"We envisaged a small school," says Cindy, "which could grow quite slowly." They began to pray and research and discuss the idea with colleagues and partner organisations. Then something surprising happened: the District Commissioner for the area got in touch with them. He is the top official for the area, occupying a high-level post in the local government. He offered Ross and Cindy the old city jail, in the middle of town, to be converted into an English Medium School. Bowled over, Ross and Cindy went back to the organisations they were working with and presented the offer. Although these other groups were reluctant to partner with the government themselves, Ross and Cindy could see God's hand in the process and pressed ahead.

Converting an abandoned jail into a school has been a leap of faith and has meant no small amount of work, but it is a rewarding transformation to be a part of. Local and ex-pat volunteers continue to invest time and effort in the facilities, while Ross and Cindy work at training teachers and running classes. The school has two classes, 29 children and 16 trainee teachers, and the district Commissioner is urging them to expand further – he would like to see six classes in 2012!

Ross and Cindy now divide their time between the two schools in the two cities, which is no small feat. They ask for prayer while they travel and work, and for as many able hands as can come to be part of the transformation process.

They had hoped to be part of making a difference through education, and that vision is becoming a reality. The three top schools in the area are those with a Christian heart.

"It feels sort of like a miracle," Cindy says, "the sort you read about in missionary books! For a wee little minority we [Christians] are sure influencing the education here for good."