Sincere Thanks from Kenya

A team of more than 20 local individuals lead by Hastings property developers The Park Lane Group, worked tirelessly this Summer on a formidable project in the Masai Mara to build a new classroom block at The Olare Owang CBO School in Kenya.

The challenge brought together Zofia Malewicz, The Park Lane Group’s MD Russell Beswick and son Oliver, together with Wayne Carley of Carley Construction and his son Josh, Robert Murtagh of Land, Lake & Woodland Clearance Ltd, and a number of pupils from Battle Abbey School and friends of Zofia. Alongside their hard work and commitment, the project’s success also relied upon the generosity of a number of other companies and individuals (see details below) who donated materials and money, which the School would like to give thanks to.

It was the brainchild of inspiring Battle Abbey School teacher Zofia, who with the support of The Park Lane Group both in time and money, has succeeded in increasing the Kenyan school’s capacity by nearly 200% and improved the welfare and safety of its pupils. It has also created a valuable legacy, boosting the local Kenyan economy as builders from the area were recruited to help construct the concrete base ahead of the team’s arrival and tasked with future maintenance work.

School’s Plight

Over 100 children attend the school, formerly a basic corrugated tin building with no natural light, which was bursting at the seams. In the summer heat, temperatures rose like an oven with children having to be taught in rotation as a result of insufficient space to teach them together. The pupils range from four to twelve years old and travel on foot as far as 15km every day to attend lessons.

In addition to the construction work, a perimeter fence has also been erected to keep wild animals out and grazing goats in. The end result has had a profound effect in the area, creating an important resource and securing the children’s safety at school.

Since the team arrived home, another benefactor has come forward and offered the school funds to extend it further. It is hoped that it will become an important education hub serving an area of many miles and plans to build a hospital there are also now under consideration.

Special Thanks

The Olare Owang CBO School would like to give special thanks to the following organisations and individuals for their generous donations of building materials, money, time and hard work: