Kenya
Daily Nation
Friday, August 16, 2002
Tourists to sponsor children at Phil Collins-sponsored school
By NATION Correspondent
A primary school sponsored by British musician Phil Collins has received a one-year school fees sponsorship from tourists.
The more than 100 pupils of Shariani Primary School in Kilifi District will receive Sh260,000 beginning January next year. The money was donated by four British tourists, who recently stayed in the neighbourhood of the school and pledged to support it.
The school's patron, Mr Derek Pope, said Mr Danny Gillen and his wife had sponsored 60 pupils, while Dr S. Scott and his friend, Mr J. Putsman, will support more than 30 pupils.
This is the first time tourists have assisted pupils in the school, which is currently undergoing a major renovation funded by Phil Collins through his Little Dreams Charity, Mr Pope said.
The institution's expansion programme would increase its enrolment from the current 960 pupils to 1,500, he said.
Mr Pope said that the expansion, which includes the construction of a library and new staff toilets, was expected to be completed in November.
The library will receive books from British and American sponsors, he disclosed, adding that students of the nearby Shariani Secondary School and residents of the surrounding villages would be free to use it.
Mr Collins, who has never visited the school, is expected to attend its official opening, Mr Pope said.