In addition to supporting the orphans Watoto Trust has funded the following projects:

Primary Schools

Primary schools are Government funded, but only to a minimum standard.  Several of the orphans attend Ndege Primary School and Ngongongari Primary School. We found that there were often up to 90 children in one class with many lessons taking place outside. We have supported the schools, helping them to build new classrooms and toilet facilities.

Secondary School

Faith Holy Secondary School was started in 2009 by the Faith Holy Church inspired by Pastor Ruben, with funding initially from local sources, including a donation of land from the County Council. The school’s ethos is to provide a secondary education to children even if they cannot afford the fees. The school is adjacent to the orphanage and 13 orphans attend the school.

Watoto Trust became involved in 2010 helping to fund additional classrooms.

Watoto Trust is also funding a science laboratory, and is contributing towards the salaries of the six teachers. We have pledged to maintain the laboratory, and to build a library.

Self sufficiency

There is no natural water source or electricity at the orphanage, they cook on an open fire, and use paraffin lamps.  More recently a generator has been installed, but this is expensive to run and unreliable. Watoto Trust intends to install solar panels for lighting in the near future.

Farming

The orphanage farms the 5 acres of land with maize and bean crops as well as fast-growing eucalyptus trees. They also keep pigs and chickens. This has enabled the children to be almost self sufficient in food and fuel.

Water collection and storage tanks

Watoto Trust has installed several water tanks which enable enough water to be collected during the rainy season to keep the orphanage self sufficient during the dry season. Previous to this water was bought in by the donkey load at considerable expense.