SOAR-Kenya Academy in Barut Ward, Nakuru West Sub County has commenced a program of supporting their pupils and teachers through food and non-food donations to cushion them against COVID-19 financial effects.
This even as Private schools’ teachers continue to struggle to support their families during this COVID-19 pandemic.
But for SOAR-Kenya Academy, through USA-based Rotary Club over 400 pupils and their teachers are a happy lot.
On Saturday, the pupils and teachers could not hide their joy as they received their portions of the donations that is meant to cushion them against the COVID-19 effects.
The teachers narrating how they have been forced to take casual jobs to support their families while schools are closed.
Ms Anne Maritim-a teacher at the school says they have been going through a lot since March when the schools were closed due to COVID-19.
She appeals to the national government for support.
“We are really going through a lot as teachers in private schools” she said.
Sentiments echoed by SOAR-Kenya Academy Head teacher Colins Kibet who says the donations from the donor will go a long way in helping the teachers during this difficult time.
He says the teachers’ salary depends on fees paid by parents but with the closure of schools in March due to COVID-19, then things are not the same.
“We want to appeal to the directors in Private schools to think of their teachers during this time so that they can take care of their families” said Kibet.
Accordign to the School’s Director James Yegon the closure of schools in March has negatively affected teachers in private schools.
He says this prompted him to start talking to friends from USA-Based Rotary Club who agreed to step in with some food and no-food donations.
Yegon admits that the teachers have not received salary since April due to the closure of the schools.
His appeal to the government is expedite the proposed process of giving funds to Private schools so that they can be able to manage the schools.
“The private schools teachers should be supported especially during this time. As management we are trying the much we can but with schools closed it becomes hard” said Yegon.
Schools closed in March due to the coronavirus and are to reopen in January if the pandemic is contained.
Share thoughts