Bingwa School Iniative 2011 - ACS Egham

Twenty students from ACS Egham International School recently returned from an inspiring ten-day expedition to Kenya where they helped to build part of a primary school. The twenty young volunteers travelled to Bingwa Primary School outside Nanyuki in Kenya as part of ACS Egham's 'Project Kenya', which is now over half-way through a five year programme. The programme aims to help improve the education facilities available at Bingwa Primary School, for the six hundred pupils aged from six to fifteen that it teaches in a school with just twelve small classrooms.

Bingwa Primary School is built on an old Saw mill which has affected the foundations of the school so a major part of ACS Egham's five-year programme is to provide secure foundations for the affected buildings.  This year a whole classroom had to be rotated 90 degrees and ACS Egham students worked hard assisting this project, from straightening nails to be reused, to cementing classroom floors. Students were also in charge of domestic tasks, such as washing up and sourcing food around Bingwa. Students also got involved in teaching lessons such as English and maths in classrooms that had up to one hundred students in one room.

ACS Egham student, Mandius Lundal who took part in this year's expedition, enjoyed the experience:

"This expedition lets you see the world with brand new eyes and learn new life skills. I think it is something everyone should experience if they get the opportunity."

Bill Roach, a P.E teacher at ACS Egham and one of the expedition organisers, commented:

"This trip is a unique way for students to become immersed in a totally different way of life and help a community in need by providing physical buildings, but also by building a long-term commitment and providing fundraising support to Bingwa throughout the year."

The whole of the ACS Egham community gets involved with this expedition throughout the year by donating clothing, old sports equipment and hosting fundraising events. Grade 5 students at ACS Egham are also penpals with some of the Bingwa students throughout the year

Virgin Atlantic also assisted this year's humanitarian efforts by providing an extra 23kg luggage allowance for each student, to enable them to take additional donated items to Bingwa Primary school.

ACS Egham student Megan Jose, who took part in this year's expedition learnt a lot:

"The highlight of the trip was experiencing a whole different culture and broadening my knowledge of the world. I learnt a lot about life in Kenya and its culture and the hardest part was coming home after seeing the impact we had on one community in just five days."

ACS Egham continues to stay in touch with Bingwa primary school throughout the year and there are plans for the Bingwa's head teacher to visit ACS Egham in the near future.