The Rotary Club of Ashby Castle is sponsoring two youngsters who attend a school in Kenya.

A connection between the Rotary Club and Bombolulu School in Kenya over the past couple of years has seen the two form a close link - with support from the Ashby branch.

Bombolulu is a growing suburb to the east of Mombasa, Kenya, located on the coast. 

Originally a forested area, it grew up as small businesses and kiosks developed, many owned by disabled people. 

Over time it has developed so that it now has a population of over 61,000 people, from a huge range of Kenyan ethnic groups as well as Asian and Arab immigrants.

The local economy is growing slowly, with expansion in woodwork and building supplies, but most of the locals suffer from a lack of education, especially senior and higher education, which limits their career prospects. 

Youth unemployment is high. Girls often work as home helps, some are forced into early marriage, and some have to resort to prostitution so their families can eat. 

Many young boys work in the boda boda motorcycle transport industry, the Kenyan equivalent to taxis, some will turn to crime.

Many people live in shanty accommodation, without running water, power or basic sanitation. 

The local hospital is expensive and well beyond the financial reach of any of the families of the children. 

General medical facilities are basic for them, if available at all. There are few schools in the area, and following recent changes to the educational system, very few lower secondary schools have been accredited, hence there is a huge lack of available places.

The trustee, of the local school, Sally Searle, who is a Rotarian in Great Britain, was on a visit to Kenya in 2011 and came across the original Little Faces kindergarten school and met Mary, the head teacher. 

There were just over 30 children being taught in a tin shack with mud floors, no toilets and not much in the way of reading or writing materials.

Sally has a background in charity work in the corporate sector, and back in the UK she went to work to form the Little Faces Schools, Kenya charity. 

With no paid staff, just with a lot of hard work and much help from volunteers, the charity raised funds so the Little Faces school now teaches over 300 children.

Bombolulu School has grown gradually over the years to its current level. Good exam performance means the school can now attract fee-paying students, which has enabled it to become self-funding. 

Rotary does still support some of the poorest children and has thanked Mary, the head teacher, who was largely responsible for all the work in Kenya to make the school such a success.

Education in Kenya overall is hit and miss because of poverty levels, so Mary deserves a lot of credit for the success of the school. 

During the 11 years the charity supported the school it has donated over £300,000, allowing the school facilities and staff to grow and support the local community. The charity has provided around a million school meals over the years.

• The first youngster that Ashby Castle Rotary has sponsored is a 12-year-old girl called Feldah. 

Feldah is a bright girl who has recorded good academic performance while at Bombolulu School. Sadly, she comes from a very poor family. 

She loves sciences and her ambition is to become a nurse after she completes her studies.

• The second youngster the club has sponsored is a 12-year-old boy called Abrahams.

Abrahams is a bright boy from a single parent family. Again, life is very tough for him and his mother. He is determined to work hard in school and transform his life and that of his mother by becoming a doctor.

The Rotary Club of Ashby Castle will be keeping in contact with both youngsters and looks forward to hearing about their progress in school.