Some of the young learners who received aid from well-wishers | PHOTO-Courtesy
By Gerald Mutethia
A thousand school children in Isiolo facing several challenges including the current flooding and the ravaging drought have a reason to stay in school after receiving aid from well-wishers.
MySpace Foundation Kenya and Sleeping Children Around the World Organization on Wednesday donated Mattresses, Blankets, Mosquito nets, sleeping wear, school supplies, and slippers among other items to the learners as part of concerted efforts to keep learners in school.
Speaking at Isiolo Catholic Mission Grounds MySpace Foundation CEO Mwenda Thuranira said the learners aged 7-11 years were identified by their teachers from different schools within the County as beneficiaries adding that the learners face challenges due to poverty levels in the area.
Thuranira appealed to well-wishers, and the national and county governments to chip in and provide basic needs to the learners as well as their parents.
“I am calling upon well-wishers to join hands and help needy children for a better future,” Mwenda said
Isiolo County Director of Education Caroline Mugo said that the aid had come at the right time when some of the learners were dropping out of school due to extreme poverty and lack of basic needs that are necessary for them to remain in school.
“The donations are a drop in the ocean as a high number of families still cannot afford three meals a day, leave alone a good place to sleep. It is time for more donors to come on board and help mitigate some of these challenges that are drastically affecting education standards. To our children, this is a relief, concentrate on your studies because you will now have better sleeping conditions,” she said.
Caroline Wanjiru one of the parents, who accompanied their children to receive the donations, was overwhelmed by joy and gratitude.
“I am really happy and certain that this will improve their performance in school. Drought and flooding had drained our pockets,” she said.
Gilbert Mato, from Rotary Club, Isiolo, noted that ongoing floods and severe drought that preceded it in the county prompted the intervention.
