Keen learners in Kenya with just pencils

In 2015, on a trip to Kenya I came across a school where the children had so little resources I wanted to help. Its called the EKO Academy in Kerrepon, just north of Nairobi.I found out that the education didn't include any art at all and being an artist myself I thought I would run some workshops. In 2016 I went with my son age 8 for 3 weeks and we did loads of art mostly in the school yard - the classrooms were so dark and cramped.

Eventually the hope is we can raise enough money to rebuild the school as it is just corrugated metal sheets and dirt floors.

Below are some views of the school including the single tap and the row of toilets.

The kids crowd in on roughly built wooden settles in unlit rooms and the materials are a stub of a pencil and jotters. When I work in the school in Scotland I am always amazed at the rich resources!

In 2016 the results were amazing and the photos do not do justice to the enthusiasm and drive of the children there. I also found the adults all joined in - mothers and secretary and teachers, everyone got something out of creating. I promised to return and so......... my ticket is bought. I just need to gather resources, and donations to buy more out there.

You can see some of the results. I was awed by the optimistic smiles and ambition of these children. I also saw an autistic boy wake alive when he blew bubble from a bubble tub!

These wee girls are eating a lunch their mothers have dropped off - they eat standing up outside in the yard- you can't really call the small space a play-ground.

Please help me to help these children. Art is not an extravagance but an important outlet for thoughts and emotions and expression which gives great happiness!