- Mekaela Academies
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Mekaela Academies is the umbrella organization for four non-profit private schools in Kenya. The Primary Section consists of classes from Standard 1 through to Standard 8, the Secondary Section consists of classes from Form 1 through to Form 4. Approximately 1,400 children (status: September 2011) attend the four schools: Manuel Alexander School, Likunda Primary School, Heshima Primary School and Lulu High School.The schools provide boarding facilities for children from the age of 10 years. Mekaela Academies implements boarding as mandatory for students of the class Standard 8. The education of the schools' students is based on the principles of Kurt Hahn.
Mekaela Academies was founded in 1993 by members of the German charitable society "Watoto e.V." (Watoto means "children" in Swahili).
The construction of the first three schools was funded with donations made to Watoto e. V. Heshima Primary School is owned by the German foundation Eine-Welt-Stiftung, however the school is fully integrated within the organisation of Mekaela Academies.
The organization is non-profit and works purely on a charitable basis. All profits are distributed to the school children and their parents or the staff of the schools. The organization runs a sponsorship scheme which enables around 400 children from very poor families to attend school.
History
- Founded in 1993
The founders Frank Müther, Micki Wentzel und Stefan Wentzel develop a concept for a private school for the education of children in Kenya. Mekaela Academies is registered as an organisation and purchases its first plot.
- 1994 to 1996
Beginning of construction of the first primary school which is named "Manuel Alexander School" (MAS) to honour the first donor. The construction of the first building was completed in 1996; the extension by one more building was planned the same year.
- 1997 to 1999
Several classrooms were added to MAS. Due to riots many families living in South Coasts flee their homes into their tribal territories. At the peak of the crisis, the number of pupils drops to 90 from 200, the project faces termination. Generous donations from Germany help rescue the project. A sports field, a playground and a third building are built.
- 1999 to 2002
Beginning of construction of a second primary school, called "Likunda Primary School" (LPS) as a boarding school. Two school buildings, a dining hall and some provisional dormitories are erected.
- 2003 to 2004
Introduction of computer lessons as subjects without exams at Mekaela Academies. The boarding section of LPS is extended, around 400 pupils are attending MAS and LPS which are operating at their maximum capacity. The planning for a third school, Lulu High School (LHS), commences. At LHS, the graduates of the two primary schools MAS und LPS will attend their secondary level.
- 2005 to 2006
Construction and completion of Lulu High School, the first secondary school of Mekaela Academies, with capacities for up to 200 students. Due to increasing demand for places in the primary section, LPS receives a second stream. Beginning of a cooperation with the German foundation "Eine-Welt-Stiftung" to build "Heshima Primary School" (HPS) as the third primary school if Mekaela Academies. Establishment of a school newspaper "Mekaela Times" run by pupils and teachers.
- 2007 to 2008
Completion of the first building of HPS with three classrooms. For the first time in the history of Mekaela Academies, both MAS and LPS achieve a position among the top 20 of about 18,000 primary schools (Source: HSK) in Kenya during the 2007 KCPE exams. The first KCSE exams are conducted at LHS in 2007, Mekaela Academies has "produced" its first university students. About 95% of the 2007 graduates of LHS qualify for university, and LHS achieves a position among the top 100 secondary schools among approx. 3,000 Secondary Schools (Source: GoK) in the country.
- 2009 to 2010
Heshima Primary School gets boarding facilities. Capacity at Lulu High School is extended from 200 to 300 pupils. Mekaela Academies establishes two school farms with acreage of approx. 30 (12 ha) to sustain supply of basic foodstuff (maize, beans) to the schools. Likunda Primary School and Lulu High School receive solar power generation equipment from Phoenix Solar AG to provide independent power supply.
- 2011 to 2012
Internet introduction to all four schools, connecting computer classes and providing free internet access for teachers and pupils. Free basic medical coverage provided to all sponsored children through an integrated medical scheme icluding local doctors and hospitals. The programme will be extended to all pupils after the pilot phase. Organising and conducting famine relief missions to the drought-stricken areas in the North on Kenya with exclusively voluntary helpers recruited among the teachers and the parents of pupils of Mekaela Academies. Planning a second solar power generation system for Manuel Alexander School and Heshima Primary School which would make Mekaela Academies totally independent from power supplies from the public utility KPLC and the use of generators. Implementing an employment agency for unemployed parents of students of Mekaela Academies.
External links
Categories:- Schools in Kenya
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