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A dyslexia specialist, Ruth Smith moved to Kenya just five years after tragically losing her husband. When she noticed how many of her pupils were undernourished, with some having not eaten for days, she set up a porridge programme, which now provides 450 children at the school with a warm mug of the breakfast treat every day.
Ruth has since opened her own school, Malindi Bright Future Academy, which is self-funded and has now turned her attention to children who “go home to no lunch and nothing in the evening” and is setting up a lunch programme.
Her work led her to receive the 'Inspirational Woman of the Year’ award on International Woman's Day from the Jersey Woman's Refuge.
Pictured: Ruth Smith with some of the pupils from Malindi Bright Future Academy.
Express asked Ruth, who is currently trying to start a vocational workshop for school leavers in Malindi, to write about the changes she would like to make closer to home...
The incinerator: I hate the fact its huge rectangular shape dominates the skyline and is the first thing you see as you enter St. Helier by boat.
Pictured: Ruth hates how the incinerator "dominates" the island skyline.
Screening by trees or artistic light installations would soften the blow!
Access to mental health services needs to be improved.
Pictured: Getting treatment as soon as possible is vital, Ruth says.
Apparently the waiting time is very long in what might be a critical time in someone’s life. More professionals with diverse training are needed to be able to help people in their time of need.
Normans near the tunnel. What a ghastly colour!
Pictured: Norman's yellow façade is a big no-no for Ruth.
To think, beautiful merchants' houses were pulled down to make way for that uninspiring building!
Traffic congestion! A big problem!
Pictured: If more of these were around, perhaps traffic levels would improve, Ruth muses.
I would love to catch the bus to St. Peter’s village, but an infrequent bus service puts me off. More buses please! And improved cycle track surfaces such as the one which has now been done past the airport.
The amount of litter in Jersey is still unacceptable.
Pictured: Ruth describes island litter levels as "unacceptable."
The schools are doing a great job with educating the children. From my observations it’s the adults that throw cigarette butts out of car windows and leave BBQ remains in beauty spots. Hefty fines and reporting of culprits needed!
While we are on the subject, recycling needs to be made easier! I have to drive my stuff, using petrol which seems to defeat the object somewhat!
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not those of the Bailiwick Express.
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