THE generosity of people in Upton-upon-Severn means that £2,000 will soon be winging its way to a school in the slum area of Nairobi.

The response at the launch of an appeal for Anajali School, Kibera, has amazed and delighted the Rural Dean, the Rev Dr Chris Hardwick.

"It's absolutely incredible," he said. "Our target was £5,000 for the whole year and we raised £1,867 on Sunday, when the school's founder, the Rev Cyprian Yobera, was the preacher."

Upton's new Mayor, Eric White, attended the launch service with representatives from the Baptist and Roman Catholic churches.

Until a few months ago, there was no school in Kibera, where around 800,000 people live in shacks, without water or sanitation.

A volunteer head and three teachers now educate 130 children in three mud classrooms, relying on gifts of materials and money to keep going.

"We want to provide immediate help every time we raise £1,000 and we're already well on the way to £2,000." said Dr Hardwick.

"All the money will go to the school, together with donations of children's books and clothing. There are no costs, charges, or fees."

"It's a sobering thought that £100 will feed all the pupils in the school for a week and £80 will pay a teacher for a month.

"To raise this amount of money at the launch really shows the generosity of the churches of the local community."

Fund-raising will continue throughout the Upton deanery.

The next event is a faith lunch and auction of promises at Bushley Village Hall, on Sunday, June 16.

n Woofers in Kenya: P12-13