A Protective Wall for St. Christopher Fischer Academy
Some walls have to fall, others have to be built.
The Academy’s school grounds, which cover around 900 square metres, were until recently only makeshift fenced in with sheet metal panels. Apart from marking a visual boundary, they offered no protection at all, especially as the panels fell over in the wind. This gave both animals and thieves easy access. In bad weather, “guards” even had to be posted.
All this made teaching more difficult. When our volunteer Brigitte Lindenhofer visited the school in November 2025, she was confronted with this situation. She then initiated the “Security Wall” project.
School playground with the sheet metal fence in the background
The sheet metal fence from outside – a cow waiting for access to the school garden
Starting the project and financial planning
After much discussion, the decision was made to build a solid stone wall around the entire plot, as only this would provide sufficient security.
Our well-connected team member Jerusa Muthoni offered to lead the project.
She put together a small team of an engineer and several craftsmen and got started at a rapid pace. A first cost estimate was rejected; a second came to a lower figure of 10,000 euros for materials and labour.
Jasmine pulled out all the stops to meet this challenge: at that point, the school’s donation account still held 3,200 euros. Over the following months, almost 1,700 euros more came in from private donors and a foundation. The largest share, however – 5,250 euros – was contributed by our Nyendo schools in Prien and Rosenheim.
What an achievement!
Ordering materials – with challenges
With this budget, Jerusa was able to get going and order the materials. However, she had to take a few obstacles into account:
As fuel prices were rising daily in Kenya too, high transport costs could be saved by placing one large order. But there was no storage space for such quantities of material.
And then there was the ongoing school routine, which was to be disrupted as little as possible during the construction work. A challenging project.
The sand has been delivered – head teacher Veronica in the background
The foundation stones take up a lot of space
Oh dear, the gravel still has to be unloaded too
Finally, work begins!
On 2 July the time had finally come and construction could begin. Here in Kenya, everything on a building site is still done by hand; there are hardly any machines. Even so, the “fundis” (as craftsmen are called here) managed to complete the wall in just 21 days through incredible hard work. An impressive commitment thanks to teamwork!
Mixing cement
Digging the trench for the foundations
Filling the first foundations
The first side of the wall takes shape
8 July 2026 – The first side is finished
21 July 2026 – The wall from outside with the entrance to the school grounds
A construction project within the original budget – a remarkable achievement!
Buying the building materials in bulk was a big challenge, but it paid off. The savings made this way meant that the original budget could be kept. That is the case for very few construction projects anywhere in the world!
Including all additional costs, NYENDO.LERNEN ultimately provided €10,166.
This success would not have been possible without our team member Jerusa Muthoni. We owe it to Jerusa’s efficient planning, careful coordination and the smooth communication between the school management, the engineer and the construction team.
She was able to keep disruption to lessons to a minimum while ensuring the safety of students and staff.
“HAND IN HAND” we can achieve a lot of good
This project is a wonderful example of how students’ learning environment can be lastingly improved through genuine partnership, a shared vision and commitment.
The newly completed security wall will provide St. Christopher Fischer Academy with lasting protection and a sense of security for many years to come.
The project has also opened doors for our engineer, Mr Wasiki. Now that his craftsmanship has gained recognition in the community, he has already received further building contracts. Commitment pays off.
A reason to celebrate
After the school holidays, the “Security Wall” was officially inaugurated on 18 September 2026. Teachers and students from the other partner schools also attended and joined in with dances and games.
Students, teachers and Nyendo team members from Germany also took part via Zoom. Anais, Paula and Rosa from Prien, who spent two weeks in Kenya in September, were able to attend in person as “guests of honour”.
Dancing to celebrate the day
The 3 students from Prien as “special guests”
“Playtime” during the celebration – with part of the “Security Wall” in the background
TOGETHER we created a remarkable project, and TOGETHER everyone was able to enjoy a wonderful day.