BUKIABI BENEFITS BIGLY.
Our caravan of hope and impactful women empowerment arrives at Bukiabi Primary School to a rousing welcome from the attendees. Joyful sounds, ululations, and celebrations rend the air from the hundreds of people who thronged the venue for the day.
Women, men, and children break into song and dance as soon as vehicles ferrying guests come to a complete halt outside the new school grounds. What’s all the fuss? Our Sirisia representative, Irene Chumo Waluke, is commissioning nine classrooms built within four months. Bukiabi Primary School pupils, teachers and parents are the targeted beneficiaries.
The new classrooms are a stone’s throw away from the dilapidated school blocks, hosting over 300 pupils. The old school blocks still stand, like day and night, compared to the new look Bukiabi Primary School, a glaring difference for all to see: One is worn out, unrepaired, and the flooring full of potholes, the other an inviting shiny blue and white paint coat beckons for attention.
When we visited the school back in April before this August 5 launch, the new construction was just an idea, the headteacher, Mr Nyongesa, was sceptical if the project would ever take place. “Why?” we ask in unison.
“Elections are only a few months away. We have heard of the project from our leaders, but we are not aware when it will take place,” the headteacher states.
The above statement highlights that there is still a disconnect in most people in differentiating between publicly funded and privately funded projects like Mrs Waluke’s.
Fast forward to August 5, and the teachers, parents, and students are all gathered at the school grounds to celebrate the dazzling Bukiayabi Primary School. It was once a derelict but now stands tall as a landmark for the village deep in Bungoma County.
SDG on education.
“ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Development matters are not solely government responsibility,if it were Bukiabi Primary School would be unable to fulfil the letter and spirit of Social Development Goals.
The importance of such community and social outreach programmes is reiterated through the ongoing collaboration with our partner, ProudlyKenyan.
ProudlyKenyan
Were it not for the timely intervention between NALSA(K) and ProudlyKenyan, accomplishing the Bukiabi project would have been a daunting task for the community.
Countrywide, NALSA(K) members have engineered better sanitation in schools, re-integrated teen mothers into society, renovated worn-out school blocks, introduced reusable sanitary pads to girls, initiated the construction of a dispensary, started a green energy initiative and also launched economic empowerment projects.
Project Significance
Such projects are in fulfilment of our objectives in society as an organisation.
To quote in verbatim the chair’s April 21 speech “a good classroom environment helps students form healthy relationships with both their teachers and peers. It makes the learning process that much easier for them. It’s a step in making school something they can look forward to.”
Beyond that, it also boosts the morale of the teachers and leaves a positive impression on parents when they visit the school. It makes parents or those thinking of enroling their kids look at the school think it is reputable and trustworthy.
The new staff room and washroom blocks are still under construction and we eagerly look forward to it. ProudlyKenyan being the project partner for the ongoing and complete works across the nation.
Post by Brian Anyanzwa.
Photography by Gakenia Kiniiya, edited by Julia Laval