Jack Oyieko started the school in January 2010 with 3 students. His vision was to provide education for youth in part of Nairobi, who could not afford to go to school. He rented two rooms in Mwiki, Kasarani, and began to teach. By the end of 2010, there were 22 students in Form One, 1 student in Form Two, and 3 teachers. The Kenyan school year starts in January and finishes late November, so new premises were sought and found in early 2011, which coped with the new student intake.
The Bookshine Student Sponsorship Program enables youth in Nairobi to attend school and receive a good education. Many students come from needy families, and some have lost parents because of AIDS, other diseases and civil unrest. Sending a youth to school requires money to pay school fees, and buy school uniforms, shoes, exercise books, and hopefully some lunch –this is beyond the reach of many families.
£100 ($120) pays the school fees (including lunch and stationery) for one student for one term, and £300 ($360) covers the annual costs. The school also has specific needs such as more books for the library and more lab equipment.Many classrooms are temporary and are wearing out, sopermanent structures are needed for the future.