Valley Academy operates within the premises of a Church, which has leased their prayer hall on the weekdays from 8am-4pm to Valley. Parents, mostly from very low-income families, that can afford the childrens' school fees pay KSh. 1,500 per (USD $15) term.

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• Inability to afford school fees: Teachers raised the concern that some of the parents cannot afford to pay their child’s school fees. Other parents find it difficult to buy the school uniform (KSh. 2,000). Nonetheless the teachers assured us that students are yet allowed to attend class.

 

• Lack of studying and playing material: Since the children come from very poor backgrounds, parents find it very difficult to spend their money on books and stationery. On our first visit we noticed that most of the learning material was drawn innovatively on sacks and hung on clotheslines across the room. Class tests are performed on cardboard cut-outs and most students are made to share stationery. The centre does not have any items that would help nurture the creative abilities of the students e.g. colour pencils, educational toys. The property has an empty grass field on which the children play during break time. However, the only playing materials they have are footballs made from plastic bags that the boys play with from time to time.

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• Inability to afford school fees: Teachers raised the concern that some of the parents cannot afford to pay their child’s school fees. Other parents find it difficult to buy the school uniform (KSh. 2,000). Nonetheless the teachers assured us that students are yet allowed to attend class.

 

• Lack of studying and playing material: Since the children come from very poor backgrounds, parents find it very difficult to spend their money on books and stationery. On our first visit we noticed that most of the learning material was drawn innovatively on sacks and hung on clotheslines across the room. 

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• Going hungry at school: When possible, the children are fed one meal at lunchtime which is usually rice and cabbage or rice and beans. This would suggest there are times when the children go hungry which in turn affects their ability to concentrate during lessons. There are no snacks or fruits for the children unless packed for them by their parents/guardians.

 

• No first-aid available: No first-aid kit in the centre meaning a child is taken to a nearby health centre in case of an emergency. This would disrupt class as a teacher would have to escort the child to the health centre and back.

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