RC Milimani receives 14,000 Books from Kenya Literature Bureau For Needy Students
- Written by Rose Barasa
Warm and fuzzy on the inside is how Rotarians from the club were feeling on 24 August 2021 at Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) for the 14,046 Book Donation Flag off worth 2.2 million. An initiative which will impact more than 100 schools drives one of the Rotary Focus areas being Education and Literacy.
This partnership from both organizations accorded the guests a tour of KLB premises which showcased the production of books from Manuscripts, editing, illustration and to printage. KLB is home to some of the world’s top authors, researchers and experts in book publishing and printing. They pride themselves in providing high quality educational publications and printing services that are unmatched in the region. The Bureau has invested heavily in new technology so as to offer their customers high quality prints, strong author support programmes and a nurturing environment to work, learn and grow.
Accentuating on the need to empower the younger generation with reading skills early, Pamela Odera, President Rotary Club of Milimani recounted the history of RCM, thanking KLB for their generosity, emphasizing the impact on education and literacy which is one of the 7 Focus areas of Rotary International. “For every book that will be donated, a matching tree has to be planted, as you read a book word by word and page by page, you participate in its creation, just as you plant a tree.” observed Pamela Odera.
Rotary Milimani Education Project comprises Scholarship and Mentorship programs having commenced in the late 1990s. The club decided to concentrate on scholarships by sponsoring students from needy and poor backgrounds under the Rotary Club of Emsdetten (Germany), Rotary Club of Milimani, sponsored through fundraising activities like golf or members and Rotary Club of Davis (US).
On behalf of the CEO, a KLB representative, David Kimita spoke on the history of the organization dating back to pre-colonial times until when Kenya later purchased it. “The learners both in primary and day-care are able to benefit from books which have the current syllabus. They will be at par with other learners who already had the books and improve academically. The books will provide a conducive environment for reading and learning, eventually the education standards among them will improve.” Remarked David Kimita. Fully owned by the government with adjacent dividends from the commercial division, the donation marks KLB’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, crown coordinated by Dr. Ben Obura, one of RCM members and KLB Staff.
Supplementing the agenda, KLB staff effectuated donations of shoes (girls and boys assorted), maize flour and clothes to Watoto Wema Home. A rehabilitation and rescue home for street children run by one of RC Milimani Members experienced a fire tragedy at one of their dormitories mid-year causing a loss of essentials and property.
Sorted and ready for dispatch from Nairobi, the books are set to create lifelong experiences during which children who encounter words used in certain ways are persuaded by them to be brought to mind and heart within the presence, the power, of the imagination.
