PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
NEWS: More support for Mahiga Secondary School from Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute
OVERVIEW:
The Nobelity Project is a sponsor of the St. Joseph Mahiga Primary School, a rural school in a low-income area near Nyeri, Kenya. In partnership with the local community, we have brought electricity to the school, built a rainwater system with UV purification, a computer lab and other facilities. The school has progressed to one of the top-rated schools (out of 600 in the district). Education in the area currently ends after grade 8, and The Nobelity Project is partnering with the Education District to build Mahiga Hope High School, a four-year high school with 4 blocks of classrooms and with an innovative, multipurpose structure that will fill many essential roles for the school and the local community.
The Rainwater Court is a full-court basketball court with an integrated rainwater collection and UV purification system with solar panels for the water system and night lighting in areas without electricity. The full-court configuration has a 4,850 sq ft playing surface covered by metal roof and guttered to collect an estimated 90,000 liters of water per year. The building incorporates 25,000 liters of rainwater storage, with UV purification.
Between the enclosed storage tank/equipment areas, a small stage faces the court, with a permanent, hard-wall backing designed as a movie projection screen. The structure is designed to serve multiple functions for the school, providing a sport facility, purified drinking water, a covered performance space for local music and theater, an outdoor/covered classroom and dining area. It will also provide the area's only community meeting space, a covered farmer's market and more. If possible, the sustainable and recycled building materials in the structure will include a basketball surface built of Nike Grind, made by recycling used tennis shoe soles.
The Rainwater Court can transform this community, and is a key component of the new Mahiga Hope High School. The local community has two primary schools with approximately 400 students each. With all boys and girls admitted to the schools without tuition charges, there is an even mix of boys and girls. Education in the area currently ends at 8th grade. Mahiga Hope High School - a partnership between The Nobelity Project, the Kenyan Regional Education District, and the people of Mahiga will provide a full 12-year High School education for every child.
Community Meeting, June 2009
PRESS:
WorldChanging: Kenya's First "Net Positive" Basketball Court
Good.is: Kenya's Rainwater Basketball Court
