For over two decades, the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust has been dedicated to supporting grassroots initiatives that create lasting change in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
By working with local leaders and organisations, the Trust ensures that resources are directed towards practical, impactful solutions that empower communities and improve livelihoods.
One of the Trust’s most recent projects is the Mobile Classroom Unit in Nairobi, Kenya – a groundbreaking innovation designed to tackle the urgent need for stable, accessible education facilities in informal settlements where schools frequently face displacement.
A revolutionary approach to education
Designed by architect Georgia Fernandes (Untamed Architecture, Kenya) in partnership with Earth Angels, St. Stevens School, and the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust, the Mobile Classroom Unit is a modular mobile solution that provides a practical and cost-effective response to one of the critical constraints facing the education sector in informal settlements.
This colour-coded, easy-to-build kit can be assembled/dissembled in just eight hours using unskilled labour, meaning schools that are forced to relocate do not have to leave behind their most valuable physical assets – the classrooms.
Manufactured entirely from locally available materials, each unit costs just £1,700 – 80% cheaper than a traditional brick and mabati (corrugated iron) classroom – while still providing a durable and functional learning space for 18 students.
Sustainable and smart design
In addition to being affordable and portable, the Mobile Classroom Unit incorporates innovative features to enhance comfort and functionality:
- Rainwater collection system for sustainable water use
- Temperature regulation and cooling for a more comfortable learning environment
- Elevated design to prevent flooding and deter pests
- Multi-purpose use, allowing the structure to serve as:
- A food distribution centre
- A community gathering space
- A tailoring workshop for local women.
Additionally, the assembly process itself provides valuable skills training for local unemployed youth, offering economic opportunity and community ownership.
Building a scalable, replicable model for education
With land insecurity threatening private educational facilities in many informal settlements in Kenya, the Mobile Classroom Unit presents a scalable, cost-effective solution that can be replicated in other underserved areas to ensure education access, no matter the circumstances.
“This project is about more than just classrooms – it’s about adaptability, resilience, and empowerment,” said Dan Taylor, Trustee of the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust. “By investing in innovative, community-led solutions, we’re ensuring that children have a place to learn, even in the face of adversity.”
