After Wangari’s memorable visit to Northampton during the summer, she is now firmly back in harness at the school- now their springtime of course. The exam season is upon them and the children in Years 6 and 9 are busy preparing. For those in year 9, the scramble for senior school places begins in January 2026.
In May we were delighted to welcome Wangari back to her ‘home’ diocese of Northampton for only the second time since she returned to Kenya to open the Sacred Heart School in 2010.
Although it was partly to have a well earned rest, we managed to arrange a packed programme of visits. Wangari was keen to meet and thank the very many people who have supported her over the last 15 years and by the time she left on 26th May I think we can safely say that she did this.
Unbelievably, it is 15 years since Wangari returned to Kenya and opened the Sacred Heart Primary School, in buildings which were basic to say the least.
So many people have supported her and Wangari is visiting Northampton in May this year to thank and meet as many of them as possible-and of course to talk about the children and how we can continue the work.
Dear Friends – a Blessed and happy New Year. Receive our special gratitude from the depths of our hearts. The Sacred Heart School celebrates each one of you – you are our Good News We started this journey together 15 years ago – not to make wealth or operate a business but to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and destitute children.
This has been a difficult term for Wangari on several fronts. First the death of her beloved mother Angelica at the great age of 88 was a moment of great sadness and I am sure that all our supporters will offer their condolences and prayers for the repose of her soul.
Well it finally happened! On Saturday 29th June, 4 fearless but apprehensive young men set off from Brixworth Country Park at 2.00am to walk the 55 miles or 88km or 120,000 steps of the Northampton Round. Preparations were meticulous and pit stop checkpoints arranged. The weather was perfect and I joined them at 6:30 am for the 5km stretch to Yardley Hastings. After the lunchtime stop in Ashton, the temperature started to rise and the afternoon 24 degrees caused the pace to slacken. By the time Bugbrooke was reached, 2 hours behind schedule , it was clear that bodies were suffering and extreme fatigue setting in.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, this year’s major fundraiser will be an epic endurance walk totalling 88 kilometres around Northampton, known unsurprisingly as the Northampton Round. The walk will take place on Saturday 29th June, starting from Brixworth Country Park in the early hours. The walkers intend to complete the walk within 24 hours – 4 intrepid souls have signed up although more may join.
In June this year, a group of intrepid (foolhardy?) supporters intend to walk the ‘Northampton Round’ in aid of the Karuri School Project.
This is a truly epic endurance 55 mile walk along roads, footpaths and bridleways through villages surrounding Northampton, to be completed in a 24 hour period. The walk starts and ends in Brixworth. Exactly how many individuals will be attempting this is not yet clear. More details, including how to sponsor the walkers , will be outlined in the Spring newsletter.
A great deal has happened at the School since the Spring newsletter, following the Kenyan Education Department’s requirements to make the school a Junior High and continuing to take Year 9 students. Work on the new building, which eventually will encompass an Administration office, staff room, IT facilities, Library, Workshop and Science Laboratory has been going on apace. Thanks to your continued support the structure, plastering, tiling and flooring (phase one) has now been completed.
Our first visit to the school was the day we had arrived at Nairobi airport just after midnight. Our arrival heralded the welcome end of a drought; rain from the UK. It is in a sparsely populated area known as Kinangop, which is about 40 minutes’ drive East and uphill from Naivasha to an altitude around 8,000 feet; the air is quite thin! The last ten minutes are along very rough tracks. The local population is subsistence farmers, many living in timber or mud huts, growing crops for themselves and the market, and keeping a few animals. For most it is grinding poverty.