Catherine Academy is a small, privately funded primary school set up for the poorest sector of children in Malindi Kenya. It aims to give a kick start to underprivileged children so that they can obtain better results for their state secondary school entry which is examed based. The better the results the better the school and future life chances.

Last year we visited the school and met the charming headmaster Mr Allan Collins who founded the school in 2012. It was an exceptional place, the classrooms were open sided corrugated iron sheds and the children often caught, killed and plucked a chicken for lunch as a home economics lesson!

We were impressed by the childrens keeness to work and realisation that education was a way out of their poverty trap and passage to a good job.There were about 40 children at the school ranging in age from 4 to 14. It was truly a place that touched our hearts .

When we asked the headmaster what he would like us to fund raise for he said that bringing a water supply to the school to provide drinking water and sinks and toilet facilities would be top of his list.

Having been in touch for some time though it is also evident that the poorest families are unable to pay their fees and he is in the impossible position of actually subbing several children himself ...which often results in teachers being paid late and risking the schools survival.

If anyone would like to sponsor a child it cost about £23/ month