About Zest for Life
Zest for Life became a Registered Charity in November 2008. The Charity was formed as a response to the continuing success of a Global Schools Partnership between Thomas Adams Wem with Miriu Secondary School and Buntingsdale Primary, Market Drayton and Innis Primary, Kenya one of the feeder schools of Miriu Secondary.
Since the inception of the Partnership in 2005 curriculum links and local fundraising both in school and in the two North Shropshire communities had been underpinning links and helping to develop projects to support the schools in Kenya and their immediate communities. In addition, a sponsorship scheme started in the early days of the Partnership grew.
In 2008, and following discussions with staff responsible for further developing our links with our Kenyan Partners, a small group of willing volunteers undertook the task of setting up a Charitable organisation that could take on and rationalise the management of the sponsorship scheme and provide a structure for growth and development. The name given to the memorial rose that had proved a useful fundraising and awareness raising tool was adopted and the Charity was finally registered in November 2008 as Zest for Life.
In November 2009 we held our first AGM.
Our path has not been an easy one and we have encountered many obstacles along the way including imperfect management systems, corruption, poor communications and a challenging lack of progress with some of the Kenyan projects. However, the trustees are committed to exploring different ways of working that will improve accountability and offer sponsors and supporters confidence in our work. We are also determined to build the capacity of our organisation, recruit new sponsors and raise additional funds to underpin the excellent progress we have made so far. We are also working hard to offer our Kenyan partners opportunities to work with us on a more collaborative basis.
Our progress:
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We have a strong trustee board and a management system that is open and accountable. Our eight trustees are drawn from our partner schools here in the UK and the local community.
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We have developed a strategic plan.
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We are working to develop a trust agreement that will ensure that our donated funds are allocated to maxim benefit by the people who live and work in and around Miriu and Innis.
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We are actively seeking funds that will enable us to continue the exchange visits that have become a vital part of our work.
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Now in its fifth year the Sponsorship Scheme has 63 regular donors who give £10 a month; this money supports 120 needy students at Miriu Secondary School. We want to increase this number. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor you can download forms here. We can also claim gift aid on your donation.
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We also provide specific support for Innis Primary School by providing educational equipment and helping with curriculum and staff development.
Our mission: To advance the education of the pupils at Miriu Secondary School and Innis School, Kenya
Our aim: To provide (and assist in the provision of):-
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Facilities and consumable supplies employed in the educational provision at the schools.
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Relief for financial hardship, either generally or individually, of teachers and pupils attending the schools, and their families.
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Assistance in the professional development of teachers working in the schools.
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Assistance with the further and higher education of former pupils of the schools.