Susan Saleeba with her students
were drawn up by a Perth architect , Tony Casella , volunteering his time , listening to all my needs and wants for a school , and giving me a paper version of my dream , which was on the way to finally becoming reality .
We poured our first bucket of handmixed cement into our footings in March 2013 . Eventually our school building grew to two stories and included 8 classrooms , an ablution block , kitchen / dining room , administration office , orphanage and a homestay area so that volunteers could come to give their time and stay free of charge , with no exorbitant costs . Word of our work spread , and donations slowly came in .
The building of our school – Gabriels Learning Centre / Orphanage – was funded by large and small donations from those friends that believed in my dream , helped me through my days of despair and frustration , and soothed me during late night phone calls and ‘ what am I doing ’ outbreaks .
On July 2nd 2014 , Adam and Sarah – direct descendants of Gabriel – officially opened my school . My own children were giving back to the children of one of the worst slums in Nakuru , Kenya called Kaptembwa ; it was our new home for the future of so many children .
It is now 2017 , and we are educating 300 children ; we will cap our number at 500 in two years . Our orphanage is completed and provides a secure and much loved home to 50 orphans . We have a 3-acre farm to grow our much needed food , and provide 1,800 meals per week . Our volunteer homestay programme is highly successful , with repeat visits from so many volunteers from all over the world . We currently have 24 Kenyan staff , and care for over 400 families in the community providing housing , food and medical assistance .
Starting with just an idea , we actually do save lives , and we see that education is the way forward . My life is completely different now . I am no longer married , living with my two dogs , working from my garage and not able to afford those little luxuries that were once enjoyed . It is a far better life , and such an amazing journey I am on . Each time I return to Kenya and enter our school through the brightly yellow painted gates I hear hundreds of voices calling “ Mumma Susan ”. Yes , there are still sleepless nights , and many personal losses experienced along the way , but would I do it all over again ? Yes !
Find out more about Susan ’ s work , and read how you can help , at www . nakuruhope . org .
ISSUE 2 : JAN - MAR 2017 45