Our Community Work
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
At the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence (CSCE), we believe education has the power to change lives. As an organisation dedicated to learning, growth and connection, we’re passionate about supporting communities that share those same values.
That’s why we’re proud to support Cornerstone, a beautiful little school in Shauri Yako Village, Mombasa, Kenya.
Founded in 2010 by local woman Grace Wambete, who cares deeply about the welfare and education of the village’s many children, the school provides a much-needed safe haven and education for the children of the struggling community. Grace and her teachers have created an environment full of love, warmth and security for these children to flourish and learn.
Cornerstone started with 25 children and has gradually grown to around 140, starting with three-year-olds in Play Group, then PP1, PP2, and Grades 1 to 4. Limitations of funding and space mean the school is not able to provide classes up to Grade 8. Children are provided with a cup of porridge in the morning and a midday meal – for some, it’s the only food they’ll have that day.
Shauri Yako village is characterised by insecurity, low-quality housing, lack of basic services and poor sanitation. Families live hand to mouth – no work today means no food tonight. Many households are led by single parents, and ill health, unemployment and domestic hardship are common.
Cornerstone provides safety and stability amid the challenges of daily life — and because of this, they’re always surrounded by happy, smiling faces.
Beyond standard lessons, some of the children’s favourite activities include singing, dancing, colouring, reading storybooks and outdoor play. They’ll tell you they love coming to Cornerstone because they have caring teachers, a food program and plenty of friends and fun activities.
Cornerstone strongly believes that education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle and that every child deserves the right to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
At the CSCE, we share that belief. Education transforms not only futures but communities — and we’re honoured to play a small part in helping Grace and her team continue this life-changing work.
“These kids have many challenges at home including being orphaned or from single parent families, abuse, neglect, exposure to drugs and alcohol. The only haven for many of them is school where they can eat, learn, interact and be protected. Nurturing children is my passion and being poor is not their wish but together we can empower them and through them transform the whole community.”
Sponsorship Program
As the number of children at Cornerstone has grown, so too has the need for support to help run the school and care for its students.
A sponsorship of $120 AUD per year covers school fees for one child for three terms and ensures Cornerstone can continue welcoming children whose families are unable to pay.
In recent years, the sponsorship program has expanded to help children continue their primary education beyond Grade 4 at another local school.
Sponsor a child or make a donation, and be the reason a child stays in school.
Meet Sisko
Sisko is one of the children sponsored at Cornerstone. Sisko is four years old and is in the Pre Primary 1 (PP1) class at Cornerstone. He has three older brothers and they live with their parents in Kisumu Ndogo which is a neighbouring village to Shauri Yako where the school is situated. Sisko’s mother doesn’t work and his father does whatever casual work he can find around the village. After struggling to pay for food and rent there is nothing left for school fees and at most schools that would mean that Sisko would be sent home from school but the Cornerstone sponsor program means that the school can continue to welcome Sisko and other children whose parents aren’t able to pay school fees.
Meet Patricia
Patricia has had a sponsor supporting her education since 2018. Last year she completed form 4 at Cornerstone and is pictured below with her mother receiving a certificate from her teacher Madam Rachael. With ongoing sponsorship Patricia is now doing well in Grade 5 at another local school that works closely with Cornerstone and her mother is now employed at Cornerstone, serving food, cleaning and sometimes assisting in classrooms.
