Joy as Bandari Sacco Steps In to Revive Dilapidated Lafithi Primary School

By Ben Okweingoti.

There was renewed hope at Lafithi Primary School in Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County, after Bandari Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Bandari Sacco) stepped in to support the improvement of the institution’s dilapidated infrastructure and learning environment.

The school, which has a population of 113 pupils, has been grappling with inadequate classrooms, hunger-related school dropouts and the long distances pupils have to travel through areas reportedly infested with wild animals.

According to the school’s head teacher, Elizabeth Jumwa, the challenges have significantly affected enrolment and retention, with some pupils forced to stay away from school due to hunger and safety concerns.

Jumwa said Bandari Sacco had donated Sh300,000 to kick-start the construction of four classrooms, while its members had also pledged to provide school uniforms, books and shoes for all 113 pupils.

“I have received Sh300,000 from Bandari Sacco that will be used to start construction of four classrooms. The members have also committed to buy school uniforms, books and shoes for the 113 pupils,” Jumwa said.

She said the school was also facing rising dropout cases as pupils walk long distances through dangerous terrain to access education.

According to Jumwa, some of the areas pupils traverse are reportedly inhabited by wild animals, including lions, exposing them to serious risks.

She appealed to other well-wishers to support the construction of a dormitory at the school, saying the facility would help retain pupils who live far away and those who face challenges accessing the institution on a daily basis.

“Many children walk long distances to school and they have to traverse dangerous terrains which are infested by wild animals, including lions, while some stay away because of hunger. If we can get someone to construct a dormitory for us, we can retain most of these children in school,” she said.

Bandari Sacco Chairman Moses Sirgoi said the cooperative was committed to working closely with the school to transform its learning environment and improve pupil enrolment and security.

Sirgoi, who was accompanied by about 150 Sacco delegates, said the institution’s poor physical condition had prompted the cooperative to intervene through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

“The school is not in good shape and as Bandari Sacco, through our Corporate Social Responsibility, we have come to check the learning environment, which we have found is not good. We are going to help build classrooms and we have given a cheque of Sh300,000 to begin the work,” Sirgoi said.

He said the Sacco intended to remain involved until the school achieved the desired infrastructural improvements.

Sirgoi also urged individual Sacco members to supplement the cooperative’s efforts by making personal contributions towards the school’s development.

He said members had already committed to purchasing uniforms, books and shoes for the pupils, with the items expected to be delivered as soon as practicable.

The intervention has offered a ray of hope to the school community, which has been struggling with inadequate infrastructure and other challenges that threaten access to education.

The school leadership has now appealed to additional well-wishers, government agencies and other stakeholders to join Bandari Sacco in supporting the construction of a dormitory and other facilities needed to provide pupils with a safer and more conducive learning environment.