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.
Please also see post: Passing On The Baton for how the balance of Aquinoe’s funds is helping another school in Kenya.