Electric Mail > General > February 2009 > Schools for the Maasai community of Kenya

Dear James,

Another year is gone and it is time for me to say, yet again, a BIG thank you to all in the ESB. Your generosity to the people of Rombo and most especially the children of Olmapinu is very much appreciated.

We have successfully completed another project, kindly funded by ESB ElectricAid. I have attached a file showing photos of our work. As you can see, the classroom already has children inside, even though we had not finished the construction at the time of this photograph. When the rains came, those children that had been attending class under a tree were transferred into your classroom. The toilets you funded are also finished. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to go to photograph them due to the very very heavy rains.

I am sure I do not need to explain how important this classroom is to the children and parents at Olmapinu Primary school. These children no longer have to attend classes outside under a tree. This is fantastic, since classes outside are cancelled when the rainy season arrives. During the initial building stages, the parents assisted with the collection of rough stones for the foundations and water for the workmen. They did this to show their appreciation for the new classroom. Let me close by saying on behalf of all the children at Olmapinu Primary School (as well as the teachers a nd parents) a very very sincere tha nk you to all at ESB Irela nd. I hope for your continu ed support a nd would welcome the day that someone from your orga nisation will come to the Rombo area to see first ha nd the difference your donation is making on a daily basis.

Ashe oleng (thank you very much, in Maasaila nguage) from all in Light of Maasai a nd Olmapinu Rombo.

Elaine Bannon, Friends of Rombo



		ElectricAid Project of the Month Schools for the Maasai community of Kenya - radical improvement for just €20k This story begins with the visit of two members of the Maasai community to a primary school in North Dublin. It was a visit arranged by Friends of Rombo, a small charity engaged in addressing the appalling situation of broken-down and non-existent schools for the Maasai community in Northern Kenya. The primary students were very impressed by the visitors in their full Maasi warrior regalia and the school adopted the charity as one they could work with. One of the students happened to be my son, Conor, who badgered me enough to get me, and then ElectricAid, on board. We have now completed two school projects in the Rombo area – the first one in partnership with Belgrove Boys National School in Clontarf in Dublin. The simple report below, on the second project, speaks volumes for the enormous amount of simple good that can be done with the persistence of a 12-year old boy - large amounts of goodwill and small amounts of money. Our total investment in Rombo has been €20,000 – and hundreds of lives have been radically improved, with dignity, education, and sanitation. James Foley, ElectricAid		Pictured: Members of the Maasai community visit a primary school in North Dublin. Letter from the Friends of Rombo Dear James, Another year is gone and it is time for me to say, yet again, a BIG thank you to all in the ESB. Your generosity to the people of Rombo and most especially the children of Olmapinu is very much appreciated. We have successfully completed another project, kindly funded by ESB ElectricAid. I have attached a file showing photos of our work. As you can see, the classroom already has children inside, even though we had not finished the construction at the time of this photograph. When the rains came, those children that had been attending class under a tree were transferred into your classroom. The toilets you funded are also finished. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to go to photograph them due to the very very heavy rains. I am sure I do not need to explain how important this classroom is to the children and parents at Olmapinu Primary school. These children no longer have to attend classes outside under a tree. This is fantastic, since classes outside are cancelled when the rainy season arrives. During the initial building stages, the parents assisted with the collection of rough stones for the foundations and water for the workmen. They did this to show their appreciation for the new classroom. Let me close by saying on behalf of all the children at Olmapinu Primary School (as well as the teachers a nd parents) a very very sincere tha nk you to all at ESB Irela nd. I hope for your continu ed support a nd would welcome the day that someone from your orga nisation will come to the Rombo area to see first ha nd the difference your donation is making on a daily basis. Ashe oleng (thank you very much, in Maasaila nguage) from all in Light of Maasai a nd Olmapinu Rombo. Elaine Bannon, Friends of Rombo