One of the more tangible achievements in 2026 was the construction of 3 school kitchens. This project was made possible by the generosity of Adelaide and John Fraley and their friends. Upon explaining the need for new kitchens to Adelaide and John on their visit to Sereolipi Learning Center in 2023, they immediately understood the importance and volunteered to take care of it.
The Thorn Tree Project remains in deep gratitude to Adelaide and John, as well as to their generous friends. Their contribution made the following possible:
Sereolipi Primary
Sereolipi Primary got a brand new kitchen. The pre-existing/original kitchen was in a building abutting a classroom. As the Samburu climate requires windows to be consistently open, the smoke, soot, and extra unwelcome heat from the kitchen were permeating the adjoining classroom. The old wood fired stoves were inefficient and the chimneys were in dire need of replacement. This was all solved by constructing a standalone, airy kitchen, at the edge of the school compound with new stoves and chimneys. This kitchen now serves daily meals to about 700 students.
Ndonyo Wasin Primary
In Ndonyo Wasin Primary, the kitchen was already in a separate building, but the original design had, similarly to the Sereolipi Primary, ignored the heat and smoke produced by the wood fired stoves, the only fuel available in the area. To remedy this, we opened the eaves under the roof and enlarged the existing windows. New more efficient stoves were installed, as well as a new counter from which meals are served.
SENET Learning Center
SENET Learning Center hosts high school and college students 3 times a year, during their so called “long holidays”. All local high school students have the opportunity to attend remedial classes in math, English, and science. During these two-week long sessions students are served breakfast, lunch and dinner. As the number of the students grew from only a few at the start of the scholarship program to about 70 in the last few years, a need for a proper student kitchen arose. The solution: a small, single stove kitchen, near the main Learning Center building.
The benefits of the new kitchens have been invaluable. The elementary school children can now learn without the discomfort of heat and smoke while the high school and college students in the growing scholarship program can rest assured that they will have hot meals even in the rainy season. Students and cooks alike are deeply grateful. Most importantly, the new kitchens serve as a reminder of what is possible when people choose to help.