The Alex & Matthias Hopman-Ruh Uaso Nyiro Primary School in Laikipia East District, Kenya, was all jubilations during its official opening earlier this year. Songs and dances by the students and members of the local community coloured the much awaited ceremony which was graced by various community leaders from the area.

The school, one of Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s Community Development projects, was built on a 5 acre piece of land which had been purchased using the government’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The actual construction of the school was started off with funding from a private donor, Mr. Laurent Hopman, who donated USD 40,000. The Project Kenya Sister Schools (PKSS), a Canadian partnership that raises funds for development of schools around Laikipia, donated USD 10,000. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy donated USD 26,000 which was raised through the annual Cricket in the Wild Tournament. The Conservancy also provided the construction team.

The school neighbours Ol Pejeta on its northern boundary, adjacent to “Depatas” shopping centre, and caters for children from the pastoralists’ communities occupying the Northern Approaches and those from the Depatas centre. All the above donations went towards the construction of four classrooms, six toilets and fencing for the school.
The Guest of Honor at the official opening, District Commissioner, Laikipia East, was represented the District Officer, Central, Mrs. Carol Nziwi. Other dignitaries present included His Worship the Mayor of Nanyuki, Mr. Isaac Irura, the District Education Officer, Councillors and Chiefs from Laikipia. Present from Ol Pejeta were the C.E.O. Mr. Richard Vigne, and various members of the management team.

Mrs. Halima Mohammed, who is a parent at the school and the Chairperson of the School Management Committee, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the parents and the community in general, “… We are very grateful to the donors who have made this school a reality for our children. This will make a big difference in their future and in the future of the entire community…”.