Who we are

We are a collaborative team of supporters in the UK and Kenya, working together to build and run ACK St Mary's School for the deaf. The Mbeere Mothers' Union had the dream for this project, led by Lucy Masamba. With the support of the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev'd Moses Masamba, the project began and support was invited from the UK. In 2013, the Kenyan team invited Peter Macnaughton (a training architect) to help design and build the school. To do this, Peter mobilised a team of student volunteers in the UK to raise funds and travel to Kenya to help the local team with construction.

Peter and Ali Mbugua (his sister) partnered with the Peter Cowley Africa Trust (registered charity: 1037257) to manage the charity account. This trust have exiting projects in Mbeere Diocese and many years experience running small-scale community development projects.

ACK St Mary's School for the Deaf is registered as a national school in Kenya, so the government are responsible for running the school, basic materials and paying for the teachers. The Kenyan Government have also built several of the buildings in the school.

Project Leaders in Kenya

Rt Rev'd Moses Masamba Nthukah
Project Patron & Diocesan Bishop

Lucy Masamba 
President of the Mbeere Mothers' Union, project visionaries

Samuel Nguri  
Principal of ACK St Mary Magdalene's School for the Deaf

The Students (some students and teachers photographed in April 2019)

The Teachers (some of the teachers photographed in April 2019)

Some of the team together - Mbeere Mothers' Union President Lucy Masamba (centre), Rev. David Karuiki (left), Riandu Community Members, Peter Macnaughton (in the hi-vis jacket) and Ali Mbugua (second from left). 

Project Riandu Volunteers over the years

2014 Volunteer Team

2015 Volunteer Team

2016 Volunteer Team

2017 Visit

2018 Visit - the Bruce Family 

2019 Volunteer Team