of all the affected communities in reconstruction of the school working together, planning and executing the activities together for a common goal irrespective of ethnic background.

2. Increased Students Population

The primary school enrolment increased from 17 pupils at the start of the project to 450 to date. There are reports of transfers from other schools to Ng'arua Primary School. Demand for daily admissions range from 10‐15 pupils daily.

3. Increased Teaching Staff

The school has received more posting of teachers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of the Ministry of Education as well as others from the Parents Teachers Association, to support the increased pupils' population.

4. Registration of Students in the National Exams

The school has this year registered as a KCPE centre registering 22 candidates (11 boys and 11 girls). The candidates for the previous year had to sit their exams in the IDP camps.

5. Improved Performance

The availability of a conducive learning environment for the pupils has resulted in the school ranking position 6 out of 22 in the Zonal Mock exams held this year and it is expected that their performance in the final exam will be further improved in light of the favorable learning environment.