EXCITED: Children in the Kenyan village are having lessons in a church while construction of the school building nears completion. Picture: Bill Lyndon
THE local woman driving the construction of a school in Kenya has contacted the Lakes Mail from the remote village of Lagusa in the hope that readers can help to finish the job.
Sylvia Burgess, of Arcadia Vale, said construction was nearing completion, and teachers and pupils were thrilled to watch their new school take shape.
There's just one problem...
"The part that is giving me nightmares is the shrinking budget," Ms Burgess said.
The school is being built by local workers using traditional Kenyan methods.
Work is ready to start on the construction of the roof.
"But just as we get a really good, keen team of workers who want to get the roof on as much as they want the money, I'm looking at the thin edge of our bank account," she said.
The school children are currently being taught in the local church.
But teachers and pupils are struggling for space.
"The school principal Syprose Ager tells me how much she needs to be able to put charts up on the walls. This can't be done in the church," she said.
In 1999, Ms Burgess and her sister Liz Watters founded an orphanage in the village, and Lake Macquarie residents were major contributors to those fund-raising efforts.
"You've been behind us all the way with ongoing kindness and generous support," she said.
One final fund-raising push was needed to get the job done, she said.
"Please help us to get the roof on."
¦ Donations for the school construction can be made via the Teachers Mutual Bank, BSB 812170, Account 6861688. Or go to gofundraise.com.au.
