Javea restores hope for Nairobi school

JAVEA’S community has raised thousands to support a small school in Nairobi, offering a lifeline to children in one of the poorest areas of Kenya.

Students at the Xabia International College (XIC) have been raising funds for the Hope Restoration Centre (HRC) for several years since music teacher Abi Fletcher became involved in the project, and a recent non-uniform day and cake sale saw a further €338 raised. 

HRC is a small school located in Kibera, Nairobi, one of the largest slums in the world. It is run by Pastor Laighdon Agega, and in 2009, Abi Fletcher heard about the school after her friend Helen became involved and took over the fundraising. Between them, with Helen in the UK and Abi on the Costa Blanca, they work to continue the operations in Nairobi. 

Abi said the support by XIC and the community has really made a difference to the lives of the children at HRC. 

“The school is really involved and the children have taken it in and always want photos. They give me toys to take over and then want to see photos of them with their new owners at Hope and it is really lovely,”  Abi explained.

Abi has been to Nairobi four times and tries to get over every year to monitor progress at the school and see how the pupils are developing. 

She said: “Helen and I are regular visitors to HRC and literally take the money over with us along with donations of clothes, toys and the children’s favourite: lollipops! Any extra money is always spent with us present so that we can see what it is being spent on. It is so nice to see them and see the difference we are making. It is very satisfying but it can be highly emotional. This year’s trip in April felt very positive; they had taken on all the tips we gave them and it really felt like a school.”