Developing the Vocational School

Our first goal was to acquire some land for the new school. This 24 hectare plot became available and we managed to secure it for just £60,000. This satellite image shows the land with the completed Phase 1 building.

This architects image from the survey shows the area acquired more clearly although most of the boundaries are visible in the google map image above

We appointed a team of architects who drew up a master plan and managed the planning permission application. This phase cost £10,000

The master plan will allow us to develop simple phases slowly whilst maintaining the integrity of the big vision.

Buildings 4 and 5 on this diagram have been built as a first phase. Eventually this whole block will become a community learning centre but, for now, it houses the first intake of the school in purpose built classrooms.

Supporters mobilise to raise the £120,000 necessary to complete Phase 1. Our elite cyclist team completed the John O’Groats to Land’s End megathon to raise over £30,000 towards the total needed.

Two successful summer balls enabled us to raise another £20,000 with good food, dancing and auctions. Fundraising can be fun.

A team of local workers under the supervision of our own Kigali architect begins the work. We have specified that all construction work must be carried out to British Standards.

Regular monitoring visits ensures that the building is built on time and within budget.

The phase is ready to be used by students for their school year beginning January 2014. 37 students begin the first year.

Staff, pupils and parents at Sarum Academy, Salisbury raised funds so that they could send the old furniture from their old school to the school in Kigali. The equipment would have been wasted otherwise.

The new furniture was delivered safely and has given the school some of the best looking classrooms in Kigali. Let the lessons begin.