WOODBURY - In a time when gloom and doom seem to be the order of the day, a pair of local women have much to celebrate.

Woodbury residents Pieper Dittus and Martine Nolletti are founders of the Cornerstone Project, a charitable organization dedicated to the belief that all children deserve a chance to rise above their circumstances.

After working for several years to help build a residential school in an impoverished area of western Kenya, the women told Voices that the Nambale Magnet School is now open and the first class of students, mostly children orphaned by AIDS, is in place.

Much of the money to build that school came from Connecticut.

"The big news," said Martine, "is that we managed to raise enough money that the first phase of the school, kindergarten and first grade, was able to open its doors on January 12.

"It's beautiful!" she said. "And even with the plummeting economy and civil unrest, we managed to open it on time and on budget."

Phase I of the school includes classroom space for kindergarten through fourth grade, a dormitory and a dining hall.

"It's top-notch construction," said Martine. "It's not made of tarp and tin that will fall apart in 10 years. It will be a symbol of dignity, rooted for years in the community."

All students live on the premises; of the 30 children in the first class, some have never before slept in a bed. Some have never worn shoes.

"The majority of the school's first students have been orphaned by the AIDS pandemic," Pieper explained. "With the Nambale Magnet School, they have a chance for an education and a hope for a better future."

Phase II of the project will include classrooms for grades 5 through 8. Phase III involves purchasing land to build a high school and a conference/retreat center, a much-needed amenity which will bring income to the school.

The women praised a very faithful, hard-working group of volunteers who helped them raise the money to open the first phase. The pace of the project depends on continued fundraising success.

"We believe very strongly that you don't start to build until you collect the funds," said Pieper. "We won't start building the fifth to eighth grade building until we raise the money to finish it."

"All over Third World countries, you'll find half-built schools because the funds ran out," said Martine. "We're very conscious not to have that happen. That doesn't serve the people we're trying to help."

Cornerstone envisions the Nambale Magnet School as a premier boarding school for preschoolers through high school, with a roster of 50 percent orphans and 50 percent tuition-paying students. Every year, another grade will be added.

"We had four paying students on opening day," said Martine. "We're aiming for a 50-50 split, but we're not there yet. As awareness of the school grows, more paying students will come in."

The concept of assimilating AIDS orphans into classes with tuition-paying students is what sets the Nambale Magnet School apart.

"That's in contrast to any other school in Kenya," said Pieper. "A lot of orphans may get a book to read. If they go to school at all, there are 80 students to a class, with one textbook for everyone."

"What we're creating is an atmosphere where the orphans aren't secluded," said Martine. "They're not treated like second class citizens."

According to Cornerstone board member Linda Leidel of Woodbury, the school's early successes have gone beyond pure academics.

"In one case," she said, "a child came in and the teachers were able to catch a small health issue that could have turned into something much worse. All it took was a little bit of medication."

"It was hard to believe when we started that we'd ever be at this point," said Martine. "But we're very confident. Our goal is for the school to run by itself, to become a hope for the entire community."

The school will offer college prep classes for university bound students as well as an agricultural school and vocational programs for those not academically inclined.

It is hoped the agricultural program will enhance productivity in Nambale, an area dependent on subsistence farming. Sales of crops grown at the school as well as products generated through vocational programs will help the school's bottom line.

"The goal is for the school to no longer be reliant on charitable donations to survive," said Pieper. "It wants to be self-sustaining."

Martine and Pieper first became involved with the school as members of WIKS-USA, the Bethany-based arm of Women's Initiative for Knowledge and Survival, a Kenyan non-profit founded by the Rev. Evalyn Wakhusama.

An Anglican priest, Rev. Wakhusama became acquainted with local residents when she came to this country to study at Yale.

"The school is really a testament to Evalyn, the founder," said Martine. "It was her leadership that got it off the ground."

WIKS has a board of directors in Kenya that oversees the school's day-to-day operations.

"We're advising and supporting their vision," said Linda. "We don't dictate how it is."

"The school is designed very strictly to fit into Kenyan society and culture," said Martine. "We're not imposing our standards on the process, although we were very pleased with the selection of orphans, which is not affected by religion, tribe or social rank.

"It's a lottery system," she explained. "Everyone gets the same fair shot."

While they still work closely with WIKS-USA, Martine and Pieper founded the Cornerstone Project in January, 2008, to broaden their reach, hoping to use what they've learned to undertake similar endeavors elsewhere.

"Our goal is to use the Nambale Magnet School as a prototype for schools that will be developed in all parts of the world, including the United States," said Martine. "We're committed to using financial and ecological sustainability to empower people to become self-sufficient."

Cornerstone's officers include Martine as chairman, Pieper as president, Linda, secretary and Beth Siemon, treasurer.

Architect Peter Talbot is one of three additional directors, advising the group on solar power and other low-tech, green initiatives.

"There are a lot of interesting, innovative ideas," said Martine. "We're thinking outside of the box. That's my favorite place to be!"

As for fundraising, that's a job that will continue until Phase III is completed and the school has reached its goal of financial sustainability.

Donating money is quite safe, the women advised. Cornerstone members work closely with the school's architect in Kenya and no funds are released until they're needed for construction.

"We're so personally connected to the project," said Linda. "If we need to check on anything, all it takes is a phone call."

For those who'd like to help, the organization has a "wish list."

"If there's one particular need you're passionate about, whether it's education or ecological sustainability or whatever, you can make that donation directly and be assured your wishes will be respected," Martine said.

"People can donate to a specific thing," said Linda. "For example, the cost for one child's education is $1,500 for the year."

Donations of any size are welcome and appreciated, the women said, noting that a gift of $1 from 1 million people has the same effect as a gift of $1 million from one person.

Board members have created a PowerPoint presentation and are happy to speak to gatherings at schools, civic organizations and houses of worship.

"We're still very much a grass roots organization," said Pieper. "When people spread the word and let other people know about the school, that's very helpful to us."

"We've been blessed with so much support and enthusiasm," said Martine. "We're thrilled and amazed at how far we've come in two short years. That gives us confidence as we continue that we will absolutely reach our goal."

Pending Cornerstone Project's 501(c)3 approval, tax-deductible donations may be made payable to WIKS-USA and mailed to Cornerstone Project, Inc., P.O. Box 1002, Woodbury 06798.

Those seeking additional information may visit www.cornerstoneproject.org or call Martine Nolletti, 203-405-1909.