Aquinoe Learning Centre Charitable Trust Closes
After nearly 20 years, the trustees have reluctantly closed the charity. Since the Covid pandemic the school has been unable to recruit sufficient fee-paying children to ensure its future.
The charity suggested several measures that the school could put in place, but unfortunately the school could not implement them, and became almost totally reliant on the UK charity money. Despite our supporters’ amazing generosity, the charity’s income is insufficient to run the school; it was always intended that the school should be self-sufficient for the basics, whilst the charity would “make a difference” by providing “extras”.
Aquinoe Chair Jean Thompson says; “The trustees are extremely sad at the closure”.
Founded in 2004, Aquinoe raised over £250,000 for the Aquinoe Learning Centre, upgrading facilities and helping large numbers of children and staff.
Over the years, apart from buildings for teaching, physiotherapy, special needs and a canteen, new dormitories were also built.
Other items financed have included furniture, toilets, showers, books, mosquito nets, physiotherapy aids, sports equipment and a water harvesting system.
Capping it all, a solar power system was installed in 2016 and later upgraded.
How the balance of Aquinoe’s funds is helping another school in Kenya.
After nearly 20 years, the Aquinoe Learning Centre Charitable Trust has run its course but has been able to hand on £8,700 to another charity supporting a school in Kenya - the Destiny Garden School, in Mombasa. Destiny Children - A Charity Sponsoring Children's Education in Kenya
Destiny Children is a UK charity with 100 percent of sponsor and donor funds, including gift aid, going to support the school.
The Aquinoe trustees are extremely sad at the closure, but happy that we have found a Kenyan school with a similar ethos to Aquinoe, to pass on the remaining funds. Destiny Children is now hoping to become an inclusive school, by welcoming children with disabilities.
With the funds from Aquinoe, Destiny Children is already planning facilities for children with disabilities: ramps for classrooms, specialist toilet, dining shelter and library. Five extra computers, footballs and stationery are also on the agenda.
Some funds will also go to the charity's emergency pot which had to be emptied recently for a new water tank and to repair fencing. Flooding in late May also hit the nursery compound.
Destiny Children has moved swiftly to use the funds from Aquinoe and work has already started on a new unisex disabled toilet.
Staff who have not had a pay rise since 2018 and are struggling with Kenya's inflation rate of around eight per cent will also be offered a five percent bonus.