MOVE-IN DAY AT KANYELELE SECONDARY SCHOOL DORMS

The first occupants of the dormitory compound walk from campus to the dorm through the dining hall porch.

Tuesday, October 6th was move-in day for the new dormitory complex at Kanyelele Secondary School. Teachers, parents and community members joined the 32 girls selected to live in the dorms to help move trunks and mattresses into the four-person rooms to the sounds of the school song. Many took the chance to tour the dining hall, kitchen and bathroom building.

Parents and community members inspecting the latrine and shower stalls.

Girls in Form IV—the equivalent of 10th grade in the U.S.—were given priority for the first bunk beds. Until now, those girls have been sleeping on the floor of an empty classroom and sharing the latrines with the rest of the almost 400 students. They’ll be studying hard for the O Level examinations later this year. Those national exams determine whether they receive secondary school graduation certificates. High scores will enable them to continue their education through vocational school, Advanced Level or High School and university beyond.

Teachers and parents gathered on the porch at the entrance to one side of the dorm.

This project marked a milestone for Africa Schoolhouse and the team of engineers, masons, carpenters and laborers with whom we’ve collaborated over the past 13 years. Five buildings—dining hall and kitchen, bathroom building, dorm, matron house and matron’s latrine—were constructed in just ten months. That included custom-made bunks and storage cubbies as well as water storage and disposal structures. We’re already brainstorming with Engineer Benjamin John on ways to simplify construction for the second of three dormitories planned for the site, which will begin as soon as fund-raising permits.