Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many students attend the Tenderfeet school?

There are a total of 200 students attending school (as of November 2016).

2. When did Mama Margaret start the school?

The school began operations in the year 2000.

3. What are the costs of running the school?

The current budget includes such items as the food program (feeding 200 children twice per day), transportation costs (the school is 45 minutes from the Kibera slum), modest pay for the staff, water, security, and an emergency fund (for sick children).

These costs frequently exceed $6000 (USD) per month, often spiking higher when significant expenses arise.

4. What is the school calendar?

Tenderfeet follows the same school calendar as public schools in Kenya, with a few small differences, explained below. There are three terms and three breaks.

Most Kenyan schools break for one month in April, August, and December, but Tenderfeet usually breaks for one to two weeks. The children are still provided meals during the breaks, but no lessons are taught.

The three terms are:

January-March (one-two week break in April)
May-July (one-two week break in August)
September-November (one-two week break in December)

5. What are the days and hours of operation?

Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM

6. What are the areas of educational emphasis?

Mathematics concepts
Language concepts
Creative process
Physical Outdoor education
Music and Movement

7. Is Tenderfeet an officially registered non-profit organization?

Yes, in Kenya such an organization is called a “Community Based Organization” (CBO).  Tenderfeet has been a registered CBO for several years.  The Kenyan government has strict rules for CBOs, such as an oversight board and a constitution.

8. Does the school have a board?

Tenderfeet has an impressive oversight board, made up of members of the community who have had leadership roles in other charity projects, with backgrounds in fields such as education, construction, and business.