Locked out from school

Hello. Greetings from Kimilili. Over two hundred pupils reported back this year for the new school year.  We also received over 30 new applicants from needy children. Unfortunately, we could not admit any of them because the health officer's instruction did not allow further strains on our school sanitation and lighting. We opened the school yesterday with a ceremony, only to stand before locked doors this morning. Or landlord suddenly decided to close us off from the facilities.

We have been trying to convince our landlord to make the necessary changes to the school facilities for months now. The health authorities have been very patient, but firm in their requirements. Most immediate need is the insignificant situation with latrines. We only have one and this is completely unacceptable both from a hygiene point of view and as a health risk.  

Our landlord has problems with alcohol and is irrational and unreliable in his behaviour. We have made repeated efforts to come to an agreement with him about the school facilities, even offering to supply the materials and labour. Yet, for every meeting he says yes, there is a meeting he changes to no.  

After much discussion with the CBSM guardians and community leaders, we have finally accepted the fact that the only solution we have for our dilemma is to relocate and build a temporary school on another plot of land. Fortunately, a community member has offered us a plot of land rent free for this purpose until we can find the funding for purchase of land and build our own school.  

When we were evacuated from Nairobi at the beginning of last year, we knew our present facilities were only temporary. We were hoping to rent for a longer period of time, so that the children could recover from their trauma and we could raise funds to build a new school and orphanage. Now, it seems as our fate is to find temporary facilities again.  

We are looking for emergency funding (1,500 USD) for the materials to build these temporary facilities. The materials needed are corrugated iron sheeting, lumber and nails. The community has kindly offered to supply all necessary labour.

Please, if you know of anyone who could help us in our present crisis, we would be ever so thankful for your assistance.