Our Story so far . . .

Fiona Beach MacGeagh a Founding Trustee of Friends of St Michael’s/RedEarth first visited St. Michael’s Primary School for girls in 2002 during her gap year. She returned every year, often bringing friends and family with her, and started to raise funds to build a library. The library was completed in 2008. But the reality was that too many girls were coming to class hungry and attention and concentration was poor so in 2009 we registered as a charity Friends of St Michael’s School so we could raise regular donations for school lunches. Termly funding for school lunches built up a trusting partnership with the school leadership. During visits everywhere you looked there was need at the 500 girl school - only one borehole that needed constant repairs - dilapidated washroom for the hostel girls and orphans - rats - broken chalkboards - no electricity - poor security - not enough desks - collapsing toilet blocks - very poor medical care - malaria was rife. So little by little over the years we have work with the school to help. St Michael’s is now the top performing school in the District (68 primary schools) with high literacy and numeracy. All the girls get the top two grades in the national PLE Exams.

Our impact at a glance - St Michael’s Girls Primary

• Building Kitchens & funding School Lunches

• Building & stocking Library and funding Librarian & Phonics Teacher

• Building 4 bed Sick Bay and funding School Nurse

• Malaria testing and treatment

• Development of the School Gardens and Farm

• Installing Solar Water Pump and Washrooms

• School requirements for needy girls

• Support for pupils and staff during Covid lockdowns

• Get A Girl Back to School Appeal after Covid

• Playground equipment

• Funding Science Fairs

• Solar etc

We realised quickly that too many girls at St Michael’s and other children from local primary schools were dropping out of education post primary as there was no secondary school - and in 2009 we were persuaded by the schools and community to at least start building a school on donated land next to St Michael’s - It has been a 14 year project and is still on going. To start with just 12 pupils in one basic classroom to where we are today - with 600 pupils. There is still much to do to fully resource the school as well as continuing to build so they can teach 2,000 local children.

Our impact at a glance - Bishop Willigers Secondary

• Classrooms for 600

• Desks for 600

• Government Grant Aided (government staff)

• Girls’ Hostel Block including bunk beds

• Boys’ Hostel Block including bunk beds

• Literacy Hub, tables, stools and reading books

• Science equipment and text books

• Scholarships for needy girls

• Kitchen and lunches

• Sports Field and sports equipment

• Funds for Medical supplies