By the end of January, most of the planned accommodation for the team at the Rudolf Steiner School in Mbagathi had been completed. “We are deeply grateful for this support, which enables our team to live in a beautiful and much-needed home,” wrote headteacher Judith Brown and financial administrator Neema Kahiga in their final report.

The road to this point, however, was not without difficulty: the main contractor died completely unexpectedly in early February 2025. His death left a huge void, not only on a personal level but also in terms of organisation. The contract with the company had to be terminated and the relevant insurance procedures dealt with. Ultimately, the school had to find a new construction firm. Only then could the work continue.

Now, however, most of the houses have been occupied and the keys handed over: for example, to the cook Erick and to Joseph, who drives one of the school buses. Anthony and Mutua, who work in the school garden, have also been able to move into their new accommodation.

The benefits for the staff are immediately apparent. “I can’t wait to move in,” Erick had said earlier. “I have to be in the kitchen at 5 am every morning – living on the school grounds means the children’s breakfast is always ready on time.”

Caretaker Mutie describes his move as a great relief. “The old, corrugated iron accommodation was unbearably hot in the sun and often freezing cold in the rainy season.” The new stone houses also offer greater protection against snakes.

The construction was supported, among other things, by donations from the Friends of Waldorf Education. “This support not only improves living conditions – it strengthens our entire school life,” said Judith Brown and NeemaKahiga in their report at the end of January.