Our Story
Since 2005 Paul Macdonald and Solomon Ariko have been working on a number of projects within the Homa Bay District, in particular the village of Osika. Solomon is from Osika and retired from a senior manager position at Nairobi Airport. He now focuses his efforts on developing the Osika community.
Improving living conditions
Over the years Paul and Solomon have been working together to improve Solomon's local community. They have undertaken projects which relate to agriculture, education, water and sanitation, welfare and health within the villages Osika, Alego and Nyagowa. The project started by providing agricultural support in the form of education and farming inputs for 150 farmers within the villeges. They have since assisted with constructional work for Osika Primary school as well as providing the teachers and pupils with supplies. Furthermore nine shallow wells, forty water tanks and 10 long drop toilets were donated to improve water and sanitation within the villages. Every year 35 bags of maize are shared amongst the widows in the villages and 3 traditional houses were built for them. Furthermore all villagers within the communities Osika, Alego and Nyagowa were given mosquito nets to combat malaria.
Educational Scholarships
One of these projects includes the provision of scholarships to secondary school and university students. This project was deemed a great success by the Osika community and therefore it was decided to establish a formal charity called the Geno Project to further support these efforts.
Strong friendships with Osika, Kenya
Paul Macdonald as well as his two daughters, Iona and Seonaid, have established strong friendships within Osika and its surrounding communities through their numerous visits and the previous projects they have been involved in. When visiting Osika primary school, both Iona and Seonaid become very fond of the children and were determined to assist them to achieve their academic ambitions.
Therefore at the beginning of 2015, Paul, Iona and Seonaid decided to register Geno with the Scottish Charity Regulator. With the help of the other trustees, Leonard O’Brien and Murray Mathieson and volunteers, both European and Kenyan they are now providing scholarships to 79 students. They also have big plans for the future.