SSF - How it all began and perhaps more importantly where are they now?

SSF was started when a group of Shropshire Thomas Adams Teachers was on its final British Council Partnership visit to Miriu Secondary School back in 2010. The teachers from both schools had entered into a British Council Partnership which aimed to get the 2 schools to work together for the mutual benefit of the all the pupils.

It was difficult but a lot was achieved nevertheless, including the memorable day when a large group of Miriu students stayed behind after school to watch a Modern BBC production of Macbeth (on laptop and projector plus a rather 'wonky generator!)

A sponsorship programme for needy students was also started to help the poorest cope with the secondary school fees required by the Kenyan Education system.

However on this final visit some of the poorest students were obviously not coping and in fact Lawrence appeared to be in a rather worrying stage of malnutrition. He was a total orphan who was trying to look after himself and his younger sister and basically he was beginning to go under!

The Shropshire teachers' group could not accept this and with the help of the the Miriu deputy at that time (Patrick) and other teachers, the 8 most needy students were identified and financial provision was made to ensure that these 8 had their fees paid and they & their siblings had sufficient food every week. Mr Tom Bilo (physics teacher) agreed to ensure that they all got the care and attention they needed ...and they did. In a series of photos they changed within weeks and with the help of relatives, friends and colleagues, monthly transfers paid all the basic expenses so that all completed their difficult secondary schooling and all passed their final rigorous KCSE exams. Of course by then 8 became 10 and then 12 and to date the numbers fluctuate around 50.

Left to right: George, Millicent, Samuel, Christine, Treezer, Calvince, Edwina, Teacher and Lawrence

Lawrence's condition was very worrying as he had not eaten properly for about 2 weeks prior to the photo as he had defaulted on a fee for a special school event, so he could not attend school and therefore missed his meals that school provided.

Their general body language and facial expressions tell their own story.

12 months on the things had changed and by our next visit these were the 8 again with the addition of Lydia and Ladyisha

Back row: Lydia Edwina Treezer Samuel Millicent

Front Row: Ladyisha Christine Calvince Lawrence and George

This photo was taken in Tom Bilo's mothers house and the colouful strips were donated by Carlisle United Football Club.

That very same night we met a younger student for the first time, Erastus. He became our eleventh sponsored student because a couple more sponsors had joined us.

Erastus was a total orphan and when his second parent died a couple of years previously he had to rely on kind locals taking him in and feeding him what they could and in return Erastus would work on their crops and do anything he could to earn enough to survive. However in better days he had excelled at primary school. But without fees and somewhere to live secondary schooling was impossible. Again Tom and Martha Bilo changed his life and he repaid them in every way he could. He is now Tom's right hand man and has taken responsibility for so much that needs to be done. However his most impressive achievements have been those of his academic successes. An excellent KCSE final grade which gave him a place at Kenya's top university in Nairobi and a degree result on his graduation that opened the door immediately for a career in teaching. He is now a very successful young Maths and Physics teacher.

But the interesting question is where are the first 10 students now and what are they doing?

The second part will be written and be posted shortly when as much information can be gathered. (spoiler alert! It may be a very pleasant surprise. )