ILLE Primary School in Turkana

Turkana stands out as one of the last remaining untouched corners of the Earth, a vast and rugged region in northern Kenya where the harsh beauty of the landscape contrasts sharply with the severe challenges its people face.
A persistent drought has ravaged the area, halting food production and driving food prices to exorbitant levels, often costing more than a half-day’s wage for many (World Vision). The ongoing drought, compounded by banditry and political instability, has created an environment where nutritious food is a distant luxury for the majority of the population.

Turkana County remains one of the most food-insecure regions in Kenya, with malnutrition being the most pressing health issue, especially among the children, who suffer from a lack of essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.

The school, nestled in a village by the shores of Lake Turkana, is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Lodwar Town and near a seasonal spring. The school itself is modest, with classrooms made of brick walls and shaded by a few acacia trees. It is equipped with a borehole, which has become a lifeline not just for the school, but for the surrounding community of about 6,000 villagers. This steady water supply has encouraged local families to settle around the school, abandoning their nomadic lifestyles. Over time, the area has evolved into a small town, with homes known as Manyattas, forming a tight-knit, stable community that now relies on the school not only for education but as a cornerstone of their daily survival.

1)Food Drive Project

Ille Primary School in Turkana is launching a vital food drive project aimed at supporting Grade 7 to 9 students, as well as children from pastoralist families whose parents lead nomadic lives.

Many of these children face severe food insecurity due to the ongoing drought and their families’ unstable living conditions. Most children drop out of school to go fishing in Lake Turkana.
This food drive will provide essential foodstuffs to ensure these students can attend school without the distraction and hardship of hunger. By offering nutritious meals, the project will help improve their focus, health, and academic performance. It will also assist pastoralist children who often have limited access to consistent meals due to the transient nature of their families’ lifestyle.

Through this initiative, we aim to create a more stable and supportive learning environment for these vulnerable students, enabling them to continue their education and break the cycle of poverty.

2)Facilities Project – Fully Equipped Classrooms

Ille Primary School in Turkana is undertaking a crucial infrastructure project to renovate 3 classrooms and provide desks and chairs for 150 students.

Classrooms in Turkana, especially in rural areas, often suffer from poor conditions, with overcrowded, dilapidated structures that lack basic facilities such as proper lighting, ventilation, and durable furniture.

The current state of the classrooms at Ille Primary School has significantly impacted the quality of education, making it difficult for students to focus and learn effectively.

This renovation will not only improve the structural integrity of the classrooms but also create a safer, more comfortable learning environment. With the addition of new desks and chairs, each student will have a functional and dedicated space to learn. This project is vital for enhancing the overall educational experience, helping to overcome the infrastructure challenges that are a constant barrier to learning in Turkana, and providing the children of Ille Primary School with the facilities they deserve for a brighter future.

3)Facilities Project – Washrooms

Ille Primary School in Turkana is undertaking a crucial infrastructure project to build 10 new washrooms for boys and girls, addressing a pressing need for improved sanitation facilities.

Sanitation remains a significant challenge in many schools across Turkana and Kenya, where access to clean, functional toilet facilities is often limited. Many schools in rural areas, including those in Turkana, rely on pit latrines, which are inadequate and can pose serious health risks due to poor maintenance and overcrowding.

The lack of proper sanitation facilities can lead to increased absenteeism, especially among girls, who are more vulnerable to hygiene-related issues. This project aims to provide safe, clean, and accessible washrooms for all students, promoting better health and hygiene practices and improving the overall learning environment.

The question remains, though: Should we continue to rely on traditional pit latrines, or is it time to explore more sustainable and hygienic alternatives for schools in rural areas like Turkana? With this project, we hope to set a new standard for sanitation and encourage long-term improvements across the region.

4)Facilities Project – Office Furniture

Ille Primary School in Turkana is embarking on an infrastructure project aimed at improving the working conditions for teachers by providing proper office furniture.

In many rural schools across Turkana and Kenya, teachers often work in environments that lack basic office furniture, such as desks, chairs, and storage solutions. This not only affects their comfort but also limits their ability to plan and organize effectively, impacting the quality of education they are able to deliver.

At Ille Primary School, the current lack of appropriate furniture for the teaching staff has hindered their productivity and overall well-being.
By providing new office furniture, this project will create a more functional and supportive environment for teachers, allowing them to better manage their responsibilities and focus on their students’ success.

This initiative is a crucial step in addressing the broader issue of inadequate teaching environments in rural schools, ultimately helping to improve the quality of education and support for both teachers and students in Turkana.

5)Facilities Project – Kitchen

Ille Primary School in Turkana is undertaking a critical infrastructure project to renovate and upgrade the school’s kitchen facilities.

