News – find out what we’ve been up to
From Cradle to University – Winston’s story
The very first sound I made upon arriving in this world was not a cry of distress but anannouncement—a bold declaration that I was alive and here to shake things up. It was a sound that sent my mother into relief, affirming that her months of endurance had paid off....
Change is upon us
Over recent years the Kenyan government has been making major changes to the school system, introducing a ‘Competency-based Curriculum’ (CBC) structure. These are fundamental and one key aspect will see secondary school children able to specialise in one of three...
Rise to Shine
Our work in Kenya operates with support from a number of key partnerships, one of which is the Rise to Shine Education Foundation. RTSEF was set up by Bakhitah Akoth, who we have known since 2014 and has become a key contact in our scholarship programme. Bakhitah has...
Michael’s story
Michael left Mundeku Primary School in western Kenya in 2013 with 372 points, an A- grade and was looking forward to secondary school. However, like many families locally, the school fees would present an impossible challenge to his family. The Red Rubber Ball...
James
James joined Sigalame High School in Busia, near to the border of Kenya with Uganda, having scored 369 in his primary school exams (the equivalent of a B+). A Red Rubber Ball Foundation scholarship allowed him to complete the four years at secondary school and James...
Kenya Finance Bill and demonstrations – what’s happening?
The Kenyan economy is in a very poor state. Meaningful employment is hard to come by even for graduates, let alone school leavers. Many people are driven to the informal sector, to set up ‘side hustles’ to earn enough income to survive. So many families still earn...
John L’s story
The story of John L is intrinsically linked with the story of The Red Rubber Ball Foundation. It was during a visit to Mundeku Primary School in 2010 that Neil became aware of the challenges faced by families trying to pay for their children to attend secondary...
Flooding in Kenya
Recent weeks have seen major flooding across Kenya. Many homes have been affected as rains have proved much heavier than usual due to the El Niṅo weather pattern. The rainy season began in early March and has continued almost every day since, with further impact from...
Julius’s story
Julius comes from a small village called Emarenyo, in Butere near to our farming project. He began his schooling at Emarenyo Primary School in the nursery and in 2012 he scored 292 out of 500 in the KCPE primary school exams. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to move on...