Concert will boost school in Kenya

Bellshill Salvation Army band members will provide an evening of festive music.

Mathare Kosovo Salvation Army Community School is in a slum district of Nairobi known to be one of the most dangerous areas in the country.

In 2013 the Salvation Army relaunched the existing nursery school. It is one of the few concrete block buildings in the area and utilities such as electricity, water and toilets were installed.

The Salvation Army selects the most vulnerable of children, mostly orphans or from single parent families, who are living in extreme poverty and whose families could never afford a proper education for them.

Over the last two years the Bellshill members have been raising funds to pay the teachers and provide additional security guards. The school has three teachers to teach around 120 pupils.

A spokesman said: “We continue to explore ways to develop a sustainable and long-term solution, but we are grateful for the ongoing support of people which allows the Salvation Army to continue its mission there.

“We also provide the pupils with porridge and a meal at lunchtime. For many this is the only nutritious meal they get.

“Last year we had our first ‘graduation’ from nursery to school and we hope that in the next year some of the students will also take t an exam every pupil needs to pass to get into secondary school.”

Under the leadership of bandmaster Yvonne Ferguson, the band will present a Night of Christmas Music in its community church in Gladstone Street, on Friday, December 9, at 7.30. Entry is free with a collection being taken to raise funds.