One of the biggest changes at the ULT Academy Kenya is something you cannot immediately see: Structure.
When we took over, one of the first steps was to build a clear and inclusive leadership system. Today, the school is guided by a Board of Management, a Headteacher, teacher representatives, and even student representatives. And this has changed a lot.
Decisions are clearer. Communication is stronger. And most importantly, students now have a voice. This shift has created something powerful. A sense of belonging and shared responsibility that goes far beyond the classroom.

Some changes are easier to see.
When our team first arrived, many children were sitting on broken plastic chairs. Learning was happening, but not in the environment they deserved.
Today, that looks very different.
The ULT Academy Kenya now has proper desks and chairs in many classrooms, creating a more comfortable and focused learning space. It is a simple change on paper, but in reality, it changes everything. Posture improves. Concentration improves. And most importantly, it shows children that their education matters.
We also addressed one of the most urgent challenges: sanitation.
Previously, the entire school shared only one toilet unit. Today, there are two. It may sound like a small number, but for daily school life, this is a huge step toward dignity, hygiene, and safety.
And there is more.
For the first time, the school now includes kindergarten classes. Younger children can start their educational journey earlier, building a stronger foundation for everything that comes next.

The first three classrooms at the ULT Academy Kenya now officially carry their names: “Be Happy”, “Freedom”, and “The Odyssey”. The name plates have already been installed and are now part of everyday school life. What once started as an idea is now visible. For the children who learn in these rooms every single day.
And also for the people who made this possible.
With donations of over 10,000 euros, Bernd and Brigitte Hellthaler, Nikolaus Porz, and Robert Hill each helped shape one of these classrooms and were given the opportunity to name them. A contribution that goes far beyond numbers. Because it stays. Every single day. In a place where futures are built. 💛

The impact of these changes goes far beyond infrastructure.
At the ULT Academy Kenya, children are now more motivated to attend school. Attendance has improved. Participation has increased. And there is a noticeable shift in confidence.
Students are more engaged, more curious, and more willing to take part in both lessons and activities.
Behavior has also improved, not because of stricter rules, but because of something much deeper. Children feel seen. They feel included. And they feel valued.
And that changes everything.

Another important step has been the introduction of co-curricular activities.
Swimming. Chess. Skating. Arts.
These are not just “extra” activities. They are spaces where children discover new talents, build confidence, and learn how to work together.
At the ULT Academy Kenya, education is no longer only about sitting in a classroom. It is about growing as a whole person.

The changes are not only visible to students.
Teachers feel them every day.
There is now a stronger sense of structure, better access to teaching materials, and a more supportive working environment. Collaboration between staff and leadership has improved, creating a space where teachers can focus on what really matters.
As one teacher shared:

“There has been a good working relationship and a conducive working environment. Teaching materials are provided in time, which helps us support our students better.”
— Teacher Immaculate

This kind of feedback shows that change is not only happening for students, but across the entire school community.

Even though so much has already changed, the journey is far from over.
One of the next big steps is completing the remaining furniture for the school. The goal is to ensure that every single child has access to a proper, safe, and comfortable place to learn.
Beyond that, there are plans to create a child-friendly playground. A space where children can play, move, and simply be children.
Because education is not only about classrooms. It is also about joy, movement, and connection.

When we look at the ULT Academy Kenya today, we do not just see a school.
We see progress.
We see structure.
We see confidence growing in children who now feel that this place belongs to them.
And maybe most importantly, we see what is possible when many people believe in the same idea.
That education can change lives. 💛