School Communities Fundraise for a Local Housing Project in Muhoroni, Kenya

During the Advent period, pupils and families from St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Wallsend, and St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, Bedlington, took part in a shared fundraising and learning project connected to the community of Muhoroni, Kenya.

The project followed a visit to Muhoroni by Executive Headteacher Laura Fallon and Miss Clark from St Bernadette’s, which focused on listening, learning and gaining a deeper understanding of daily life within the local context. The visit was supported by local partners and community organisations, including the Muhoroni People’s Foundation, who are working within the area to address housing and wellbeing needs identified by the community itself.

During the visit, Mrs Fallon and Miss Clark spent time with children, families and local partners, learning about housing conditions in some areas of Muhoroni. In parts of the community, homes are constructed from corrugated metal, mud and wood, and do not have windows, solid floors or reliable access to water. Flooding can cause damage to walls and structures, and cold night-time temperatures present further challenges for families living in these conditions.

The visit also provided insight into what constitutes a safe and secure home within this context, including shelter with windows, a stable roof and floor, access to water, and space to grow food. The Muhoroni People’s Foundation has already supported the construction of three such homes, providing safer accommodation for women and children.

Following the visit, pupils were invited to reflect on what they had learned and to consider how fundraising could contribute in a meaningful and respectful way. As part of an Advent fundraising mission, the two school communities set themselves the ambitious goal of raising £3,000 in three weeks to contribute towards the construction of an additional safe home through local partners in Muhoroni.

Through a combination of school-led fundraising activities and individual family donations, this target was not only reached but exceeded. In total, £3,700 was raised, with contributions coming from parents, carers and pupils themselves. The funds were formally presented to Father David.

In addition to this, further fundraising and generosity from the school communities significantly increased the overall impact of the project. £1,219 was raised through the sale of handmade baskets and angels, created in Muhoroni by women trained and paid through the Muhoroni People’s Foundation, supporting sustainable livelihoods within the community. A further £500 donation was also received and allocated towards sponsoring a child into education. Together, these contributions brought the total amount raised to £5,419, extending the reach of the project to support housing, education and community-led employment initiatives in Muhoroni.

Alongside financial contributions, families generously donated practical items including books, pens, crayons, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Other financial donations also enabled everyday essentials to be purchased locally, ensuring that support aligned with identified community needs and local supply.

Across both schools, Mrs Fallon shared reflections and photographs from the visit with pupils, prompting thoughtful discussion and a strong sense of compassion and responsibility. The experience has supported wider learning around global citizenship, dignity, and the importance of responding to need through listening, respect and partnership.