When it don’t rain

The Summit Schools of Maragua, central Kenya, face an uncertain future. Last year’s semi-drought cut yields in the surrounding smallholding – or “Shamba” – reducing that provides the bulk of the children’s food. In good years, the Shamba has produced a surplus support the local community and provide supplemental school income.
The cost of bought-in food rose, increasing the Schools’ costs. Faced with higher food prices throughout the Kenyan economy, many parents found they were unable to pay even the subsidized fees Summit charges to non-orphans.
Many had to withdraw their children and settle for “public schools” with class sizes of 80-plus. This unplanned reduction in pupilage followed the school’s decision to make boarding at the secondary school available to girls only. The double whammy hit secondary school numbers hard.
While modest October rains arrived to stave off immediate disaster, the water table remains low. Higher food costs and lower school income continue to threaten the secondary schools’ survival. And now the rain is coming all at once creating new challenges.