Six Schools in Six Communities in Six Years
Since its modest beginnings The Kipungani Schools Trust has gone on to build six schools in six communities in six years.
| Schools colour | School year | Project | Number of pupils | Cost |
 |
2001 | Kipungani | 104 | £19,000 |
 |
2002 | Mungano | 167 | £21,000 |
 |
2003 | Marikebuni | 385 | £30,000 |
 |
2004 | Mutandoni | 366 | £22,000 |
 |
2005 | Adu | 1,400 | £50,000 |
 |
2006 | Teiwa | 256 | £20,000 |
 |
2007 | Ramada | TBC |
Mary Jo and Louis van Aardt
None of this would have been possible without Mary Jo van Aardt and her husband Louis who have spent all their lives in Africa. Full of the practical kindness and integrity that Africa so badly needs, Mary Jo has been a very effective project manager for all six schools. She oversees The Kipungani Schools Trust in Kenya with rigor and transparency, ensuring that all the projects are completed successfully, within budget and most importantly are free from corruption and bribery, the bane of African society. Mary-Jo only employs local builders and craftsmen, and wherever possible sources the building materials locally as well. With all of the trusts projects she has persuaded parents and local people to volunteer. The result is that although the schools often take longer to complete they are completed at a far lower cost and with far greater benefit to the local community.
