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Charles Coldman

Last updated 29/01/2009 09:27:23

Our Promise:

African Promise – the recent initiative of 24-year-old graduate Charles Coldman - is dedicated to transforming the five primary and nursery schools in the isolated rural community of Kasigau in south-east Kenya for the benefit of hundreds of Patrick's fellow pupils and of children for generations to come.

Our extensive programmes of school development are focused on providing Patrick and his friends with modern school environments conducive to productive learning, with educational resources to help make lessons more interactive and to bring them to life, with more books than just a tattered old Enid Blyton novel; and, ultimately, with hope of making their dreams come true.

At the moment our focus is on enhancing physical learning environments. Where classrooms are dusty, dirty and open to the elements we are extensively renovating or rebuilding them. Where concrete latrines are crumbling, infested with disease spreading insects and on the verge of collapse we are installing the most modern sanitation facilities available to rural Kenyan schools.

But this work is only short-term and we are about more than that. We will continue to support the schools even once the major work is complete. Not only will be continue to provide the schools with the resources and materials they so desperately need we will also initiate a number of long-term projects aimed at improving nutrition levels, at introducing modern technologies and at so much more.

Changing Stories...

At a school where before there was not a single story book to read we have built a dedicated library facility. It is stocked with hundreds of books. Many copies of a diverse range of titles so that there is something for all ages and all abilities.

Where before, reading lessons were the thing of dreams, they are now a reality: once per week for each and every pupil. Where playing in the dirt was once the order of the day at lunch or break-time, children can now be found tucked away in a quiet corner of the library absorbed in their latest literary adventure.

At a school where children never read – because there was nothing to read – we are helping to develop a new and rapidly growing reading culture.

The numerous pairs of orange, red and blue sandals left haphazardly in a heap outside the library door bare testament to that: and to the excitement of each and every child to be a part of it.

Help us to continue changing stories...

We have already started to change the futures of hundreds of children but there is lots more work to be done, both for them and for others just like them...and you can play your part in bringing about that change.

You can make a donation: simply, by going to www.justgiving.com/africanpromise or, more traditionally,


by downloading our donation form at www.africanpromise.org.uk/makeadonation.htm

Or you can join our growing community of supporters and give your time to help raise our profile and much needed funds - please email our Founder and Project Director at charles.coldman@africanpromise.org.uk if you are interested.

For more information please visit us at www.africanpromise.org.uk