Life at Rossholme.

In the heart of Nairobi's Kiambiu, in what was previously a corrugated tin and breeze-block building, we have now established a purpose built school as a
beacon of hope for 525 children.

Portrait of Joyce Aruga, headteacher of Rossholme School in Kenya

A Safe Haven

The Kiambiu slum is a challenging environment for a child to grow up in. Rossholme provides a safe, structured space where children aged 3 to 12 can simply be children.

Beyond a robust primary education, we provide two critical meals a day: a free breakfast and a free lunch. For many of our pupils, these are the only meals they will eat all day. Nourishment is the foundation of learning; you cannot teach a
hungry child.

Under the leadership of Headteacher Joyce Aruga, the school has grown from just six children in 2016 to a bustling community of 525 eager learners.

Partners in Progress

We don't do this alone. Rossholme works closely with vital
partners to expand our impact.

East Africa Children's Project (EACP)

Charity No. 1136340

We have established a close and useful link with East Africa Children’s Project (EACP), a UK based charity, No 1136340. They have been very supportive of Rossholme and funded the installation of solar panels in the school and then donated money for 300 much needed, new locker desks. EACP then helped us to achieve our £25,000 Campaign to raise money for the acquisition of the land and property within the Kiambiu Slum where Rossholme is currently located.

“We empower deprived children in East Africa to escape debilitating and persistent poverty through education, training and health awareness. Working together with our local long-term trusted partners, who are passionate community leaders, we draw on their initiative and knowledge to improve the life prospects of very poor children. By cultivating a sense of ownership, as well as promoting accountability and responsibility, we seek to achieve real long-term sustained change”.

Their Chairman, Pieter Lagaay, has himself visited Rossholme in Nairobi and, having been very impressed with our Headteacher, Joyce Aruga, the school, its staff and pupils and what it has to offer, EACP are continuing to offer support.

UK Address: 2 Eastfield Crescent Brighton BN1 8EL
Website: eacpcharity.com

Tushinde

means "We succeed" in Kiswahili

Providing Family Support To Help Vulnerable Children Thrive

Founded and directed by Megan Wright, Yushinde provides family support to help vulnerable children thrive. They have staff on the ground within Kiambiu Slum and are very supportive of Rossholme there. This partnership is crucial for establishing Rossholme School as a charity and providing outreach support to both children and their families. In conjunction with Tushinde, we hope to be able to open Day Care Centres for younger children, thus freeing up places within Rossholme School for school age children.

UK Address: Tushinde Children's Trust, Croft Butts, Smiddy Burn, Kingsbarns, Fife KY16 8SN

Kenya Address: Tushinde Children's Trust, PO Box 1581-00621, Village Market, Nairobi

E - info@tushinde.org.uk
T - +44 01344 772700

Young boy peeking out from behind a wooden wall

Trustees

Rossholme School in Kenya was established as a CIO and granted charitable status and Registration Number 1178553 on 29th May 2018.

Founder Trustee

Judith Webb (nee Griggs)

Born in Somerset and educated at Rossholme School herself, Judith was commissioned into the British Army in 1968. She became the first woman to command an all male field force unit in 1982 and retired in 1986 to become Head of Rossholme School in Somerset. She was also Chairman, Council of the Order of St John for Somerset 2000-2006; Governor Downs School, Wraxall 1996-2006. Rossholme School was closed in 2005 and Judith and her husband ran Clocktower Events Ltd, Rossholme Country Holidays and Clocktower Wellness Centre. Married to former Army Officer, Gerry, who was Head of IT at Rossholme, they have two adult children and four grandchildren. She enjoys politics, travel, skiing, fitness and walking dogs. She is always happy to speak about Women on the Warpath and Rossholme in Kenya

Trustee

Doug Brodie

Based in London, initially from Glasgow, Doug was brought up in early years in Kenya and Amin's Uganda, where his father was one of two Scottish surgeons, and where he remembers school lessons taken sitting on the ground under trees for shade. Via Strathclyde University, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen, since 1995 he has run a financial planning firm on Chancery Lane in the heart of the legal district, and is passionate about all things outdoors, dogs, rugby and financial education - particularly the rule of 72.

Trustee

Nick Griggs

Nick Griggs grew up in Somerset with close family links to Rossholme School. He graduated from Warwick University and qualified as an Actuary. He is now living in Cheltenham where he is a Partner at Barnett Waddingham. Married to teacher, Emma, they have two children. Nick enjoys spending time with the family and on the golf course.

Trustee

Steve Swan

Steve was brought up in Somerset, very close to the original Rossholme School. He is a qualified Landscape Architect as well as a British Rowing Coach. He has been Director of his own landscape architecture practice and created Blade Innovations Ltd. undertaking Inventions and Product Design, which is ongoing with a number of products at prototype or trial level. Currently working part time, he has undertaken several house renovations and build projects throughout his life. He has served on many committees and has been an active supporter of Rossholme for several years and, as a past Chair of Taunton Rowing Club, he has used rowing to create a number of long distance challenges, raising over £20k for SSAFA and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust. Married to Julia, he has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Inside Kiambiu

The faces of Rossholme.

Julia, Joyce and Steve

Laptop donated by Bramdean Construction

Architect’s plan

The Griggs Library

Ground and first floor view

First floor classroom awaiting finishes

Toilets

Outside north

Plot A rented land

Stairs to ground floor

Help us secure our home.

We had the opportunity to gain possession of the land and property in 2023; we initiated a campaign to raise £25,000 which gave us the chance to develop the new premises, which are in use but still under construction. We have just purchased another small area
and, as ever, we seek more funding.

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