The Roccanovas make their mark in Nambale, Kenya

MILLERTON— Most of the time, when neighbors help neighbors, it involves a walk down the street with a jar of homemade soup to help fight a bad cold or an extra pair of hands to help with a two-man project. But for Jean and John Roccanova, that trip of generosity reached far beyond the yard next door and instead covered some 7,000 miles from Millerton to Nambale, Kenya. They traveled there at the end of summer to learn more about needs and to visit those they’ve helped in any number of ways over the years while supporting education and important life-changing projects for the residents of the area.  

Throughout the year, the two use their talents to create items which will be sold at their annual fundraiser, held this year at the Irondale Schoolhouse at 16 Main St. at the head of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.  Sending his appreciation for the use of the “ideal location,” John noted this was their second year at the venue, which has the advantage of attracting shoppers who didn’t always make it around the corner to the former location at the North East Community Center, on South Center Street.

The Roccanovas, both retired teachers, first began supporting African relief efforts after having read an article about “problems faced by Kenyan schools,” and then contacting a cited Harvard professor who was doing research there. 

Knowledge of overcrowded classes, some containing about 100 students each, prompted them to donate funds to help hire an extra teacher. Learning about classes taking place outside led them to help fund classrooms at a school that now includes their names. A recent project is a computer lab with 15 stations.

John noted, “This year we got a bicycle transportation program started. We’re starting with 15 bicycles. High school students are being loaned a bicycle for a year to help them get to school and get back home. Some of them do come from a good distance and there is no sort of bus service. It’s non-existent in this area of Kenya.”

About six years ago, they helped to begin a community garden, which is now funded by the community — an advancement John lauded.

One of new projects this year is to start one tree nursery and organic gardens at six schools. Trees, which are necessary in the area that is only 10 percent forested, will be sold to help students pay for national exams, which must be taken in order to go onto high school. Families must pay privately for those as well as the required uniforms despite the school being government run. The gardens will be used for instructional purposes and will also supplement lunch programs at some of the school.

During their visit, the Roccanovas also met with community organizers who discussed needs for additional programs. The group hopes to complete a community building, the roof of which will be used to collect rain water. That, in turn, will be diverted to recently installed water tanks to aid during droughts, which have sometimes hit the area. 

Other projects include women’s health issues such as supplying sanitary pads so girls can attend school, and providing loans so families can purchase goats and chickens, both of which can be a source of food and income when eggs or offspring are sold. 

Donations are accepted any time, but the primary fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24. 

Go to www.growagainstpoverty.wixsite.com/kenya for further information.