In many schools across Turkana and Kenya, kitchens are often poorly equipped, overcrowded, and lack basic amenities, making it difficult to prepare nutritious meals for students. At Ille Primary School, the existing kitchen is inadequate and not well ventilated.

A lack of proper facilities compromises food safety, hygiene, and the overall quality of meals provided to students.

This renovation project aims to build a modern, well-equipped kitchen that will enable the school to prepare healthier, safer meals for its students, contributing to their well-being and academic performance. With a functional kitchen, the school can better serve its students, ensuring they have the nourishment they need to focus on their studies.

This project is a key step in addressing the broader challenges faced by schools in rural Kenya, where poor infrastructure often hinders the delivery of quality education and student care.

6)Basic Needs Project – Security (Fence and Gate)

Ille Primary School in Turkana is launching an important infrastructure project aimed at enhancing security by constructing a fence and installing a gate around the school premises.

Security remains a significant concern in many parts of Turkana, where incidents of banditry and communal conflicts are common, posing risks to both students and staff.
The current lack of a proper perimeter fence leaves the school vulnerable to external threats, compromising the safety of everyone on the grounds.

This project will establish a secure environment, helping to protect students from potential harm and providing peace of mind to teachers and parents. A secure school environment is essential for effective learning, as it ensures that students can focus on their education without fear or disruption.
By improving the school’s security infrastructure, this project will not only safeguard the school community, and safeguard investments, but also contribute to a more stable and supportive environment for student learning and growth at the school.

7)Facilities Project – Fully Computer Laboratory

Ille Primary School in Turkana is excited to announce a futuristic infrastructure project aimed at establishing a fully-equipped computer laboratory for its students.

Access to technology remains a significant challenge in many schools across rural Kenya, where resources are limited and digital education opportunities are scarce.
The introduction of a computer laboratory at Ille Primary School will provide students with the vital skills needed to thrive in today’s increasingly digital world.

This project will allow students to learn essential computer literacy, enhancing their academic growth and preparing them for future opportunities in education and the workforce.

With the establishment of this laboratory, the school aims to bridge the digital divide and equip students with the tools they need to succeed in a technology-driven society, offering them a brighter and more empowered future.

8)Kids Day Out Project

LEAF is thrilled to organize exciting school excursions for the children of Ille Primary School in Turkana, offering them the opportunity to visit Nairobi, Mombasa, and some of Kenya’s renowned national parks.

For many of these children, traveling outside their rural community is a rare experience, and they have limited exposure to the rich cultural and natural diversity that Kenya has to offer.

This excursion will provide them with a chance to connect with the broader world, fostering a sense of belonging and expanding their horizons.
In addition to visiting iconic landmarks, the children will have the opportunity to witness Kenya’s diverse wildlife in national parks, an experience that will inspire a sense of pride and deepen their connection to their country Kenya.

By offering this opportunity, we aim to remind these young learners that they are part of a larger, interconnected world, encouraging them to dream beyond their immediate circumstances. This excursion will also promote unity and a sense of shared humanity, as the children see firsthand the different ways of life across Kenya.

We invite you to join us in making this life-changing experience possible for the children of Ille Primary School, helping them to step out of their daily routines and into a world full of possibilities.

9)Go-Green (Tree planting) Project

How many trees do you want to plant? 🙂

Planting trees has been mentioned severally, as one of the most important actions we can do today to ensure the sustainability of the planet, by significantly addressing 4/9 of important boundaries that ensure life:
-Stabilizing the climate,
-Improving Fresh Water,
-Improving Planet Diversity and
-Food production benefits;
Plus highly improving the other sustainability boundaries.

Ille Primary School, located in the arid region of Turkana northwest of Nairobi, is excited to launch its annual Tree Planting (Go-Green) project. Turkana, a region that struggles with extreme drought, water scarcity, and limited green spaces, has faced significant challenges in providing its residents and children with access to natural resources. This makes the tree planting initiative not only a way to combat desertification but also an opportunity to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in the students. Many children in Turkana grow up in difficult conditions, and this project provides them with a rare chance to connect with nature and contribute to improving their environment.

Volunteers will play a vital role in this project by working alongside the students to plant trees and educate them on the importance of trees in combating climate change, providing shade, and improving air quality. The treelings, which will be available on-site, will be planted during the rainy season to ensure their survival. Volunteers will help the students in the exercise, making the experience more engaging and meaningful for all involved.

This project offers volunteers the unique opportunity to contribute to a much-needed environmental cause while gaining an understanding of the challenges facing communities in arid regions. Volunteers will engage in tree planting, educating the children, and helping to build a more sustainable future for the community.

Beyond the immediate impact of planting trees, volunteers will leave with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the Turkana people and the importance of environmental stewardship in even the most challenging environments. This project is an essential part of a global and national movement toward a greener, more sustainable future.