Blue Bell School in Mtwapa, Kenya
Condor sponsors: Birgit Rusche, Matthias Rühle, both pursers at Condor
Since October 2006, the Blue Bell Kindergarten has been sponsored by HelpAlliance, initiated by Birgit Rusche (Condor) and Kerstin Auersch (Lufthansa). Back then, 46 children aged between two and eight were cared for and educated at Blue Bell. In the following years, the school was able to be continuously expanded.
Today, Blue Bell School includes a daycare, preschool, primary school, and secondary school. 307 children have been attending the school since January 2021. In supporting the school, particular emphasis was placed on improving the school infrastructure, as well as on hygiene and water supply. Which means that, funding went to expanding sanitary facilities and the acquisition of large water tanks for rainwater collection, for example.
Thanks to donations and diverse support, especially from Condor employees, it was possible to purchase tables, chairs, and teaching materials. Today, the school employs 8 teachers and 7 educators. The current challenge is primarily on managing the coronavirus pandemic, just like it is back home. The people on site are even more affected. Due to government measures, the school had to close for nearly nine months in 2020, resulting in no income generation and the need for additional funding.
To support families in particular need, funds were quickly and efficiently made available to provide urgently needed food supplies as part of an emergency aid program at the end of 2020. The Blue Bell School is a successful example of self-help and will continue to provide many children with access to education in the future, soon achieving its goal of becoming financially independent.