01 Introduction – The Spark
The story of Elimu Ya Kenya began in 2005, when the German Gunter Nehrig travelled to Mombasa and learned about the difficulties some local families faced in providing their children with access to education.
To create lasting support, he began involving friends, colleagues and other supporters in Germany. Through these early efforts, he was introduced to Lilian Musungu ✝️ who became an important partner in Kenya. Their shared commitment laid the foundation for long-term cooperation between Germany and Kenya.
02 The First Step – Supporting Students
The first practical step was to support individual children through school sponsorships. What began on a small scale grew quickly as more people in Germany became involved.
Over time, more than 40 children at nine different schools in Mombasa were supported. The sponsorships helped cover school-related costs and gave the children the opportunity to continue their education. This growing support network formed the foundation for the next phase of the project.
03 The Vision Grows – From Sponsorships to a School
As the number of supported children increased, it became increasingly difficult to manage payments and coordinate support across several different schools.
This led the education4kenya association in Germany to a new idea: instead of supporting children in many different institutions, why not establish its own school? In Germany, the education4kenya association was founded under the leadership of Gunter Nehrig and other supporters.
From this growing commitment, the vision of education4kenya began to take shape – a school that could provide reliable education, stronger oversight and long-term opportunities for children in Mombasa.
04 The Partnership That Made It Possible – The Role of E4K
Turning the idea into reality required close cooperation between Kenya and Germany. At the initiative of e4k, the association of the same name, Elimu Ya Kenya, was founded in Mombasa to coordinate support from Germany. Dr Hans Heiner Fährmann, Germany, was elected as the first deputy alongside Lilian Musungu ✝️. This enabled close cooperation between the two associations to be optimally coordinated.
Extensive preparatory work was also necessary on the German side. This included intensive research and visits to schools in Germany and Kenya in order to create the conditions required for funding and implementing the project. The funding procedures and the high requirements for documenting and accounting for the financial resources, which came predominantly from Germany, were particularly demanding. This responsible task was undertaken especially by Gunter Nehrig, Jürgen Kielmann and Annelies Hoheisel and required a high degree of personal commitment.
Funding came from various sources, including private donations, education4kenya members and partner companies. In addition, the education4kenya association succeeded in obtaining funds from the BMZ – the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – through a complex application process. This diverse support enabled e4k to carry out the planning, construction and later expansion of the school, while the Kenyan partners provided local organisation and practical support.
05 Building the School – Challenges and Milestones
Building the school from around 8,000 kilometres away was a major challenge. The German team had to supervise the construction, adapt to local building conditions and deal with difficult access to materials and infrastructure.
Elimu Ya Kenya School is to be built on this site
Despite these challenges, important milestones were achieved. The first part of the school opened in 2010, followed by a second section in 2012. At that time, specialised learning rooms for computer science, natural sciences and practical skills, such as the sewing-machine room and the woodworking room, were established – an important and unusual opportunity for students, especially girls, to gain practical experience directly at school. Jürgen Kielmann and Heinz-Dieter Plötner of education4kenya played an important role in developing and designing the learning rooms that were created.
Further expansion continued over the years, and in 2025 the third school building was officially opened. Until November 2025, the German education4kenya association remained responsible for the school's operational management and director function. In November 2025, responsibility for the school was officially handed over to the Elimu Ya Kenya association in Mombasa, marking the beginning of a new chapter under local leadership.
Handover of the school to the "elimu ya kenya" association with Lilian Musungu✝️ and Gunter Nehrig
06 Gunter and Lilian's Legacy – The Heart of the School
Gunter Nehrig and Lilian Musungu✝️ played central roles in the long-term development of Elimu Ya Kenya School and in strengthening the connection between Kenya and Germany.
Over the years, more than 200 million Kenyan shillings were invested in the construction, expansion and equipment of the school through German support. Gunter visited the school more than 100 times and worked closely with the management, school leadership and parents. Together with Lilian's commitment and leadership in Kenya, this sustained financial and personal involvement helped shape the school into what it is today.
07 The Impact Today – The School as a Beacon
Today, Elimu Ya Kenya provides education for around 390 students and is supported by 30 staff members.
Over the years, many students have completed their education at the school, with several former students going on to higher education or university studies. Alongside academic learning, practical learning opportunities have also helped students discover their abilities and prepare for their future. What began with individual sponsorships has developed into an established educational institution that helps children and families in Mombasa.
08 A Word of Gratitude – To the Partners
A special word of gratitude goes to Gunter Nehrig and the many helpers, sponsors and members of the e4k association in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, whose commitment was closely connected with the development of Elimu Ya Kenya from the very beginning.
Gunter's personal commitment helped maintain the connection between the school, education4kenya and its supporters in Germany. This commitment was shared by members of the association, private donors, partner companies and many others. Their contributions included financial support as well as practical donations such as school buses, sports equipment, cooking facilities and other important resources.
09 The Story Continues
For the future, all friends from Europe wish Elimu Ya Kenya School continued strength, stability and success.
May the school remain a place where children are given the opportunity to learn, grow, discover their potential and create better opportunities for their lives. We hope that the values on which the school was built – commitment, responsibility, community and belief in the power of education – will continue to guide Elimu Ya Kenya School for many years to come.
To encourage excellence and dedication, a small performance-based incentive will continue to be offered to outstanding teachers and learners over the coming years — a gesture of goodwill from former supporters who remain connected to the school's journey. This modest contribution reflects the enduring friendship between Kenya and Germany, while Elimu Ya Kenya continues to grow under local leadership and welcomes new partners to join in shaping its future.
Elimu Ya Kenya – Our Story
📸 Historical Gallery
