It was a relief to over 50 learners of General Kago Primary School in Thika, after a local University gifted them with boxes to help them carry utilities as they get admitted to Form One.
The learners, most of them from Kiandutu slums and who got more than 300 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), could not hide their joy after they were presented with the boxes by the Mount Kenya University, to enable them realise their educational dreams seamlessly.
Purity Wangithi Mwangi, one of the parents, said preparing their children to join Form One has been costly to parents from the slums, adding that some requirements may make it difficult for their children to get admitted.
Wangithi, while lauding the kind gesture, said they will now focus their attention on footing other expenses, to facilitate their children to join secondary school.
“We are relieved with the kind gesture because the boxes are expensive and unaffordable. Our hope now is on the NG/CDF to give our children bursaries to go to school,” she said.
Peter Wanderi, the Principal Corporate Affairs at Mount Kenya University said they will continue sponsoring students in their programme of reduced inequalities among students.
He said they have been doing this through the various environments where they have campuses to enable them to attain their education dreams.
“It has been our dream to reduce education inequalities among students to ensure children go to school. We know if not supported, it might be difficult for children from the slums to go to school,” he said.
Jane Njeri, the head teacher, General Kago Primary School lauded the good gesture saying they have put smiles on needy and bright students.
She called on other well-wishers to come out and support the students in other different ways so as to keep them in school.
“Most of our learners come from the Kiandutu slum and are needy. If not for such support, their hope for a bright future might crash due to lack of school fees and other requirements needed to join school,” said Njeri.
By Muoki Charles
