Rotarians Bring Dignity to Students In Ongata Rongai, Kenya

By Ruth Murithi

In the heart of Kajiado County in Kenya, lies Olekasasi Primary School. It is the sole public primary school in the area and a beacon of hope for up to 1,700 pupils hailing from underprivileged backgrounds in Ongata Rongai Ward.

However, like several other public schools in the country, Olekasasi Primary School faces numerous challenges, from overcrowded classrooms to lack of basic amenities, resulting in compromised educational quality.

After recognizing the urgent needs of Olekasasi Primary School, the Rotary Club of Ongata Rongai East (RCORE) embarked on a mission to make a lasting impact and through a needs assessment, the club identified key areas of focus aligning with Rotary’s vision.

In 2023, RCORE resolved to adopt Olekasasi Primary School, concentrating efforts on enhancing basic education and literacy, water sanitation and hygiene, environmental conservation, child health, and disease prevention and treatment. The club’s dedication materialized through various projects, including tree planting along the school’s perimeter, book and desk donations, handwashing demonstrations, and a deworming session in collaboration with AAR Hospital.

These initiatives aimed to address the immediate challenges faced by the school and created a conducive learning environment but as the club continued its mission, it recognized that the school’s pressing need for improved hygiene could not be ignored. The once-existing dilapidated latrines and the absence of a handwashing facility exposed the children to hygiene-related diseases and in response, a consultative meeting between RCORE and the school concluded that constructing a new ablution block for the girls, repairing the existing one, and establishing a handwashing station were top priorities.

This ambitious project not only targeted the physical well-being of the students but also aimed to instil a sense of dignity among learners. By undertaking this endeavour, RCORE aimed to fulfil three out of Rotary’s seven areas of focus-water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment, and environmental conservation.

The club committed to securing funds from corporates, individuals, and the community to finance the project and the oversight and management of the project involved collaboration between the club, the school, and other stakeholders, with a focus on achieving sustained impact. To mark the official commencement of this transformative project, RCORE extended a warm invitation to Rotary District 9212 Governor Leonard Ithau for the ground-breaking ceremony that took place on August 30, 2023. The ablution block was completed and officially handed over to the school on January 12,2024.

This transformative project, addressed critical hygiene needs, and reflected the club’s unwavering commitment to community upliftment. As the new facility stands tall, the club eagerly anticipates continued collaboration with partners, corporates, and the community to undertake more initiatives for the holistic improvement of Olekasasi Primary School and strives to create a nurturing environment that empowers students and enhance their educational journey.