CWS SCHOOL SAFE ZONES

STORY Students at Gosese Primary School were set up for failure. They were sitting on rocks and being taught under the shade of trees. The few structures that were standing were supposed to be condemned. Teachers felt like an assignment to Gosese was a punishment, so they didn’t fulfill their potential and were not role models for the young minds at Gosese. In 2007, there were 47 students who were taught by 3 teachers. Gosese only accommodated students through grade 4, so students were expected to transfer to distant schools to start grade 5. Students would generally drop out after only a few months at a new school.

STORY Students at Gosese Primary School were set up for failure. They were sitting on rocks and being taught under the shade of trees. The few structures that were standing were supposed to be condemned. Teachers felt like an assignment to Gosese was a punishment, so they didn’t fulfill their potential and were not role models for the young minds at Gosese. In 2007, there were 47 students who were taught by 3 teachers. Gosese only accommodated students through grade 4, so students were expected to transfer to distant schools to start grade 5. Students would generally drop out after only a few months at a new school.

Gosese principal, Sasi Kabaka, and his staff worked with the Ministry of Education to get the momentum up to revitalize the school and stop sending students to distant schools after Grade 4. The students were finally going to get the role models that they deserved.

As part of the CWS Safe School Zones program, the school received a grant to build classrooms that included desks. There were also training sessions for staff, parents and teachers. The community was standing with the students of Gosese. Within six years, the school had grown from the initial 47 students to 271 students who were taught in proper classrooms. An assignment to Gosese was no longer perceived as a punishment for teachers, and the students were getting the education that they deserved.

In many parts of the world where we work, schools are the bedrock of a community’s health, well-being and future. They are a centering point: part learning space, part community center, all for the greater good. Parents around the world send their children to schools every day in the hopes tomorrow outshines the challenges of today. Sometimes today’s challenges are steep. Communities struggle with the need for clean water, sustainable food and other challenges, obstacles reflected in the school building itself. When schools don’t have sources of clean water, safe structures children whose hunger drowns out a teacher’s lesson, the much-hoped for future might not look as bright.

CWS SCHOOL SAFE ZONES The CWS School Safe Zones program brings together government, NGOs, the private sector and school communities, ensuring children’s access to quality education in a way that changes whole communities. In Kenya, CWS - through collaboration with the country’s ministry of education - helps schools develop safe and attractive school environments. The partnership has been so successful we helped ministry officials write the book - quite literally - on creating safe school spaces that are engaged with the community.

What’s involved? improving teacher performance through training and building connections with other teachers Providing clean water and sanitation facilities on the school grounds so children don’t have to leave the grounds When boys and girls don’t have to leave the school grounds to use the bathroom or get a drink of water, they have more time to learn. Girls, especially, have more time to learn because access to a restroom means they don’t miss school during their menstrual cycle. improving hygiene practices, with an eye towards ensuring access to both boys and girls facilitating access to health services Making facilities safe keep students safe from strangers and predators.

Opportunities for engagement Cost per school: $40,000 This is the total estimated cost to fully rehabilitate a school, train teachers and community members. Cost per classroom: $8,000 Typical classroom enhancements include windows and doors, blackboards, electricity and proper lighting. Technology investments: $ 5,000 As our world grows more connected, we want to ensure all children have access to technology including computers and printers. Training for community members: $6,250 We are fond of the communities where we work but want them to be able to maintain things independently. These trainings help create committees that manage the school and its resources. Training for teachers: $5,000 We believe in the power of professional development and connections. This investment can help teachers be the best they can be while helping them to connect with peers.

cwsglobal.org/give-SSZ Go to cwsglobal.org/give-SSZ to donate, or participate in our church’s event on _______. Proceeds will go to the CWS School Safe Zones program.