Paignton couple’s eight-year mission leads to new school for 200 children in Kenya

A Paignton couple have returned home after opening a new school in a Kenyan slum for 200 street kids and special needs children. 

Dawn and Martin Harris set up the charity eight years ago. The partnership started when Dawn, who was on an insight trip in Nairobi with the charity Compassion, had a five-minute encounter with this amazing woman who was trying to rescue special needs children and give them an education. 

When Dawn first met her, she was so moved by the makeshift shack which Roseanne the teacher had built herself Dawn came back to the UK determined to help her. 

Dawn, herself a special needs teacher at Mayfield School in Torquay, was so upset when she asked the African teacher what they needed and she replied water.

Dawn said: “I thought she would say books and resources, but they didn’t even have water, so when I came back I did a sponsored cycle with my pupils and raised £400 to purchase a water tank for them. 

“All our friends thought I was mad sending money out to a woman in Africa I had only met for five minutes, but she sent back pictures of her tank and that is how our friendship began.”

The following half-term Martin and Dawn went back out to Kenya and worked in the school for a week, something they have done every year for the last eight years. 

Martin, who works as a music teacher and is also artistic director of Unleashed Theatre Company in Torquay, said: ‘Over the years we have gone out every year and run art and music workshops with the kids and we have really got to know the family. 

“We have paid to prop up the school, put in electricity, security, bought new furniture and now we also send out money to pay the teachers. 

“The Kenyan government does not recognise or fund the school as children with additional needs are not given an education and indeed.

“They have even tried to close them down. In the last five years we have been raising funds through our supporters and fundraising events to get enough money to buy a new fit for purpose school. 

“It has taken us a long time, but last year we found a derelict school, bought the land, navigated the corruption and secured a fit for purpose school which is so much bigger and better and can accommodate the now 200 children.”

Dawn said: “Six years ago,Roseanne said to me ‘one day we will open a new school and you will bring your grandchildren for the opening’

“Unbelievably with the massive support of our followers and friends that is exactly what we did.

“It was so humbling and we are so grateful to our many supporters who have made this happen.

“We had a massive party and feast, people made bunting and gave bags of gifts for all the children which we took out and best of all, two bishops, a local councillor and the Minister for Education came to the opening

“They now acknowledge the school’s existence and have said they will support them in kind, not financially, but that’s a big step forward.”

If you would like to support this project please email: dawnharris63@hotmail.co.uk