Welcome and Introduction:
Petra and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all stakeholders including donors, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and the wider community involved with the Nandi School Project as you review this yearly report.

Our Mission:
The charity was founded on 1st June 2018 by Duncan McDonald, Petra McDonald, and Caroline Holding (our first substantial donor). Its purpose is to advance education by providing funds to build a school and sponsor or support orphans and seriously disadvantaged children in Kipsamoite, Nandi County, Kenya. This support includes school fees, uniforms, and a feeding program. Over time, our vision has evolved to focus on creating a self-sustaining school that fosters an entrepreneurial environment, promoting self-help ideas and teachings.

Yearly Overview (April 2024 – March 2025)

This year has been a significant and productive period for the project, marked by two major developments that have strengthened both our physical infrastructure and organizational capacity.

1. Construction of Two New Classrooms and Covered Way

The most notable achievement during this period has been the construction of two new classrooms and a covered walkway. This project was carried out while we were still on site in March and has now been fully completed.

The classrooms are fully finished and equipped with electricity, providing bright, functional spaces that will greatly enhance the learning environment for both students and teachers. The covered walkway adds convenience and protection from the elements, improving daily movement around the school. This development represents a substantial step forward in the school’s facilities and will serve the community for years to come.

2. Appointment of a New Business Manager and Coordinator

Another key highlight of the year has been the appointment of Sabina Tanui as the new Business Manager and Coordinator for the project. Although she joined in the final month of this reporting period, it is already clear that Sabina brings strong organizational skills, energy, and vision. Her proactive approach is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the project’s growth and impact going forward.

We are confident that Sabina’s contribution will lead to significant new developments and initiatives in the coming year, and we look forward to reporting on her achievements in next year’s report.

Nandi School Project – Key Achievements (April 2024 – March 2025)

• Mr. Chumba’s Recovery (Not Headmaster Chumba): After receiving support for a foot operation, Mr. Chumba returned to the village in greatly improved health he explicitly requested I thank each and everyone of you who donated and saved him the loss of his foot!
• Target of 200 Children Reached: This year, the school successfully reached its enrollment target for needy children increasing places to 200, a fantastic milestone for the project’s growth and impact. 
• Laptop Donation: Four new laptops were donated by All About Framing at a total cost of £1,000, providing valuable tools for both teaching and learning.
• Sanitary Products for Girls: A full year’s supply of sanitary products, kindly donated by Darren Orr, was distributed to the girls a practical and vital contribution to their well-being and continued education.
• Tree Planting Initiative: A total of 150 trees were planted around the perimeter of the school, helping to create a greener, more sustainable environment for the future.
• New Desks: Seventy new wooden desks were completed, improving classroom furniture and ensuring that more students have proper places to sit and work.
• Pallet Arrival: The pallet sent the previous year finally arrived after six months in transit  unbelievable, but a huge relief! Contained donated books and football kits
• New Football Kits: The children proudly wore their new football kits at events for the first time this year, a moment of real excitement and pride for everyone involved.
• Fundraising Quizzes: Sharon Gunn ran two quizzes during the year, raising over £1,000 for the project — a fantastic effort Great work Sharon!
• School Trips: The children enjoyed two memorable trips which was age dependent, one to Kisumu, where they visited the zoo, the airport, and other places of interest, and another to Eldoret, where they explored the airport and had fun at the play park.
• New Website Launch: A new project website was launched to support and centralize all future fundraising efforts, marking an important step forward in communication and sustainability.
• Christmas Gifts: Every child received a sports kit (either football or general sports), ensuring that every pupil was included — a truly special moment.
• Kitchen Units Installed: Linda Coope generously donated kitchen units, which were fitted into the school kitchen, significantly improving the food preparation area.
• Water Tower Construction: A new water tower was built and fitted out, also serving as a storeroom and workshop for Moses, improving both infrastructure and functionality.
• Val Sweeting Community Hall Opened: The Val Sweeting Community Hall was officially opened this year. Val Sweeting’s generous donations have played a major role in supporting the charity’s work, especially in feeding the children of the village.

Current Financial Status: 

Please Note: The previous years (2024) was our first set of full accounts that included all previous years from the point of registration as a charity

Challenges and Future Plans

The main challenge encountered this year related to the proposed poultry farm project. While there has been some local opposition to its location from a small number of individuals, discussions are ongoing to find a way forward that works for everyone.

We remain committed to this important initiative and will continue to explore constructive solutions. On our return in 2026, we plan to revisit and advance the project, potentially looking at alternative sites that could make the development possible.

Looking ahead, there are a number of exciting developments planned for the coming year to continue improving the school’s facilities, environment, and educational opportunities:

• Major Re-landscaping of the Site
  The entire school grounds will undergo a transformation — moving from the current “building site” feel to a beautifully landscaped area with grassed spaces, flowers, and trees, alongside the installation of essential fencing to ensure the site is both secure and welcoming.
• Major transformation of sports facilities Construction of a football pitch, netball court and Volleyball court as part of the landscaping initiative started last year. This will also be the focus of our Christmas Appeal in 2025.
• Teachers’ Team Building Day
  A special team building day will be organized for the teachers to encourage collaboration, develop new ideas, and strengthen their shared vision for the future of the school.
• Introduction of Adult Education Classes
  A new adult education programme will be launched, covering a range of subjects to broaden learning opportunities within the wider community.
• Construction of a New Ablutions Block
  A new ablutions block will be built in the main school area. This facility may also double as a changing area for sports, providing much-needed additional space and functionality.
• Comprehensive Repairs and Decorating Plan
  A school-wide repair and decorating programme will be implemented to tidy, refresh, and enhance the appearance of all areas, ensuring the school looks inviting and well cared for.
• Classroom Enhancements
  Each classroom will be individually assessed and improved, with potential upgrades including whiteboards, storage lockers, shelving, new desks, and other equipment as needed — ensuring that every learning space is fully equipped and inspiring.

Closing Message

As we reflect on the year 2024–2025, it’s clear that the Nandi School Project has continued to make meaningful progress both in terms of infrastructure and community impact. This year has laid important foundations for the future, not only through the completion of key building projects but also through the strengthening of our leadership team.

With the appointment of Sabina Tanui as the new Business Manager and Coordinator, we are entering an exciting new phase. Her energy, organizational skills, and vision will help to drive the project forward, bringing fresh ideas and structure to support our shared goals.

Together, we have achieved a great deal  and with your continued support, we are confident that the Nandi School Project will reach even greater heights. Our commitment to building a self-sustaining school that empowers the community remains at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. We look forward to the year ahead and to the many opportunities it will bring to create a brighter future for the children of Nandi.

Submitted

Chairman and Founder