Mend the Gap is a registered charity based in Bristol which runs projects in Eastern Africa that aim to eradicate poverty and advance education. When two independent schools in Bristol merged in 2017, Bristol Soroptimists were able to acquire supplies of new and nearly new school uniform which needed a good home. In many African countries, children without school uniform are not allowed to attend school and many such children often drop out of education altogether and miss out on life’s chances and a way to break out of the circle of poverty. Recycling these uniforms to schools supported by Mend the Gap in Bochoroke, Kenya, has made a big difference. 
Not all children in the village can afford to go to school, so to wear a uniform is a visible sign of school membership. Hard-wearing school clothes are important as they will be passed from family to family. The school uniform from the Bristol school included summer dresses as well as and winter clothes including hats, gloves, scarves and warm jackets. All were ideal for the mixed climate in this part of the world because in the windswept Kisii highlands where the school uniform will be used, temperatures often plummet to below 4 degrees in the early mornings. The wind chill factor makes it feel even colder, especially for the young children.