The Need
Gitare, Kenya
80 kilometers west of Nairobi, across 44 square kilometers of semi-arid land, where crop failure and scarce water shape a child's chance of finishing school.
The community
Life in the village
Gitare, Kenya is the home village of Fr. Stephen Ndichu Karani. Gitare is located 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Nairobi. This village covers an area of 44 square kilometers (27 square miles). The area is semi-arid. Inadequate rainfall throughout the year makes water scarce.
Most of the people are subsistence farmers who grow just enough food to feed their families. Crop failure is common and contributes to increased poverty in families, which in turn affects the education of children. In the past, only 36% of the people in Gitare have attained a high school education.
In 2008, Holy Family Catholic Community of Dansville, Perkinsville, Cohocton and Wayland, NY began The Kenya School Project as a ministry to serve the poor in Gitare. These communities and friends joined together in this mission to construct a high school available for boys and girls in this remote village.
By 2011, St. Josephine Bakhita Secondary School opened with two classrooms with boys and girls attending high school for the first time. They became the first graduates from the school in 2014, followed by many other classes to date. Since 2008 through the generosity of donors and fundraisers, two more classrooms, a science lab, library and offices were constructed. This has enhanced the curriculum and enabled more students to achieve their high school certificates (diplomas).
In April, 2019, this ministry became a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation by the name of Gitare Kenya Outreach Inc. This new non-profit entity will continue raising funds to complete the final construction phase of St. Josephine Bakhita Secondary School, provide resources for the classrooms and sponsor students from very poor families. Your prayers and financial contributions are greatly appreciated by the students and their families who know that education is the key to the future.
“I live in the United States of America and I was in Kenya visiting with family after being away for many years. While there I was informed that my former colleagues; Fr. Karani and Fr. Mucheru, had worked with some partners, to build a school in Gitare. Gitare is one of the rural, dry and relatively poor areas of Nakuru Diocese. On my way to Nairobi I asked to stop by the school. As we approached the school, our view was obstructed by the dust and the shanties/kiosks lined up with hawkers, hustling under the hot sun in an effort to sell their merchandise. These are some of the parents of the children of Bakhita School. As we reached the gate, I noticed a change in the landscape, next to the school was a beautiful farm, green with well-tended corn. I was informed that to reduce the cost of running the school they grow their own food. Impressive. The gate opened. A head lay a structure to behold, both in design and size. I asked how does, Fr. Karani stay involved given the time differential. "He is with us every step of the way, attending meetings sometimes very early in mornings or afternoons American time" explained Fr. Peter Mucheru. I was happy to learn and see for myself how the teachers are highly dedicated to their work, how they are invested in the student learning and in the success of St. Josephine Bakhita School. The students are eager to open their new kitchen and dining facilities. Let us all join hands towards, being a part of building St. Josephine Bakhita Secondary School, Desk by Desk and Class by Class, literary.”
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Did You Know?
Facts behind the need
- With more than 70% of the total population in Kenya living in rural areas, access to education is a major problem.
- Despite progress, millions of children and teens in rural areas are still denied the chance to go to school.
- The poor, and girls most of all, have far less chance of attending school.
- Secondary schools are especially needed in rural areas, slum settlements and pastoralist communities.
- Literacy rates in rural areas like Gitare, Kenya are adversely affected by lack of books, newspapers, and other publications.
- There are no public libraries in Gitare, Kenya.
- Extreme weather conditions from drought to monsoons are causing extra hardships for the people.
- In 2016, electricity became available to SJBS thus enabling lighting, access to computers, plugs and technology.
- In 2019, clean and reliable piped water became available and now supplies water to St. Josephine Bakhita Secondary School.
- In 2020, Covid-19 affects the education, health and economic activities for the students and their families.
Project Goals
Our response
- 1Build a co-educational school facility in Gitare, Kenya.
- 2Improve the social and economic status of families by making high school accessible and affordable.
- 3Empower young girls and boys to be socially and economically productive.
- 4Undertake construction in phases over time.
- 5Increase the percentage of young people attaining a high school education in Gitare, Kenya.
Visitors to Gitare
What visitors saw
“One of the moments I will always remember from our trip to Gitare is when, after Sunday Mass, we went to the Village market. I pulled out of my purse the equivalent of a $10 bill and asked our driver to help me complete the transaction. He looked at my money and said, ‘Oh no, the seller will never be able to make change of that.’ So he took my money and walked around the village trying to ‘break it’ into smaller amounts. No one could. We pooled our coins from the bottom of our purses and pockets and were able to buy the bananas. That is how little cash there is in the lives of the people of Gitare.”
“One moment that changed my life is when I went to Africa. There were so many things that opened my eyes. I visited Kenya. There I saw poverty like never before. I saw people living in makeshift huts, kids lying in the hot sun, women carrying water and wood on their head which they probably had to walk many miles to get.”
“My wish for the children and teenagers of Gitare is to give them hope to reach a dream to go to school, do good in school, graduate, get a job and live a good life.”
“I remember that in Gitare there were many people walking, few cars and lots of bikes. Although the bikes were rustic, they were a necessity. The boys my age transported water, milk and other supplies over the dirt roads.”
Homesteads
Where our students live
Photographs of family homesteads in the Gitare community, taken during a visit.
Help create lasting opportunities through education.
CLOSE TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of your donation to the annual appeal will be used for The Gitare Kenya Outreach for St. Josephine Bakhita Secondary School.