A SCHOOL for children in poverty could be built in just one month if a new campaign is successful.

Vickie Goddard, of West Swindon, is looking for 250 volunteers to raise or donate £100 each by the end of June to raise the £2,500 needed to build a school in Kenya.

Each fundraiser can obtain the £100 however they want enough money to fund two classrooms, 50 desks, teacher training for five teachers, and cash to maintain the school for five years.

Vickie, who is raising £100 with a cake sale and sponsored silence, said: “Education is something we take for granted here.

“Sadly that’s not the reality around the world. In much of the developing world, schools just don’t exist or are not accessible. We felt children all deserve the opportunity to get an education just like us.”

So far 55 people have signed up for the challenge, which will also fund new sports equipment, text books and sanitary wear for girls at the new school.

Each of the 250 who pledge to give £100 by the end of June will have their name on a mural at the front of the school and on the project’s website. Regular updates will be available from the headteacher and pupils and fundraisers will also be allowed to visit the school.

Vickie is confident she can achieve her goal by tapping into social networks and the combined power of lots of people working together.

She said: “Things are tough for everyone but finding or raising just £100 is very achievable. The really big difference with our ‘Build a school’ project is that those taking part will have a real ownership of the school they will be building.”

The site for the new school currently houses a ‘make-shift’ school made up of temporary structures.

Only half the children have seating and there is very little teacher training. A lack of education and resources mean that HIV/AIDS is a big issue and seemingly simple things like a lack of sanitary towels means girls cannot attend school during their period.

The school building charity Build Africa will oversee the project and look after the longer term running of the school in the Mwala district,.

For more information email kat@buildaschoolinamonth.org.uk or visit www.buildaschoolinamonth.org.uk.