Dear Sir,

After reading the article about Rev’d Terry Brimson in the Halesowen News on 10/4/14, I feel compelled to comment, as I contradict some of the claims he made regarding his charity being the only provider of free education in Kenya.

I am a committed member of the Charitable Organisation Karibuni Trust (www.karibuni.org.uk) and have strived to help this worthwhile cause for the last 12 years since I first visited Kenya as a volunteer helper when I was 70-years-old.

In 2003, President Mwi Kibaki announced universal and free elementary education for all children in Kenya. This resulted in an influx of 'children' attending school for the first time and as a consequence schools were full to overflowing and resources were extremely limited.

During my numerous visits to Kenya, I have been privileged to encounter many of these individuals when I worked in different schools including grown men in their 20s who were striving to better their lives by attending formal education for the very first time. Incredibly, I discovered this was not an isolated case and even heard of a farmer by the name of Kimiani Maruge who enrolled in formal education at the age of 84 and later went on to become head boy of his school in 2005 (Kapkenduiywo Primary School in Eldoret) .

The Karibuni Trust has many projects all over Kenya including three Methodist schools which it foundered in Nairobi, including one in the centre of the infamous Kibera Slums. In the article, Rev’d. Brimson claims to have the only school in Kenya to give free education and states that all other schools charge fees.

In fact, the schools that are run by our organisation also provide free education as all costs are funded through our charity ensuring children from all backgrounds have the right and opportunity to be educated free of charge. In addition, our children are provided with a nutritious free breakfast and lunch on the days they attend school including an additional 100+ children who are also join our feeding project on a daily basis, even though they attend other government state schools in Kibera. On average, we feed an incredible 1,200 children every school day and even provide additional sustenance for children on a weekend.

I feel it only fair for people to know that there are many people like myself who continue to strive to better the lives of children in areas such as Kenya and there are many different opportunities to help.

I am so proud to be part of this invaluable and worthwhile organisation and will continue to strive to make a difference to these children's lives, no matter how modest my contribution, it does make an incredible impact. Anyone wishing to know more information about the Karibuni Trust and the work it does can visit www.karibuni.org.uk.

Mrs. Muriel Priest C/o Short Cross Methodist Church, Halesowen.