Kenya: Music helps bring harmony to rival tribes

When a group of children from rival tribes, who attend the same remote school in northern Kenya, near the border with Ethiopia, saw a video of Every Breath you Take, by the Police, they decided to do their own version.

After a good practice, led by their own budding Gareth Malone - they made this film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n98cvBPqY4A&feature=share

Todonyang School was set up by Father Steven Ochieng, with support from the charity New Ways, to help reduce cross border clashes between the people on the Kenyan and Ethiopian sides of the border. The school is the first to accept students from both communities.

Fr Steven said: "When children grow up together, working, studying and playing, they are much less likely to fight when they become adults. We are hoping our school will help break down the old animosities and encourage co operation and peace."

There are currently 60 students at the school and many more on the waiting list. Parents contribute what they can but it is not enough to keep their child in boarding school with all that entails during term time. Additional dormitories and classrooms are needed to accommodate the raising demand.

It costs £23 a month to educate a child at the school. In addition education materials for the year are £20 per child and uniforms are £20 per child. The overall budget including the cost of the teaching staff to educate 60 children is £33,000 and New Ways is hoping to raise a further £76,000 to expand the school.

If you would like to make a donation to support these children - please click here:
https://mydonate.bt.com/events/todonyangeducation/96099