Help transform the Akili School
Support the school’s transition from general primary education provider to specialist STEM academy for rural children in western Kenya.
Donate now to help the Akili STEM School reach hundreds of marginalised young people to discover STEM, grow their potential, and take control of their futures.
Since 2012, the Akili School (run by the community not-for-profit Riley Orton Foundation) has provided accommodation and quality primary education for hundreds of children from rural low-income families in Kisumu, Kenya.
The school is now transitioning into a provider of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities and career inspiration for primary and secondary-school-aged girls, empowering them to embrace STEM subjects, tackle complex social and technological challenges, and pursue high-value careers.
This project is also open to partnerships with corporate sponsors. If your organisation is interested in fostering STEM skills for young women, contact us today!
- OBJECTIVE: STEM education
- LOCATION: Kisumu, Kenya
- REACH: 500+ girls and boys
About this initiative
To achieve its transition into a specialised STEM school, the Akili STEMarts Academy has begun to deliver a range of high impact co-curricular programs, such as leadership and mentoring programs, STEM camps, career talks and exhibitions, and sustainable food programs.
Students take part in competitions such as the Climate Solutions Campaign, Technovation Challenge and School Enterprise Challenge where students identify challenges in their communities and design innovative solutions using technology they have learnt at the Academy.
It is also investing in teacher professional development, to build capacity of rural teachers to deliver quality STEM instruction. A recent PD program has focused on the use of PhET simulations for science education.
Explore the gallery below, showing some of these programs in action.
About the Riley ORton Foundation
Riley Orton Foundation (ROF) is a registered charity that works with schools and community organisations in Kisumu, Siaya, and Kakamega counties in western Kenya. It works to provide educational opportunities for marginalised girls and communities in Kenya, providing them with the agency to realise their full potential.
ROF is a trusted long term partner of the Sunflower Foundation, and the beneficiary of four previous Sunflower grants totalling over $30,000 AUD, to fund school infrastructure and garden construction, teaching salaries, entrepreneurship training, school camps and scholarship provision.
ROF is led by founder and Executive Director David Omondi, a a grassroots leader with a wealth of experience in education technology and entrepreneurship as well as project planning and management.
As well as the Akili School, ROF powers many other girls’ education initiatives, including scholarships for at-risk students, bicycles and school uniform distribution.
Corporate sponsorships
Is your organisation interested in partnering with us to fund this valuable initiative?
Speak to our team about corporate sponsorship.