Back in 2015, just before Word Forest’s creation, the co-founders, Simon and Tracey West raised funds to build their first classroom at Kundeni Primary School. The school had only one decent classroom at the time, along with a handful of other ramshackle buildings dotted around the grounds, most of which were condemned. The school had around 300 children on the register, many of whom slept on the premises because it was too far to walk to.
When the first Word Forest classroom was handed over to the Headmaster in summer of 2016, he and the children were absolutely delighted. In December 2016, following more successful fundraising by Simon and Tracey, work on the construction of the second classroom began.
As an innovative reforestation initiative they also planted 4,000 trees per classroom built, either on the school compound or very nearby, which in a few short years would give shade and protection from the weather, reduce damage from flooding, provide safe habitats for wildlife, produce fruit and nuts for the children and clean the air we breathe all over the world.
Fast forward to summer 2025, and Word Forest has taken on the responsibility to give the two classrooms a thorough refresh. Our Kenyan team visited Kundeni Primary school to find out what was needed, and now both classrooms have had floor repairs, wall repairs, painting inside and out, roof repairs, and new heat reflective white roofs.
In 2023 Word Forest built a new classroom at our Permaculture Training Centre in Garashi, and after consultation with our Kenyan team, painted the metal roof white. We collected data for two weeks, and were delighted to discover that the white roof had lowered the temperature inside by six degrees celcius. Now all classroom maintenance projects, and new classroom builds will include white roofs as they improve the lives of the students and teachers alike with the lower temperature, reducing the risk of overheating, and helping concentrate levels.
In addition, a further 4,000 fruit and nut saplings (2,000 per classroom maintained) have been gifted to Kundeni School, bringing the total forested area to 12,000 trees. In time the additional forest of cropping trees of mango, cashew, neem and moringa will have an annual abundance of fruit and nuts giving the school children and teachers nutritious meals.
The headmaster at Kundeni Primary School reported a 14% increase in exam results, and increased school enrollment when the classrooms were initially built. With careful maintenance we can make sure that for 20 years or more, children can enjoy the same benefits.
Next on our fundraising agenda is our campaign 🎄 A Classroom for Christmas 🎄 Plase help us raise £20,000 by 31st December to build another brand-new classroom in Kenya. Together, we can give even more children the space to learn, grow, and thrive.
Sue Jueno and The Team