August 2004: A U.S. team travels to Kenya to explore and identify projects designed to help destitute children
May 2005: Seven-acre parcel acquired for development
2005 – 2007: Initial fundraising efforts
August 2007: Groundbreaking
September 2007: Construction begins
December 2008: Construction of Phase 1 completed
January 2009: “Pioneer” class of 35 students enters school
Spring 2009: Vegetable gardens planted
August 2009: Dedication and Grand Opening Ceremony
Building the Dream
January 2010: Second academic year begins with 73 students
Spring 2010: Electrical grid/high-tension power lines connected and relocated off of school grounds
May 2010: First annual Prize Day Ceremony/Staff Recognition Day
July 2010: Two dairy heifers acquired
July 2010: First annual Sports Day held
November 2010: Greenhouse erected
January 2011: Third academic year begins with 130 students
Spring 2011: Rooftop water catchment system and two underground cisterns completed
May 2011: First annual Community Service Day
July 2011: Guest quarters for on-site volunteers completed
July 2011: Faculty residence cottage completed/dedicated
September 2011: Third dairy cow acquired
October 2011: First two calves born in dairy unit; fourth dairy cow acquired;
January 2012: Fourth academic year begins with 189 students
Present Years
January 2012: Fourth academic year begins with 150 students
March 2012: Third annual Prize Giving Day
April 2012: Chicken rearing initiated
May 2012: Second annual Community Service and Founder’s Day celebrated
May 2012: Two calves born
June 2012:
First visit by American Friends of Kenya (AFK)
AFK leads health and education workshops for NMS staff and community educators and leaders
November 2012:
First participation in 4th grade district exams
NMS scored 3rd overall among 50 schools
NMS students earned 3 of the top 10 scores (out of more than 2,800 district candidates)
January 2013: Fifth academic year begins with 215 students
February 2013: New two-story classroom building completed; one room becomes first NMS library
February 2013: Pig sty completed and piglets acquired
March 2013: Rabbit hutch completed
March 2013: New ablution facilities completed for day students
August 2013:
Second visit by American Friends of Kenya (AFK)
AFK education team led conference for NMS staff and AFK network leaders from western Kenya
AFK library team held workshop for NMS teachers and library volunteers and participated in a community library day
AFK medical team offers health screening to community members
August 2013: First biodigester installed to convert animal waste into methane gas for cooking and fertilizer for vegetable gardens
August 2013: Two rabbits acquired
September 2013: Each class, from grade 1 through 5, assigned a portion of land to farm
November 2013:
Second participation in 4th grade district exams
NMS scored 2rd overall among 54 schools
A female NMS student earned the highest score (out of 2,838 district candidates)
November 2013:
First participation in 5th grade district exams
NMS scored 3rd overall among 54 schools
NMS students earned 6 of the top 10 scores (out of 2,222 district candidates)
January 2014: Sixth academic year begins with more than 250 students
Spring 2014: Completion of additional two-story academic building; second floor houses NMS computer lab
Fall 2014: Acquisition of additional land for future faculty housing units
January 2015: Seventh academic year begins with 271 students
January 2015: Completion of new girls dormitory first floor
October 2015: Completion of house for Head Teacher
January 2016: Eighth academic year begins with 325 students
June 2016: Completion of guest house
November 2016: First class of eighth graders graduated; all were accepted to and began high school in January 2017
November 2017: Another class of eighth graders graduated; superb scores on national exam; all were accepted to and began high school in January 2018
The Future
This is where we need your help! Every donation we receive is providing us greater means not just to sustain, but grow, Nambale Magnet to greater heights then we originally dreamed.