Ekerore D.E.B Secondary School recently became the center of attention with two significant initiatives aimed at empowering students and promoting environmental conservation, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.
In a heartwarming outreach event, the local chapter of the Rotary Club made a remarkable contribution aimed at enhancing the well-being of students, especially those facing financial and personal challenges. The club, known for its dedication to humanitarian causes, donated sanitary towels and examination materials, including geometrical sets and clipboards, to 52 candidates preparing for their national exams later this year. This donation was a much-needed relief for many students who come from families struggling to provide basic educational supplies.
The donation not only addressed the students’ immediate academic needs but also tackled a persistent issue faced by many girls; menstrual hygiene. Young girls often miss school during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of sanitary products. Recognizing this, the Rotary Club embarked on this initiative to ensure that no girl misses school because of menstruation.
The principal of Ekerore Secondary School, Madam Damaris Nyariki, expressed deep gratitude for the Rotary Club’s efforts.
“This contribution will make a real difference in the lives of our students. Many of them would have faced difficulties during their exams because they couldn’t afford the necessary materials. We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club for stepping in and ensuring that our students are well-equipped for their upcoming exams,” said Nyariki.
Rotary Club Kisii chapter Secretary, Lena Kwamboka, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the club’s goal was to motivate the candidates and eliminate any barriers they might face during the exam period.
“Our aim is to ensure these students have the materials they need to focus on their education. The geometrical sets and clipboards will help them during exams, and we hope the sanitary towels will allow the girls to remain in school without interruption,” said Kwamboka.
This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Rotary Club to support education and health within the community. Their long-term vision is to foster a self-reliant community where education and health needs are prioritized, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society. The impact of this donation will undoubtedly be felt as students prepare for their exams and girls continue attending school uninterrupted.
As part of the event, the school also held a tree-planting exercise in collaboration with the department of water, environment, natural resources and climate change of Kisii County, reinforcing the importance of environmental sustainability alongside academic success. The tree-planting initiative, themed “Greening Our Future,” aimed to increase the region’s forest cover and instill a culture of environmental responsibility among students and the broader community.
During the exercise, Leah Bwari, the CEC, water, environment, natural resources and climate change Kisii County, highlighted the critical role that trees play in environmental sustainability and combating climate change.
“As a county, we are fully committed to enhancing our forest cover and contributing to Kenya’s national goals of addressing climate change. Today’s tree planting in this school marks another step forward in our long-term strategy. The trees we plant today are an investment in the future of our environment, ensuring that future generations inherit a world that is more sustainable,” said Bwari.
The principal, Madam Nyariki, expressed her excitement about incorporating environmental conservation into the school’s activities.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to learn about the importance of environmental conservation. We are grateful for the support and commitment to this cause,” said Nyariki.
As the students prepare for their upcoming exams, they not only carry with them the tools to succeed academically but also the knowledge and responsibility to care for their environment.
By Bertila Nyanchama
