Bikeke community in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya, has a very humble setting. All the drivers of Kenya love it here. Within 15 square kilometres there are over 20,000 people. Most of them are so much affected with poverty, illiteracy, witchcraft, drunkenness, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS-related cases. According to Trans-Nzoia County government statistics, out of every 10 people, 4 are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and STDs. Following such issues, there is a high rate of deaths in this community. In some homes, both parents have died leaving children alone and most needy. 65 percent are either illiterate or semi-literate. 70 percent are living below the poverty line. There are people who cannot afford $1 a day. Most of them are peasants.
The population in government public schools is too congested. The ratio of teacher to pupils is 1:60 or 3:190. Following this trend, the quality of basic education is compromised so much. From 5 local primary schools which admit more than 700 pupils to examinations for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, less than 200 manage to pass examinations. The remaining are left in the community to look after their own survival. School dropout from both primary and secondary is so high. Many of these children are being subjected to hard labour and early marriages. Abortion is not left out as a growing business to add to the social ills in the community.
The community has one health centre which has no basic equipment and without drugs for treatment. The clinic attendants mostly administer pain killers only to most patients. When you are here as a pastor, you feel overwhelmed by these challenges. This is the foundation that brought the vision of Liberty Schools.
We are 14 years old since we got started. We have a pre-primary section which is PP1 and PP2, a primary which is grade 1–6, and a junior secondary school which is grade 7–9.
Our population has decreased after COVID-19, and now stands at 230 kids, with 50% being in the category of total orphans, partial orphans and extremely needy children.
How we support the 50% is through both local and foreign well-wishers. Both individuals and organisations can support our school. We registered Bikeke Liberty Foundation to be able to receive such donations. We are not a profit-making organisation.
Organisations can help with provision of land expansions, construction of infrastructure, donate water or help us to raise food locally to feed our children. Other donations could be stationary, uniforms, iPads, computers, etc.
We appreciate those standing with us. May God bless you.