Footprints Early Years Academy
Education gives hope to every vulnerable child and offers a footpath out of poverty
Many children in rural Kenya still do not attend school; families are pushed below the poverty line and so, as schools in Kenya are fee paying, many children must forgo education.
Footprints Early Years Academy was established in 2021 to provide free or subsidised vital learning for children between 4 and 11 years. It is situated on the former site of the Footprints Family home, now known as Mama Kerry's Place, and consists of 2 acres of beautiful land at the foot of the Shimba Hills.
Footprints’ school bus collects pupils from the surrounding villages; they receive 2 meals a day, learning resources and a school uniform.
Children who are happy, are children who learn.
Our teachers and staff are trained in the new Competency-Based Curriculum and offer the children a wide and varied range of learning experiences from arts and crafts through to academic core-curricula subjects, which are engaging, fun and appropriately challenging.
The classrooms are bright, well maintained, operationally safe and equipped with a wide variety of learning materials as well as a wonderful library and computer room.
The classroom for the youngest children has its own play and outdoor area enabling their learning and self-awareness to flourish.
The beautiful, extensive grounds allow the children to explore nature. We have swings, a climbing frame the children can run and jump, they also get to take part in nature walks, visit the animals and shamba (small farm) and make the most of the countryside fresh air!
The school has grown from 15 pupils in 2022, to a population of 92 pupils in 2023.
30 of those are fully sponsored by the Footprints Family charity and 25 currently board safely at the school.
During breaks from school (and where it is safe to do so), these children return to their communities with food and personal packages that enable them to spend time with their families while still receiving the essential daily requirements.
By supporting the Footprints Family, these vulnerable children, some who have never been to school before, are now able to attend Footprints Academy. They are getting the quality education they deserve in a safe environment, giving them hope for a better future.
