THE NEW FACE OF KANGEMI PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
What would you do if circumstances demanded you were to learn in an environment where buildings were rusty and dusty, roofs leaking, pavements in a state of disrepair and the drainage system clogged every time it rained, transitioning the school into a vast pool? Would your morale be up? Would you deliver on your parents’ wish to see you perform well in school?
The above fittingly characterizes Kangemi Primary School before intervention from NALSA(K) and Proudly Kenyan. The school has a population of 2500 pupils and majorly caters to residents of the nearby Kangemi area: a low-income neighbourhood. On a positive note, in the recently released KCPE results, Kangemi Primary had three students scoring over 400 marks. Belinda Achieng ices the cake with an impressive 408 score to earn a slot at the prestigious Lugulu Girls’ High School, Bungoma county.
This project is NALSA(K)’s second to be launched in the capital city after traversing Lodwar North, Kaloleni, Alego-Usonga, Mbeere South and North constituencies. The first having been Cynthia Theuri’s uniform distribution exercise in Embakasi West.
Indeed actions speak louder than words. Project approved, construction begins, and now the school is a sight to behold. All school blocks have a fresh coat of paint, roof and ceilings repaired, and pavement blocks replaced. Lastly, the improved drainage system guided downstream like a meandering river to a banana planting project at the far end of the school fence.
The school’s Board of Management Chair, Rebecca Balongo, illustrates the transition as having improved the self-esteem of the school. She states that teachers used to run away after being posted to the school due to its sorry state. “We have been from dust to light”, she mentions in her speech. This remark was during an intentionally low key launch ceremony on April 21: Also, there are no students present except Belinda as schools have closed for the third term holiday.
What follows are accolades from direct beneficiaries as to how the project has changed the school’s status. Esau Shitsukane, the Parents Teachers Association chair, humorously expressed that the school now looks more like a private school. He does not miss the opportunity to inform the guests that her daughter garnered 395 marks in the previously concluded examinations. Jacklyn Musungu, a teacher, reminds guests that the place was initially muddy and dusty. It has now improved. Indeed, there’s light ahead as the transformation unthought of before.
All this change might have been a mirage without the incredible help from our partner, Proudly Kenyan. Tiffany Muema, the Organizing Secretary, Proudly Kenyan, points out that a conducive learning environment makes the students focus on what brought them to school-studies.
Behind every successful man, there’s a woman. This statement shines a light on our first objective as NALSA(K): to offer a supportive role to our spouses. NALSA(K) members across the country are impacting change hand in hand with their spouses as the first objective intended. Notably, Kangemi Primary is now spruced up ready for the next term, courtesy of our Chair, Electina Wanyonyi, who cut the ribbon in her capacity as Westlands constituency representative. We hope the students enjoy the new school environment, that it boosts their morale and upholds their dignity to learn in a safe and secure environment. It should always be.
This project is twofold and is another milestone towards us achieving the fourth Social Development Goal “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
By Anyanzwa Brian
Photography by Julia Laval