Nakuru-based Street Children’s Assistance Network Nakuru (SCANN) has continued to complement government’s efforts in the education sector.
The centre established along Landhies Road at Kisulisuli estate bordering the slum areas of Nakuru believes in holistic Education towards ending poverty and reducing street Children menace.
In Nakuru, the Centre has assisted several street Children who have been sponsored to University level in their education.
Several Schools are also a beneficiary of the centre’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).
One such school is Kisulisuli Comprehensive School in Nakuru East.
The school that sits just opposite SCANN centre in Kisulisuli estate, despite being a public school has had numerous challenges that saw SCANN step in to assist.
Speaking at the school on March 22, 2024 during a donation of stationery and other learning items plus uniforms to the needy learners in the school, SCANN Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Shamsher Gilani noted that they had visited the school and mapped out areas that needed support.
Shamsher revealed that SCANN has been able to renovate and exhausted the pit latrines that were in poor state in the school.
Besides, SCANN has also renovated classrooms replacing 363 window panes and old doors.
During the visit, SCANN also donated uniforms to 220 needy learners.
In addition, 30 learners benefited from new desks donated by the Centre.
To address the need of lack of stationery due to learners coming from poor backgrounds, SCANN also donated exercise books, and pens to all learners in the school.
Muslim learners in the school also received food hampers from Gilanis Supermarket as a way of support during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
According to Shamsher, the Project of assistance to Kisulisuli Primary School costed a total Ksh 865,000.
He added that SCANN will continue with the project to other schools in the spirit of assisting needy learners.
Shamsher added that this is the only way to ensure reduction of street Children through Education.
“We shall continue with this project to other neighbouring schools. we believe that quality Education for all can help reduce the issue of street Children on the streets,” he said.
Shamsher was accompanied by Rotary Club of Nakuru current President James Yegon and immediate former President Joab Okello.
It should be noted that Rotary Club of Nakuru is a member Board of Trustees SCANN.
Addressing Journalists, President Yegon called on other well wishers to join SCANN in shaping the lives of learners.
“We are very grateful for the great effort by SCANN in helping this school. We want to request all other well wishers to join us to that we can continue with this project,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by Immediate Past President Rotary Club of Nakuru Joab Okello.
Okello lauded SCANN and the chairman Shamsher Gilani for supporting Kisulisuli Primary School.
He pointed out that school this is the 4th school since SCANN started venturing in other charitable activities and the impact is real.
According to Okello, the project is also assisting needy women from Barut under the umbrella Inua Development who engage in tailoring of the uniforms and shoes.
“We are also happy to be the suppliers of uniforms through the women tailors at INUA DEVELOPMENT-UPLIFTING AND EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES,” he stated.
Kisulisuli Primary School Headteacher Mr.Julius Ogutu noted that the school found in Eastern zone of Nakuru East Sub county has faced numerous challenges.
He attributed this to the fact that parents come form humble backgrounds and are unbake to provide basics such as uniforms, and stationery.
This, he adds has had a negative impact to the learners.
Mr.Ogutu is however quick to note that with the coming in of SCANN, it is a sigh of relief to parents.
“We want to thank SCANN for the gesture because these parents whose children are being supported are really needy. We believe this will help so much in improving our performance in academics,” stated the school head.
It should be noted that SCANN has also set up hot kitchens at Bondeni and Rhonda slums areas where they offer free meals on daily basis courtesy of sponsors.
Shamsher noted that the hot kitchens that were started during the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to serve numerous needy children.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.