In The Press
Showing a real face of Kenya to raise funds for victims
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 21 Feb, 2008
SHOWING REAL FACE OF KENYA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR VICTIMS
An exhibition capturing life in a school in a trouble-torn corner of Africa begins in Bath tomorrow.
Celebrated portrait photographer David Partner, who lives in Frome, travelled to a remote part of north west Kenya late last year to visit a school which is twinned with the city’s Royal High.
Mr Partner, whose recent work has included photographing heads of government for an exhibition at the National Gallery, set out to reflect the work of the Crane Academy in Kitale.
The country remains in turmoil after disputed elections which have led to more than 1000 deaths.
Mr Partner said the experience had been humbling and inspiring,
“After all the internal politics of Westminster, it was a privilege to go to a place in which the needs are so clearly immediate and yet the people are so open and welcoming.
“And hearing the awful news from that part of Kenya has of course made their story all the more urgent.”
A selection of his extraordinary photographs will be on show – and on sale to raise money to support the school – at the Chapel Row Gallery, 6 Chapel Row from tomorrow until February 21.
The relationship between Bath and the academy began five years ago when two sixth-form girls from the Royal High went to work there and were moved by how very poorly resourced it was.
Through fundraising set in motion by singer Midge Ure, who lives near the city, the Royal High is funding 11 girls at all levels throughout their education – in some cases orphans from the Aids epidemic.
Deputy Head Lynda Bevan said: “The value of the relationship is in bringing to this school a knowledge and closeness with those much less fortunate materially, but also rich in other ways.
“The Crane Academy has a motto “Umoja” which means “Togetherness” : that is how we view it too.”
Margaret Chunguli, a teacher at the Kenyan school, said the civil war had made the bond even more important.
“Since the troubles began we have tried to continue life at the Crane Academy as best we can.
“About half the girls are at school, including 50 or so boarders who are orphans – the remainder are trapped in their village.
“Some of the girls have lost their homes and seen their parents’ livestock, neighbourhoods and markets destroyed.
“Those who witnessed violence are suffering great trauma.”
She said Kitale was full of refugees from villages across the west of Kenya.
“We have tried to help where we can in sharing what little food we have, and in looking to provide some teaching for the many children there, but it is very hard,” she said.
For more details of the Crane Academy Trust contact Lynda Bevan at l.bevan@bat.gdst,net
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