Recent Events
Bombolulu School of Promise has recently moved to new premises.
The trustees are delighted to announce that a new building has been acquired to secure the future of the Bombolulu School of Promise. This is a massive, though exciting, step for the charity which started in such a small way only seven years ago, yet has successfully been able to establish a sizable school with a certain future. Safeguarding the ongoing education of disadvantaged children from the Bombolulu slums of Mombasa.
In view of the significant investment required the decision to buy a property for the school was not taken lightly, however new premises were needed after the previous buildings’ lease had expired and we were unable to extend the lease on a long term basis.
Work started to look for new premises 4 months ago (March 2011) but no suitable buildings in the area were found available to rent, the situation was becoming more serious and a property was needed to be found if the school was to continue in its current form. The charity did not have the money to buy a property, and it was not until a local individual who had learnt of the situation offered an interest free loan did the option of purchasing a building become realistic . The trustees called an emergency meeting to decide how they should best proceed as buying a property in Kenya from the UK was going to be difficult. The decision was taken though that they would accept the kind offer and explore if there was a suitable property for sale and legally whether the charity could have title to property in Kenya.
Pamela, our Head Teacher, searched the immediate area and a property that was previously an infant school was found for sale. The building was in quite a poor condition but it had eight class rooms, connected water and electricity and an outside space that could be used as a playground for the children. Importantly as it had previously been used as a school it had the necessary building status to allow us to use it as a school.
Jacqueline visited Mombasa to view the property and ensure its suitability, since it was adjudged to be almost perfect an offer was subsequently made with the Trustees approval and following negotiations we agreed the purchase of the property. A solicitor in Kenya who offered her services as a donation then set about the complicated process of enabling a UK charity to purchase the building . This process ran remarkably smoothly, albeit predictably quite slowly, and eventually we agreed a completion date .
Finally the big day of the move arrived, Pamela along with the teachers and the help of many of the children moved the whole school the short distance to the new building in just one day. The school was up and running just a few days later which is a real credit to all that were involved.
The building is in a poor condition but the immediate concern is security and the team are working hard to secure the school with wire fences and mesh windows. Some of the room’s leak when it rains, which our maintenance man is fixing as best as he can until money can be raised for a permanent solution. But.. the building now belongs to us and so we can commence a refurbishment program knowing that the children will benefit from works we do for years to come.
If you would like to help us commence the urgently needed renovation of the school then please make a donation online via Pay Pal or complete one of our donation forms. Any contribution is hugely appreciated and will make a massive difference to the quality of life for so many children.
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